Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

2 weeks ago I recieved a wild caught male female pair of Phelsuma dubia from LLL Reptile. Both arrived with somewhat sunken eyes but otherwise apeared healthy. 4 days after they arrived my male died which was very strange because he apeared the healthiest of the two. My female seems to be doing alright (eating both crickets and baby food mixture, active during the day, decent colors, eyes are no longer sunken) except for two main things:

1) There are some very tiny bright red dots on her. They are the size of one of her scales. I first noticed them about a week ago. One was near her eye. That one went away but now there are 3 on one of her back legs and another one near her front arm. The only way I can describe them is that they are bright red tiny raised bumps or circles. Any idea what they are?

2) She occasionally gapes her mouth and twitches her head. This mostly happened during the first week but over this last second week I've noticed it a few times. It starts with her mouth opening and then closing a few times and then sometimes right afterwards she will shake her head to one side as if she is trying to shake or pull something off of it. I've never seen this before, any ideas?

I'm thinking that I should probably take her to a vet to get her checked out but before I go and spend the $50 I'd like to get some other people's oppinions. Please reply with any advice that you can give. Thanks for your help in advance,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
1.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
0.1 Hyla chrysoscelis or versicolor
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

Ummmm arnt the red dots just part of her coloration? The head thing sounds like shes trying to get shed the shed off or just yawning.

Yep, the dubia will get some nice deep red blotches on their back. I wish it was her coloring but the red is not in the right place and the red dots are tiny, they are the size of one scale and are raised as if they were swollen like a popped blood vessle or something. I think you might be right, she might have been shedding, it honestly just didn't occur to me but I'll keep an eye on her anyways. Any other suggestions? Thanks,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
1.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
0.1 Hyla chrysoscelis or versicolor
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

WC days often arrive in bad condition, with mites and parasite all over them. I would go to the vet and get a fecal done, just to make sure. And as for the head shaking...It could be shedding, but Ive heard when bearded dragons do that, they often have nerve or brain damage...I doubt this is the case. Or she could just be too hot....whenever my days bask, they usually open their mouth to get rid of heat. Id lower the basking watts, and see what happens. Good Luck
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azureus06 I keep: Eublepharis macularius, Phelsuma M. Grandis, Phelsuma Laticauda, Stenodactylus Petrii, Rhacodactylus Ciliatus, Anolis sp., Agalychnis Callidryas, Hyla Cinerea, Mantella Aurantiaca, Mantella madagascariensis, Dendrobates Azureus azureus06

Baby bearded shake their heads if they got a chronic disease. I dont think it occurs in geckos though. We've hatched hundreds of beardeds at my pet store and about 10% die of this. From what I've seen, it only shows up early in their life and not later on. This is just my experience though. In any case, I would get the gecko to a vet if you think its an infection or mites and whatnot. Could be bites of some sort.....might help if you take a picture and post it but it may be too small to tell...