Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need help! I had a male and female uro for 6 months now. Unfortunately my male had to be put down last Friday. The vet told me to take the calci-sand out of their tank because the sand can cause blockage (this was not the males problem). I did as I was told and I replaced the sand with reptile carpet, I'm wondering if this is the best to use for bedding since Lizzy loves to burro to sleep. I changed the tank around on Saturday and since I've done this I have noticed Lizzy is not pooping. She has eaten but she has not pooped and her belly is noticable getting bigger and bigger. She has also started to become lethargic to the point of hardly coming out of her tunnel (her new place to sleep) to bask.
I am extremly worried, these uros are my 10 year old sons babies, he just loves them to death and when we had to put Rex down last week he really took it very hard. I don't think he can hadle losing Lizzy. Any suggestions?

I am sorry to hear about your sick pet. First of all I would suggest consulting a caresheet to see if your temps are correct with a basking spot of around 125 and a cool area of about 80ish...as far as the reptile carpet goes..I would not reccomend that either. I don't think that it would hurt her, but uros like to dig. I use millet bird seed (from Wal-Mart w/o sunflower seeds) b/c mine use it as a snack and they can dig. Another option is washed playsand (Lowes/real cheap)--this is what a lot of people use on this site...it can cause impactions though if you aren't careful about the food falling in the substrate...My vet suggested baked (in the oven to make sure that it is clean) potting soil...I haven't tried this yet b/c I would think that it would make them dirty.
What are you feeding her?
Losing a mate can be very stressful for a lizard, especially uros who I have found to be very attached to one another. I bought my male Brutus and seperated him from his woman-later I had to go back and buy the female as well b/c he was too mean for me to do anything with (bit the vet)..since then he is like a puppy.
I would try not to move around the furniture and maybe put her in a quiet place for a while so that she can adjust...but if she is lethargic I would definately take her to see a vet.
Sorry so long, I hope this helps!
Julie
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Julie Redmon
FSU!!!

The reptile carpet shouldn't be bad. My Mali was on it for about 2 years without any problems. She also liked to dig and would scratch at the carpet in her hideout. Check your temps, make sure the food is available, and if she's eating regularly, then I'd say the lethargic condition may pass. If she's not eating I'd be looking to make sure she's staying hydrated. Pedialyte through a neddleless ayringe if needed.

Good luck.
Jim

>>I need help! I had a male and female uro for 6 months now. Unfortunately my male had to be put down last Friday. The vet told me to take the calci-sand out of their tank because the sand can cause blockage (this was not the males problem). I did as I was told and I replaced the sand with reptile carpet, I'm wondering if this is the best to use for bedding since Lizzy loves to burro to sleep. I changed the tank around on Saturday and since I've done this I have noticed Lizzy is not pooping. She has eaten but she has not pooped and her belly is noticable getting bigger and bigger. She has also started to become lethargic to the point of hardly coming out of her tunnel (her new place to sleep) to bask.
>> I am extremly worried, these uros are my 10 year old sons babies, he just loves them to death and when we had to put Rex down last week he really took it very hard. I don't think he can hadle losing Lizzy. Any suggestions?

She is eating and she does seem to be more active today. Problem is she still has not pooped and it has been about a week now. I tried to feel her belly to see if she is impacted but she is quit the squirmy little uro.
I feed her frozen veggies, thawed of course. Veggies consist of green beans (her favorite), carrots, corn, lima beans (she never touches). Sometimes crickets.
Her basking area is 100 degrees and the cool down spot is 80. The vet told me not to turn off her heat lamp at night, but the care sheet I have for my uro says night time temps should be 50-60 degrees. I am new at this, I never had a reptile before. Any suggestions are most appreciated.
I do have an appointment with the vet for Lizzy on Tuesday, I figured since my male was so ill and I had to put him down, I better have her checked to be safe.

I would up your temps in the basking area...also she should be eating mainly greens (not much lettuce or spinach) like collards, mustard, kale, endive, escarole, etc. I use a mix of greens and frozen veggies. Crickets should also be limited. Temps at night should be room temp. I use the PowerSun heat bulb that has UVA/UVB for mine..it gives off the proper heat gradient and has the neccessary UVA/UVB that they need. Go to deerfernfarms.com and print out their caresheet. It is very detailed and should give you the right info.
Glad to hear that she is doing better!
Julie
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Julie Redmon
FSU!!!

As I'm sure all vets have their own oppinions and pratices, mine suggested keeping the heat up around 70 at night when mine was ill. Less time to warm up in the morning and a bit more metabolism going through the night. Also, get some greens in the diet. The more nutritious ones for sure. The frozen veggies are ok, but not as their main source. Collards, mustard, turnup, nappa cabbage, endive, escarole, just to name a few. You can find most, if not all, at your local grocery store, and many times they'll give you a few leaves of each for next to nothing.

Jim

>>She is eating and she does seem to be more active today. Problem is she still has not pooped and it has been about a week now. I tried to feel her belly to see if she is impacted but she is quit the squirmy little uro.
>> I feed her frozen veggies, thawed of course. Veggies consist of green beans (her favorite), carrots, corn, lima beans (she never touches). Sometimes crickets.
>> Her basking area is 100 degrees and the cool down spot is 80. The vet told me not to turn off her heat lamp at night, but the care sheet I have for my uro says night time temps should be 50-60 degrees. I am new at this, I never had a reptile before. Any suggestions are most appreciated.
>> I do have an appointment with the vet for Lizzy on Tuesday, I figured since my male was so ill and I had to put him down, I better have her checked to be safe.