Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently rescued a golden tegu but it appears to have a little mental problem. Taz has a way of lookin at you funny and when he does so he is rocking back and forth also he kind of tilts his head like he is reaching for his shoulder but looking at upward. Some times he just loses it and runs all about the cage and also into the glass then just lays back and lays there till he feels like moving again. Ever if that means laying on his side like hes dead. When we pick him up after one of these episodes he does that thing with his head and just looks at us. He does not try to bite or act intimated by us. Is this something that is possible?

does it look like spasm cramps? one possiblity could be, that he lacks calcium and proper vitamins. get some food supplement for reptiles.

an other possiblity is, that he is simply stressed. be sure to give him multiple hiding spots.

and one more possiblity might be, that he got parasites. if you are sure that the reason for his behaviour isnt stress, better take him to a vet.

best regards

ingo

never heard of it in a tegu but it sounds kind of like star gazing. Nobody really understands it completely. could be neurological and he may grow out of it. It is also possible that something he ate is pushing on a nerve. Try warm baths and gentle massage. Sorry I cant be more help. I think a vet is your best bet.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

It's not normal and I suspect you may be seeing an animal with a viral infection . I would get it as far away from Taz as I possibly could especially since this came from a pet shop (exposed to may other different animals that are imported and could possibly be be very ill )

Make an appointment with a vet ASAP as you do not want this speading most viruses that cause this type head movements are not cureable and spread rampantly . In all of the years I have been keeping tegus I have never seen this in a tegu but I don't mess with any imports and I don't bring in any new tegus .

I've seen viral infections whipe out entire colonies of bearded dragons , monitors , and boas where sick animals displayed this "stargazing " head movements .

At best the animal was just physically injured and has neurological type damage but I would not chance it . If I saw this in any animal that was near my tegu collection I would be freaking out .

Quarentine all new animals especially if they come from a source that handles any kind of imports. If they are showing any signs of being sick or ill it is not worth the chancing bringing them into a collection . Rescues like this can quickly go sour and are best left to the care of people who are set up to specifically to handle them (on staff vets , proper quarentine facilities etc. )

Stella St.Pierre
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Stella St.Pierre
www.bluetegu.com