Violent Tremors/Seizures?

[mysterysock]

Recently my beardie has been randomly going into serious seizure-like convulsions. He will put his head in the corner and begin to violently contort his body, then his legs and tail will start twitching and he will hold his mouth open really wide and gape a few times. All his temps/lighting/vitamins and everything are perfect, I have no idea what it could be. And I know he isn't dehydrated. Does anyone have any idea what this is and what could cause it? Also, does anyone happen to know any trustworthy herp vets in the Memphis area? He's really beginning to worry me. It would happen on occasion when I first got him, but today it has already happen like 5 times. The vet in my area is out of town so I need to get him somewhere tomorrow. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[momofonebeardie]

How old is he? How long have you had him? I have not heard of this before. What substrate are you using? Could he have had something stuck in his throat? Is he still pooping okay?

 

[mysterysock]

He's about 3mo old. And there is nothing that could get stuck in his throat. He's been eating tiny crickets. Actually he didn't eat today at all. He ate 1 of the crickets. And I use repticarpet and have no loose items in the cage. I don't believe he's asphyxiating. It happens when he scratches at the glass like he's trying to get out (which is normal, he does it quite often), but it seems like when he gets worked up he starts doing it.

 

[Tatty]

Can you do an internet search for a reptile vet? You really need to get him somewhere ASAP :shock: His life could depend on it.

Tatty

 

[Kazul]

What light bulb are you using?

If it is a seizure, you'll want to take all climbing items out of his cage so he can't fall off them, at least until you're sure it's safe. When the convulsions start, try and keep him calm and quiet. When our Squirrel had her seizures, we kept her quiet and dark until morning. She also had them when she'd get too worked up.

 

[scalesandtales]

what is your tank setup like? uvb type?temps? substrate? how close can he get to the uvb? food ?

 

[mysterysock]

I use the reptisun 10 and a 75w halogen, both on a screen. He usually sits on his hide/hut which is about 8" directly below the uvb and around 95 degrees. On his basking log, the temp reads about 105 under the halogen when he perches there. I use the repticarpet (no substrate) and feed him about 10 tiny crickets 2-3 times and lately small waxworms (very temporary food resolution). I have an appointment tomorrow morning so we'll see what they say. :? . I hate it for the little guy. All I can do is watch him when he starts going into his spasms. If I put my hand in there he'll wiggle and lay on my hand until he's done

 

[scalesandtales]

when was the last time he pooped?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Do you supplement calcium? The screen, is it really really fine screen? If it is, the UVB is most likely not going through the screen.
Or, is there a plastic lens covering the Reptisun 10 bulb? If so, take it off immediately as that will filter out ALL of the UVB rays. Are you using the flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light?

Try looking on: http://www.herpvetconnection.com to help find a reptile vet.
It sounds like advanced metabolic bone disease.


Tracie

 

[Tatty]

I have seen young beardies do this sometimes when they weren't metabolizing calcium. Please let us know what you find out at the vet. :silent:

Tatty

 

[Kazul]

That was why Squirrel was having her seizures. She wasn't getting enough calcium. If powdered supplement isn't working, there's always liquid calcium.

 

[Tatty]

Try giving the beardie a couple drops of liquid calcium on a daily basis til you see the vet. Pharmaceutical grade Neo-calglucagon can be picked up at a human pharmacy without a prescription. :idea:

Tatty

 

[ElisasDragons]

I have had this happen to a few of my babies. It has always been related to eating to big of crickets. They can become paralyzed or have seizures if the prey is too big. Soak in a warm bath and make sure they are pooping. Another cause could be Ca deficiency. If they are to far from the UVB, they they are not metabolizing the Ca. Try feeding smaller prey and giving a Ca boost.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Any updates for us??

Tracie

 

[mysterysock]

Yes we seen the vet today and he said he would let me know something within 24 hours to determine what tests we need to run. There isn't a specialist in my area (I had to drive an hour and a half just to find this guy), so he referred me to another in Memphis so I'll schedule an appointment with him as well to see what his opinions are. And yes he's been pooping fine. There is no plastic on the light and it is not a very fine screen. Its more of a grated screen with large holes. Do I need to raise his log closer to the uvb? I've been supplying sufficient calcium through Allen Repashy's dragon dust (him and I had a lengthy conversation concerning his product integrity). However, I'm considering switching to the RepCal to see if any immediate differences take place. The vet did recommend me getting some liquid calcium so I'm gonna pick some up tomorrow at the pharmacy. On a better note, he did not have any episodes on the way to the vet or at the vet. It only happened once a little later after we got home when he was scratching at the glass again. I'll post as soon as the vet gets back to me with his results. Thanks guys