Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 24" black throat monitor that has been having some motor problems. I took him to the most knowledgeable vet that I knew of in my area that deals with exotics but they didn't know what was wrong, thought maybe he had muscle fatigue and suggested the purchase of a uv light. So when I upgraded his enclosure I installed a uv. He's walking a bit better (carrying him self more rather than dragging) but he seems more unstable and wobbly. I feed crickets by tongs and when he goes to grab it he veers off to the side and misses it completely. Has anyone else experienced this and/or could give me some advice?!?!?

Enclsure/Misc. Details: Hope it Helps Some
6x2x2 melamine
Jungle beding 4", logs everywhere, 1 hides on each side, big water bowel in the middle.
Its been hot lately so its any where from 80-88 on the cool side and around 95 on the hot side with 125 under heat lamp.

This guy eats anything, mainly on a diet of rat pinkies, crickets, and hornworms.

I'm not sure about this issue you're having, but just thought I'd offer some advice on the set-up.

Try lowering the basking light, or elevating the basking site so that the basking temp is at least 130/140.

This is a temporary cage I assume? The jungle bedding is not the best thing to use (but no bid deal for a temp cage), but I'd add a sweaterbox or something and fill it with damp top soil/sand mix.
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Mike Heinrich,
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
www.amazontreeboa.org

I appreciate it greatly that you responded to my post, I was worried that no one would and no one seems to know exactly whats wrong. You are correct it's just a temp cage and I used the supplies I had. It doesn't have a tall enough lip to put a lot of substrate in it, but I'll definitely give the sweater box a try and I put a fat log that reaches up near the light (there is a cage around the light so he can't touch it) to try and raise the basking temp for him. I can't, or at least I'm not comfortable with it, turn up the bulb too much or it over heats the cage, up to 95 on the cool side. He seams pretty active so far, spending equal amounts on both sides of the cage.
Is there anything else that I can tell that could give some insight to his problem, would a video help?

Have you thought of metabolic bone disease? Please look that up on the Internet. I do not see anything you are saying about calcium and vitamin D powder on those insects.