How can you tell if your tegu has eaten mulch?

[Matt0925]

I am likely just being an overly worried new parent, but I would rather be safe than sorry. I just got one of Bobby's extremes a little over a week ago. His substrate is cypress mulch. I have been feeding in the enclosure on a plate just becuase the little guy wants nothing to do with me at this point. He is becoming more trusting, however any time my hand gets near him he runs for his hide.

In any case, tonight he has me a bit worried. Today I fed him ground turkey with cod liver oil and the calcium powder. Today was the first day with the powder as I didn't have it before today. He did not eat much today, it looks like about one bite. Now I know this isn't too big a deal, however yesterday he did not eat much either. I made him a hard boiled egg. I saw him eat some of it, but not much. The day before that was turkey and cod liver oil.

The thing is, tonight his stomach looks huge. I cant pick him up to feel if it is hard or not. Also, I have not seen much poop in the cage either, however at his size I have noticed it tends to be pretty small, so it is very possible I could just be missing it.

Any thoughts? Does it sound like I am just worrying? In the morning should I just grab him and give him a soak even if it upsets him? Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[kellen.watkins]

I would just in case, I don't think it would be a huge deal just don't do it if he's in his hide but if you gotta chase him down once I don't think it would hurt, when you feed in the tank too try putting a shrt or paper towel in the corner its been doing wonders for me

 

[tora]

I've always just went after them so long as they weren't in their hide, and my tegus are just fine. You probably should give it a soak.

 

[Matt0925]

Ok. I will grab him in the morning and soak him. I think I saw somewhere in water about 85*? At his small size is the bathtub safe? Thanks for the replys. God knows its nothing, but I hate for it to be something.

 

[herpgirl2510]

I wouldn't worry just give him a soak I do it in my regular tub in warm water I have no idea what the temp is.

 

[Matt0925]

That did not go well. I tried to grab him, however he was not having it. He ran from me, when I got near him he tail whiped me then ran again. I called it quits just because I figured it was a bad idea to chase him around.

On the other hand, he did look thinner today, so I am guessing he ate more than I thought yesterday and I was just overly worried.

 

[herpgirl2510]

I am always worried about at least one of my lizards everyday it is easy to do.