MrSpectrum
Gray-bearded Member
As it turns out, this is moot now, but if it helps anyone, great. 
Z has been regular as a clock since I got him early Nov. (except twice when I fasted him to "incentivize" him to eat some greens :roll: ) This week, for the first time ever (I've got a list of the past week's "firsts" for a different post :laughing6: ), he didn't leave me a stinkie for 3 days.
I figured he might be a little bound up from eating a few super worms. No panic or real concern--I figured he'd leave his gift that keeps on giving when the mood struck. He gets this look that says, "I got the urge... the urge to purge"--then he does... purge. :roll:
Anyhoo, his behavior has been markedly different the past few days. He's been listless, not basking, not eating, and hiding under his tower. He even slept in hiding. He actually looked like he was in obvious discomfort, which kinda surprised me; I'd always read that reptiles--like some other animals--tend to hide their complaints.
So this morning I gave him a nice warm (95°F) soak for half an hour. Nothing. So I put him back in his enclosure and he just laid there. So I moved him atop his basking tower, and came into my office to get on here. About a half hour later, DW calls in, "You've got a present here--right on the paper towel", which is perfect--he's paper-trained, and apparently felt better enough to come down to make his deposit in the appropriate place. It was GINORMOUS! ? Another "first". I had to take a pic, but I won't gross anyone out by posting it.
He's feeling much better now! :laughing6:
MORAL: When these things happen, don't panic, but do observe. Don't telegraph your fear/concern/stress to the animal; if they can pick up on that, it will only compound their stress. Do the common sense stuff (soak in warm H20, feed fruit or fresh aloe, etc.) and let nature take its course. Contacting a herp vet is a judgment call, so let your best common sense & good judgment guide you.
Z has been regular as a clock since I got him early Nov. (except twice when I fasted him to "incentivize" him to eat some greens :roll: ) This week, for the first time ever (I've got a list of the past week's "firsts" for a different post :laughing6: ), he didn't leave me a stinkie for 3 days.
I figured he might be a little bound up from eating a few super worms. No panic or real concern--I figured he'd leave his gift that keeps on giving when the mood struck. He gets this look that says, "I got the urge... the urge to purge"--then he does... purge. :roll:
Anyhoo, his behavior has been markedly different the past few days. He's been listless, not basking, not eating, and hiding under his tower. He even slept in hiding. He actually looked like he was in obvious discomfort, which kinda surprised me; I'd always read that reptiles--like some other animals--tend to hide their complaints.
So this morning I gave him a nice warm (95°F) soak for half an hour. Nothing. So I put him back in his enclosure and he just laid there. So I moved him atop his basking tower, and came into my office to get on here. About a half hour later, DW calls in, "You've got a present here--right on the paper towel", which is perfect--he's paper-trained, and apparently felt better enough to come down to make his deposit in the appropriate place. It was GINORMOUS! ? Another "first". I had to take a pic, but I won't gross anyone out by posting it.
He's feeling much better now! :laughing6:
MORAL: When these things happen, don't panic, but do observe. Don't telegraph your fear/concern/stress to the animal; if they can pick up on that, it will only compound their stress. Do the common sense stuff (soak in warm H20, feed fruit or fresh aloe, etc.) and let nature take its course. Contacting a herp vet is a judgment call, so let your best common sense & good judgment guide you.
