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SICK??????

itzniick Aug 27, 2005 06:20 PM

My leo has been acting very strange..
It is eating Fine and doesnt have runny or bloody stools but it seems really lethargic and it shivers sometimes..
I dont know if it is streching or if its cold.
Is this normal?..because i got the leo about 4 days ago..
Could it be stress?

It is also on the a little thin..i feed it about 12-13 dusted small crickets and dust them with reptivite.

Is there another calcium supplement that i am suppose to use...

Thank You

Replies (4)

AlteredMind99 Aug 27, 2005 09:52 PM

Whenever you get a new lizard they are bound to be very stressed, sometimes they behave differently than they usually would because the stress taxes their body.

If you could provide us with a little more info it may help us establish wether you should be worried or not...

Where did you get the leo from? do you know anything about its previous care?
What are the temps, high and low?
What is the substrate?
Is he eating all the crickets you are offering?
How often are you holding him?
About how big is he?
How are you supplementing?

The "shivering" you are talking about, could you describe it a bit more? It could be twitching as is seen with a calcium deficiency, if his previous care was not very good then its likely he had a deficiency before you got him.

Dont handle him, give him a week or so to settle in, make sure he is eating plenty.Bring a fecal sample to the vet as soon as you can get one to assure there are no parasites. If you continue to see tremors i would get him checked
-----
0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
1.1.2 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo, Louise, Orion, Jeffrey Nothing)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)

itzniick Aug 27, 2005 10:55 PM

Where did you get the leo from?
I got The Leo at Petco

do you know anything about its previous care?
They Kept it in sand and a Heat Lamp

What are the temps, high and low?
The Temps are about 90-92 on the hot side and about 82 on the low side It has alot of hides and a humid hide

What is the substrate?
Paper towels
Is he eating all the crickets you are offering?
Yes it just ate 14 small crickets

How often are you holding him?
Once every 2 days

About how big is he?
I think it is a JUV maybe about 5-6 inches

How are you supplementing?
Reptivite

Could it be shedding?
because the skin is paler and i read somewhere that leos become less active when they are about to shed.

And the shaking is like shivering likes its cold
The guy at the petstore said he had the lizards on a reptical supplement and fed the 6 crix a day for only 5 days. My leo is under weight and i am trying to fatten it up.
The breathing looks a little labored too..
I am going to take it to the vet on monday for a fecal exam and a check up. I am really worried because this is my Leo.

Thanx in advance

AlteredMind99 Aug 27, 2005 11:11 PM

it could have a partial impaction from being housed on sand at the pet store. Impactions can sometimes put pressure on the spine causing muscle tremors.

Taking him to the vet is a very good idea. The fact that he is still eating is very good, he could probably be eating a bit more but he is eating so little that it is cause for concern. Watch his food intake closely to amke sure he is still eating while you are waiting for your appointment.

Is he still defecating? If not, give him some warm soaks while you are waiting to go to the vet. Good luck!

-----
0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
1.1.2 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo, Louise, Orion, Jeffrey Nothing)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)

cherribomb Aug 28, 2005 05:19 PM

I think you've already gotten some good advice.

He may be active at night and you just don't notice. Most of mine sleep all day. Only a few come out and run around.

Also, humans/mammals shiver because we have the ability to regulate our body temperature. We can shiver to increase movement/circulation to warm up, sweat to creat a cooling system, etc.

Reptiles can't shiver. They are cold blooded and can't regulate body temp. The are unable to "shiver" like we do. This is why we give them a temperature gradient. If they get too hot, they go to the cool side. If we get too hot, we sweat. If they get cold, they can only move to a warmer area. We shiver, but they cannot.
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Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"

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