8 month old with twitching leg

[Jennifer Frossard]

I have an 8 month old that has twitching in his right leg. I called the vet this mourns they can’t get him in till Tuesday. He has a UVB tube that runs the length of his enclosure. His temps on the cool side is 85, hot side 95, and basking at 120. His humidity is at 75%. He gets a mouse every Saturday and I dust his food with calcium and D3 every other day. What am I doing wrong? I am so worried about him.

 

[TripleTegus]

It sounds like your doing everything right from here. Maybe a little more humidity. Unfortunately things just happen sometimes that are totally out of your control. I don't think a leg twitch is detrimental so you would probably be alright until Tuesday I would say.

 

[Dylan koch]

I would give supplements with d3 maybe uvb light is defective? Also in my opinion a 8 month old needs to eat alot more often than once a week!! I suggest feed daily or every other day until adult

 

[Jennifer Frossard]

Thanks everyone. I do feed him twice a day everyday, sorry if I was confusing about that. The vet took xrays and blood work and he is perfect. She thinks he sprained his foot some how and has put him on a pain killer. Thanks for all the answers you guys gave!

 

[Walter1]

That's good news. A relief, even.

Not a bad idea to vary amount a t feeding and even skip a day from time to time. Let him clean out his GI tract.

 

[Godzilla Earth]

Not a bad idea to vary amount a t feeding and even skip a day from time to time. Let him clean out his GI tract.

plus, thats what ussually happens in nature so it might seem more natural to him

 

[Debita]

I agree with the others about feeding. I think yours is old enough to not be eating every day. When they're babies, they need food every day, but I noticed my female just naturally wasn't even interested to eat every day when she was 8 mos.

We had someone else recently that had a twitchy tegu leg prob - so this is good info for future reference.

 

[Dylan koch]

I wouldn't feed twice a day once is fine unless you need to for meds

 

[Jennifer Frossard]

Thanks everyone. Should I cut back to once a day then every other day. He eats all his food for breakfast and dinner. Also, is he to old for insects? He refuses to even look at them. I’m new to all this so helpful advice is surely welcomed!

 

[Debita]

Thanks everyone. Should I cut back to once a day then every other day. He eats all his food for breakfast and dinner. Also, is he to old for insects? He refuses to even look at them. I’m new to all this so helpful advice is surely welcomed!

Yes you can cut back the feeding times, and no, he's not too old, but he might not like insects and is happy with other stuff you feed. At 8 months, I kind of tried to let my female let me know when she was hungry. I had already been told to only feed once every other day by the Tegusonly guy down in Florida when I purchased my year old male, so I went with his advice and it's worked for 2 yrs now.

Everyone here looks forward to questions.

 

[AlphaAlpha]

Alpha did exactly the same with insects at about that age and one day just decided he no longer liked them.

Also at 8 months and coming into summer I believe your tegus appetite will be through the roof..... I'd cut down to once a day to save on messing around but be warned bigger portions may be needed....

That summer Alpha (Colombian Tegu) was doing 5 mice EVERY DAY or equivalent in a variety of stuff .......... TO NOW.......... 3 mice or equivalant every 2 to 3 days.

Don't know if others had the same experience.

 

[Debita]

Alpha did exactly the same with insects at about that age and one day just decided he no longer liked them.

Also at 8 months and coming into summer I believe your tegus appetite will be through the roof..... I'd cut down to once a day to save on messing around but be warned bigger portions may be needed....

That summer Alpha (Colombian Tegu) was doing 5 mice EVERY DAY or equivalent in a variety of stuff .......... TO NOW.......... 3 mice or equivalant every 2 to 3 days.

Don't know if others had the same experience.

I agree - and from Tegu to Tegu it can vary. But, mine go hide after I've exhausted their appetite - for that 2-3 day time period. So - I'd say my Tegus have landed into a similar rhythm. I don't feed as many mice, but they get at least 1 along with other meats/fish on feed days.

 

[Godzilla Earth]

I agree - and from Tegu to Tegu it can vary. But, mine go hide after I've exhausted their appetite - for that 2-3 day time period. So - I'd say my Tegus have landed into a similar rhythm. I don't feed as many mice, but they get at least 1 along with other meats/fish

My snake, (who escaped again today) also does the same. as soon as he eats, he stays in his hiding spot for days

 

[Jennifer Frossard]

Ok, I’m beyond confused. My guy has lose stools so back to the vet we went. They found parasites. How could he have gotten parasites? I understand how my beardie can get them or my gecko but Nigel doesn’t eat insects or worms. Do I need to clean his entire enclosure out now. Thank you for all your help.

 

[Godzilla Earth]

yeah, cleaning the cage would be a good idea, mabey some fly came and got into the water bowel and relesed a bunch of parisited but idk

 

[Debita]

I would def disinfect and then clean with a mild soap, or reptile cleaner. Throw out the substrate....etc. Might be that all that isn't necessary, but how do we know?

 

[Jennifer Frossard]

I just don’t get it? I’m stumped about this whole thing. I will have to go to Lowe’s and buy all new substrate for him and clean his house thoroughly.

 

[Godzilla Earth]

I know, pain in the butt, but better clean than have a sick tegu or another vet bill

 

[Jennifer Frossard]

Thanks for the support everyone. I really appreciate it.

 

[Debita]

I just don’t get it? I’m stumped about this whole thing. I will have to go to Lowe’s and buy all new substrate for him and clean his house thoroughly.

Good news is that you caught it in time. Don't be too dismayed. What medication did the vet give you?