possible mbd

[frost]

my extreme i got from bobby has been starting to wake up a little bit. i tried giving him some crickets today and noticed he wasent really using his front feet. his toes were bent in a wierd angel and wasent using them. i didnt have out for very long before he went down but i have been giving him some uvb light when he isnt under substrate. iv been reading that some of the uvb bulbs are crap and i think im going to get one of those power suns. any advice on what are the better ones to get? and just how far gone he in into mbd? seeing him walk around like this really bums me out.

 

[james.w]

What type of UVB bulb are you using and how old is it? Were you using calcium when feeding?

 

[frost]

im not exactly sure what kind the ones im using i got from other people. the few i do have i cant remember the names, but im guessing its probably time to change the bulbs even if they are still good.yes i was using calcium i mix it in with the turkey so they will eat it. i dont any of my bulbs are older that a year or even a few months 5 at the most.

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o i dust the crickets and roaches too.

 

[james.w]

Are they coil, tube or MVB UVB bulbs?

 

[frost]

one or two are the coil and the other two are the tubes.

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the energy saver coils.

 

[james.w]

The coils only work if within the proper distance, but can't be too close otherwise they cause eye problems. The tubes also have to be within the proper distance and should be 10.0 versions, not the 5.0. If you aren't sure what you have I would definitely get a new bulb. I really like the ExoTerra SolarGlo and have used them since I got my Tegu and also used them when I had my Rhino Ig. They are about half the price of the PowerSun as well.

 

[frost]

ahh ok,ill probably make a trip out and get the 10s can u get the solorglos online fora good price? and do you think i will be able to get his toes in working order again?

 

[james.w]

Not sure about online prices, I buy mine from Petsmart. Not sure on the toes, can you post some pics?

 

[frost]

ahh i see, yeah i might be able to get em up today if not tomorrow.

 

[TeguBuzz]

James, what wattage SolarGlo's are you using? I've been using Power Suns for a while but have heard a lot of good about the SolarGlo's.

 

[james.w]

All I have now is a 160w in my tegus enclosure. I tried a PowerSun and he wouldn't bask directly under it. I also had a 125w SolarGlo in my Melinus, Rhino, and Salvator cages when I had them.

 

[laurarfl]

On-line prices are much better than any store. James, I'm surprised you buy from petsmart. They seem so expensive.

I prefer the PowerSun, but everyone has their favorites. I would go with a Mercury vapor over a 10.0, especially if you already suspect MBD creeping in.

Here are some on-line sources for bulbs:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_33

http://www.petmountain.com/category/465/1/reptile-mercury-vapor.html

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-lighting-fluorescent-bulbs/ps/c/6016/6028

 

[frost]

On-line prices are much better than any store. James, I'm surprised you buy from petsmart. They seem so expensive.

I prefer the PowerSun, but everyone has their favorites. I would go with a Mercury vapor over a 10.0, especially if you already suspect MBD creeping in.

Here are some on-line sources for bulbs:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_33

http://www.petmountain.com/category/465/1/reptile-mercury-vapor.html

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-lighting-fluorescent-bulbs/ps/c/6016/6028

thanks.=] i saw some prices online for solorglows for 35 petsmart sells some of their bulbs for $80

 

[laurarfl]

No problem. The pet smart by me has really high prices on bulbs. I know Reptile Supply will price match other web prices, if that does anything for you. They are close to me and ship fast so I like to use them a lot. I've also bought from Pet Mountain with good success and bulbs arrive safe.

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Another thing, Power Sun has a warranty on the bulbs for a year. I'm not sure about the others. if you bulb a bulb, check for any kind of warranty and be sure to send in the card. I've had PowerSuns that blew too soon and they sent me a replacement.

 

[frost]

ahh, ehh the only other pet stores by me are soldans and pet supply plus. iv heard pet mountain as good. do you know how much shipping usually is?

 

[laurarfl]

Errr....I think it goes by how much you purchase.

Reptile Supply shipping. I choose the cheapest route usually.
http://www.reptilesupply.com/shipping.php

Pet mountain has free shipping over $49 w coupon code FREE and flat rate shipping $6.99. I think I bought from them last time because I got some kind of discount on a $200 order and free shipping. Or lights were on sale.
http://www.petmountain.com/content/37/shipping-rates.html

 

[james.w]

On-line prices are much better than any store. James, I'm surprised you buy from petsmart. They seem so expensive.

I prefer the PowerSun, but everyone has their favorites. I would go with a Mercury vapor over a 10.0, especially if you already suspect MBD creeping in.

Here are some on-line sources for bulbs:

http://www.reptilesupply.com/index.php?cPath=26_33

http://www.petmountain.com/category/465/1/reptile-mercury-vapor.html

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-lighting-fluorescent-bulbs/ps/c/6016/6028

Actually I have a connection there, so I get my bulbs for free.

 

[frost]

luck you james.

 

[Orion]

If you are worried about MBD I can tell you from past experience that nothing worked for me except whole food prey items ie FT (Fullt Thawed) mice. My Tegu had an impaction and was getting no nutrition. Make a LONG story short the vet surgically removed the obstruction and we dusted her food with calcium got new bulbs but she was weeks into her recovery and was still suffering from MBD the vet started her on liquid Calicum. Weeks later only got a tiny bit better. At this point I was getting worried that she would not be able to recover. She was not even trying to use her front legs, she wold get around like a snake. She was just coming off soft foods (baby food and canned dog food) and I started her slowly at first and I saw some improvment. I then switched her to eating FT mice every other day. She recovered almost 100%. She gets around lifting her whole body off the ground and that was a year and a half ago, she weighs over 10 pounds now.

 

[frost]

If you are worried about MBD I can tell you from past experience that nothing worked for me except whole food prey items ie FT (Fullt Thawed) mice. My Tegu had an impaction and was getting no nutrition. Make a LONG story short the vet surgically removed the obstruction and we dusted her food with calcium got new bulbs but she was weeks into her recovery and was still suffering from MBD the vet started her on liquid Calicum. Weeks later only got a tiny bit better. At this point I was getting worried that she would not be able to recover. She was not even trying to use her front legs, she wold get around like a snake. She was just coming off soft foods (baby food and canned dog food) and I started her slowly at first and I saw some improvment. I then switched her to eating FT mice every other day. She recovered almost 100%. She gets around lifting her whole body off the ground and that was a year and a half ago, she weighs over 10 pounds now.

wow thats great to hear.=] i have pondered giving some more mice to blizard. he/she doesent really like turkey and prefers to eat roaches. i wonder how much calcium content is in a pinkie tho.blizzard isnt very big so i would have to either get pinkies or small hoppers. and our pet stores dont really have much of either. petsmart has em but there pretty pricy. i want to get some from rodent pro but i have to buy in bulk and i dont have the money or that right now=/ im going to try breeding mice again soon. my last attempts have failed since they ate eachother even tho i fed them every day.