Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a scare last night. my little Aztec! I couldn't find him in the cage. after a few moments I heard him drop down. he was inside the little coconut dome, apparently getting out of the heat. which is fine, that's what that's for. but then he flipped onto his side and started convulsing!! I honestly thought he was about to die! in a panic I turned off the heat lamp, thinking he might have overheated (temp was about 95, but he's tolerated worse), and lifted the top to let some of the heat out.

the seizures lasted only a few seconds, at which time he flipped back onto all fours and just kind of sat there. and today he's still sitting there under that dome. every time I've checked on him, he's been under there. I haven't tried to feed him yet today. I'm worried about him. I know he's alive, because he moves, and reacts in the usual way, with head turns and scuttling. but he just stays under that dome, even with the temperature down.

I'm thinking it's time for a new setup, with more space and a place at the other end he can go to to get out of the heat. I'm also keeping it misted in there, with a tiny cup of water, so humidity probably isn't the issue.

anyone have any reassuring thoughts? I'd get him to a vet, but I live out around the countryside, where the vet sees more horses than dogs.

thanks in advance,
~~Kim
Her Sacred Temple

hi,

Anoles could start convulsing when they are stressed. They go into a shock. Especialy anoles seem to have this pretty often.
They could stay in it so i would be carefull with stress (you wanted to change the setup?). He will probably be ok for now but i would wait with changing the setup.

with kind regards,

Thomas Dros

"I'm thinking it's time for a new setup, with more space and a place at the other end he can go to to get out of the heat. I'm also keeping it misted in there, with a tiny cup of water, so humidity probably isn't the issue. "

That's probably the best thing you can do at this moment. That's why it's so important to give these guys their space and a good temperature gradient.

About him staying under the dome... that should be expected. Convulsions in any animal are very stressful and require some physical recovery time. It will probably feel weak for a little bit, and just make sure it eats well.

Always remember to only have about or less than 1/3 of the tank hot like that. The rest of the tank should be room temperature with the warm spot. 95*F is fine for the warm spot if it's a brown, a little too high for a green, but shouldn't cause problems if the animal has a chance to get cooler temps, too. And it doesn't have to be that hot, either, so moving the lamp back could help.
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