Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have noticed one of my young collards has gotten twitchy legs and trouble walking and catching food. i think it might be a nerve disorder or something but im really not sure. its cagemate is the same age(7 months)and slightly larger, has no trouble at all is eating fine and active. i have them under a 50 watt uva bulb about 13 hours a day, and offer water every other day, my friend's pair(from same clutch) had the twitchy thing for a bit, but got over it. i try vitamin powder, but they seem almost scared of the white crickets. please help me, i love him very much, any help would be more than wonderful, pheve, maybe you know?........

I have heard on this site that if they don't get enough calcium it causes them to get twitchy. Some one else could probably answer your question better.

Morgan

i get confused about the lamps, but i think you need a UVB lamp to help them absorb calcium, like the long tube lights. what is their basking temp like?

anyway, it sounds like he has MBD. you should probably get him to a vet. they have this wonderful calcium syrup that you can give to your lizard. also if you want to help him get some calcium in him until you can get to the vet, i would dilute the calcium in water and then take a needleless syringe and offer it to him, like you were offering him water.

also if your lizards don't like the calcium powder, switch brands, i know that sounds weird but it can make a difference. also when you gutload your crickets, sprinkle calcium on the food they eat so it is in their stomachs. just make sure you are buying calcium that has a 2:0 calcium/phos ratio

oh one more thing, is the lizard within 12 inches of the UVB light? if it is further away than that, usually the light is too weak
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vonnie
***The first law of dietetics seems to be: if it tastes good, it's bad for you. — Issac Asimov ***

He's not walking right would lead me to believe your having some calcium defientcy problems. They get rickets, and sorta drag their back legs funny or walk with a wobble. (begining of Metabolic Bone Diease)
If this is whats going on without calcium therapy and good UVB lighting he will only get more crippled up along with other problems.

If you get him to the Vet and start calcium treatments, and use a good UVB light, this can atleast stop and may get much better.

I always keep calcium syrup on hand now for this. And another thing that sometimes causes twitchiness can be a vitimin B deficiency.

But from your description sounds more like calcium problem. Better to get him checked now for everything then you will know for sure how to prevent this in the future. They can give him immediate calcium injection that would be good.

Let us know how ya make out.
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PHEve / Eve

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Need Calcium!!!!!! Need UVB LIGHT!!!!!! People please do your reasearch before owning any animal. Theses are living creatures who only have ONE chance at life. NOT SOME KINDA OF TOY!

Many of us at some point , or certain circumstances, and sometimes it is not becuase we have not tried to do whats right.

Many times it will be females after laying eggs that will twitch even though they have been supplimented before and during, but just seems it is not enough (at times)

BEST thing is really natural sun light whenever possible.

I know what your saying as some people fail to read care sheets before they get an animal, and the animal suffers. But many do try and do get the proper things needed and things happen.

I would hate to have those people feel intimidated, like we are going to judge them, and NOT help them, or worse yet not even bother to ask for help. I guess no matter what the problem they should be able to come here and feel welcome even if we just say we can not help (Go to the Vet)

I know I have had my share of whacky things happen during egg laying and hatching and so forth.
We are never done learning,

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PHEve / Eve

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Yeah thats true and I would hate to make someone feel intimidated in asking question. But I see this thing happend way to offen and its very frustrating. No offence was intended, only a blunt response to somthing very basic. Please learn before not after.

I know where your coming from Aaron, I moderate on many of the lizard forums, and see all kinds of questions, so forth But ya have to calmly answer because SOME people do NOT read care sheets, and if you can HELP that animal in any way, thats who ya have to think of first,

I RESPECTED your post, as I can see how passionate you are about critters, thats a GOOD thing Your a good guy!

But yes there are some irresponsible pet owners who buy first, ask questions after .
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PHEve / Eve

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