Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two new uros from Doug Dix. One I got 3 weeks ago and one a week ago - a male and a female. Both are very skittish and not eating yet. They spend all day hiding in their cave and sometimes come out to bask. My question is about the millet that I have them on. I know Doug recommends it, but I've been having a problem lately and I don't know if its normal or not. A few days ago I noticed a piece of millet stuck at the tip of Maya's mouth. It had some crusty st stuff around it like dried puss. I gently removed the seed and it immediately began to bleed. Not a lot, just a drop until it stopped. I cleaned it up and removed the crusty stuff and put Neosporin on it. She hasn't had a reocurrance yet. Until yesterday, Houdini (my male) had one stuck in his lip too. It also had a crusty puss caked around it but it didn't bleed when I removed it.

My question is... does this happen with everyone elses uro's that are on millet? Is this normal? I might decide to replace the millet with papertowels until they are eating and more healthy.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

I've not had any such problems with the millet, though I only just started using it a couple weeks ago. I've not witnessed any millet sticking to any part of my guys' bodies. Could it possibly have anything to do with their earlier problems? What was wrong with Maya? Was Doug Dix able to figure it out? If she's on any medication, maybe it's messing with her skin - making it delicate. Or how about humidity making the seeds sticky - what does your hygrometer read? I don't know what else to suggest.
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

I personally have used millet on many occassions and never had any problem with it. If their mouth is crusty, have you contacted Doug about it? They guarantee the health of their animals and maybe it was a pre-existing condition he could help you out with. Sounds like maybe they are vitamin deficient (it can make a sort of crusty mouth) or it could be some other infection if its pussy.

I'd get in touch with Doug right away. Its normal for them not to be eating yet while they are acclimating but doubt it has anything to do with the millet.

Also, do you have water in their cage? Maybe their mouth is just wet from drinking and it happens to be sticking to it. Water can be offered after they have just been shipped to someone. Maybe even try some soaks to make sure they aren't dehydrated too.

Good luck!
Renee

Hi,
I have kept my male mali on millet for over a year and I haven't had any problems. Like others suggested, I would call Deerfern and let them know. I've never heard, or seen, this problem...I'm not sure if it's the substrate, but I'd still call Doug. Hope your uros get better.
~Sarah
1.0 Mali Uromastyx (Draco)
1.0 Russian Tortoise (Pookie)
4.5.22 Millipedes (6 different species)