Hey folks, I have two Niger Uromastyx I have had for 5 years with no health problems at all. Every year around this time they lay eggs and this year was no differant. But my more out going uro just recently started acting dizzy when looking up and has a hard time biting it's food when it sees it. It has even stumbled over a few times. This has been going on now for a few days. I noticed the eggs in the sand a couple days ago. but now she wont even sleep in her burrowing spot like she has for 5 years. She just lays under the ceramic heater and sleeps in the open. Her eyes are bright, she has no wounds, I handled her yesterday and other than seeming dizzy { her head bobing up and down when she looks around} She seems healthy. I have had them on their winter cycle for a couple of months shortening the time the heat lamp is on and so on. I noticed for about 3 weeks she never seemed to come out of the burrow. But I figured it had to do with the laying of her eggs. She eats as normal and does not seem dehydrated. I have a uv light and a ciramic heater which is on all the time with a under tank heater in the cool end of the tank. I keep a small dish of water in there tank they use maybe once a week or so. I feed them bok choy, turnup greens and dandilions some which they love. But only ones I know have not been sprayed. I have kept them on this cycle for 5 years now with no problems and now this. I'm worried can you guy's give me some help? Thanks Shane.
If your Uro is sitting out all day in the basking spot then something is definately not right - the "dizzyness" is odd as well. A couple questions... - Do you have a digital thermometer? If so, what are the temps in the basking spot? If not - you definately want to buy a digital thermometer to measure the temps (any other type of thermometer is extremely in-acurate) and make sure the basking temps are 120-130 degrees. If the temps are too low then that might be why the uro is basking all the time. - Are you seeing any twitching of the toes, limbs etc? I wonder if calcium deficiency is playing a roll especially since this started right after laying eggs. Do you supplement the food with calcium? Bottom line - this girl should see a vet asap to find out whats going on. If you dont already have a good herp vet then check www.herpvetconnection.com or www.arav.org to find a good herp vet in your area. A good herp vet is your best bet at this point - somethig is definately up with your Uro and it would be best to get it checked out immediately.
Hi Shane, ikermalli pm'ed me about your post so here I am My first "gut" reaction is a neurological disorder, possibly caused by the recent egg laying, a lack of calcium and multi-vits. I was thinking she may not have had much time, to build up her strength, between coming out of brumation and laying the eggs. I'm not saying this is the case as I'm NOT an expert on uro's laying eggs. You really need to find a good herp vet and have her blood checked for calc/vit deficiency. In the mean time I would try a change of diet, the 3 you mentioned are not really high in calcium, try endives, escarole are very good. Have a look at beautiful dragons nutrician sheet, the ones marked in green are the best, with high calcium and a good Ca ratio. Dust her food daily with calcium and 2x a week with multi-vits. What UVB are you using and how old is it ?. A good 10% tube (Repti-sun 10%) or MVB would certainly help her make her own D3 You said the UV and heater is on all the time, I hope this is not 24/7 as your post suggests, I'm sure it's the way it was worded, they should have 12 hrs on and 12 off, with the ceramic providing the night temps if needed. Have a look HERE for a good vet near you, if you dont already know one. A check-up by a vet is strongly recommended. Hope this helps EDIT you beat me again M
Thanks for the replys everyone. I talked to the vet today and she thinks its a calcium deficentcy from laying of the eggs. She has moved back into her burrowing spot again which makes me feel better. No the uv and spot light are only on during the day hours and are on timers. I will change her diet and give her calcium supliments on her food starting tomarrow. I haven't noticed any twitching of her toes at all. The Vet said I should start boosting their calcium intake a month or so before they lay eggs and then after for a short time. I'm using a repto glow 8.0 uvb 15 watt. It is fairly old I will replace it as well tomarrow. I will keep you posted. Thanks again. Shane.
Hi Shane, Thats good to hear it's not serious A change in diet and extra cal/vits etc should do the trick. I would definitely replaced the UV tube and go for the higher one REPTISUN 10%, uro's need high UVB. I would advise you to change from the ReptiGLO lamps as they have been proven to have problems with the incorrect output, so go with the ReptiSUN they are far more reliable. Keep us posted. EDIT Just a thought add a container, small bottle top will do, full of calcium in tank so she can help herself, can be left in at all times
Funny you should mention the retisun 10.0 uvb that is what I bought. My inclosure for them is only 18 inches high so it should do well. I also bought a calcium supplement with D3 in it as well. It makes since now, I noticed her eating small pieces of sand just to be doing it. I guess she was trying to get some calcium. I also uped their lighting times to 12 hour intervals which is what I do normally. But switched it for them in the winter trying to keep their cycles as normal as possible. SHE IS OUT AND MOVING AROUND SOME! The bobbling of her head is still there but not as bad I don't think. She hasn't eatin any food with the calcium on it but I'm sure she will. Thanks again, I will keep you posted.
Good to hear about the reptisun 10, they are really good. It would be a good idea to have it as low as 6" above usual basking spot. I've heard they give out a good solarmeter reading at that distance around 200uW/cm2,... 350 being close to natural sunlight so pretty good output. If this doesnt work or takes a long time, then possibly a vet trip for a calcium injection but thats a long way off yet. You can get liquid calcium, maybe try that, drop few drops on nose she may just lick it off.
