Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey guys need some help.my 6" savannah is not walking like a savannah .he doesn't lift his rear body off of the ground when he walks.i use a calcium powder on his food when he eats.what do you guys and or gals think could be the problem.

thanks eric r

Your problem is your overall husbandry. If you were an experienced keeper, you would know that you MUST include detailed setup info to expect any kind of specific reply.

Since you did not, I am going to go ahead and take a shot in the dark (not really) and say that it is your overall husbandry, especially temperatures.

ambient should be 84 or so, basking should be 130F.

Check out the Savannah Monitor book at our site, GET THAT BOOK, and check out our Savannah caresheet, along with the rest of our monitor FAQ, for info on how you can save that monitor NOW.

If your animal is already in this bad of shape, you don't have much time to save its life, it is in dire straits right now. Best of luck.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

More times than not, by the time symptoms are noticed, it is too late to save the animal.

There are exceptions, good luck.

It could be several different things, ranging from MBD to impaction to injury.

From your comments it appears that you suspect MBD. MBD, if caught at the onset of symptoms, is usually reversible. Are you dusting the crickets with a calcium product that also contains vitamin D3? You should be. Actually, I suggest feeding it mice pinkies for awhile instead of crickets.

If it hasn't defecated lately, or has defecated very little, try soaking it in tepid water that comes up to the lower part of the sav's shoulders. I'd let it soak for about 30 minutes or so at a time, a few times a day until it does have a good bowel movement.

Is there anything in the sav's cage that could've fell on it, injuring it?

More details about the cage setup & the sav's conditions would help pinpoint the cause. There are a lot of people here that can & will help you but you need to give us more to go on.

Best wishes!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

hillbilly now i think about it he hasn't defacated in about 5 days.i feed pinkies about twice a week and dust crickets and superworms every time i feed them.he has 115 basking light,under tank heating and uvb.so i think my husbentry is correct.so thanks for the help and nnot for jumpin to conclusions about i improperly care for my animal.

thanks bro

who is jumping to conclusions? you have still provided only the most basic incomplete info, and it isn't very good either.

people with poor husbandry and dying monitors post here ALL THE TIME. you aren't the first, won't be the last, it is the same thing again and again. a specific pattern. it has gone on for YEARS.

YOUR HUSBANDRY is the concern. no, it is not "good", much less perfect. the info is posted for you to find good husbandry info, it is up to you to take advantage.

don't take it personal, it is about the monitor, not you.

get the book.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

If I understands Robyns post correctly and yours. Your temp of 115 is to low for a basking spot. Would I be correct on that.
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

Sorry
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0.2 Rotts
1.0 Super Tiger
1.0 Amel Retic
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python
1.0 Green Ananconda
1.0 Emerald Tree Boa

Eric,
How is your sav doing now? Did it defecate after soaking? Is it walking like it should?

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

hillbilly yes hedid and he is not vent dragging.thanks bro

Good. I'm glad to hear it's doing better.

Have you researched what could've caused it to become impacted? It's usually dehydration, from humidity level being too low. Happens a lot with open-top cages or cages w/screen tops. There's nothing to keep the humidity in the cage.

These types of tops can be covered with aluminum foil, plastic (keep away from heat source to avoid fire), plexiglass, or something else that's nonporous. I suggest leaving anywhere from 1/2 - 1 inch of the cool end uncovered to help create a thermal gradient and natural air flow.

Misting an area of the cage, not the entire cage, every day or however often it's needed will help. Also, when there's a problem with being able to keep the humidity level up I suggest giving them a water bowl big enough for them to soak in. That's not the way it's supposed to be, but it will at least help keep them hydrated until you can get the top fixed right.

Hang in there!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Since you said you are using UV light, you MUST check out proper useage of it here: http://www.uvguide.co.uk/whatreptilesneed.htm
It has the best info out there on correct use of uv lights.

If you are using a power sun bulb or some similar mercury vapor bulb, DON'T be moving it too close to get the 130 degree basking spot.
ADD a halogen bulb if needed to heat the area along w/ it.

Can you post a pic of your set up?

Best of luck.
Todd G.
Link