My Diggy is not feeling good

mlepage · 07-02-2012, 06:07 PM

Hi Danny

I think you saw my Diggy (Hosfieldy) a few years back when Marion Animal Hospital called you. Lately he is not eating, his eyes are puffy, he seems a little lethargic.

He is in a 50/50 mix of sand and top soil in a big tupperware container 3" x 18"

He has a heat lamp 50wtts about 1' high and until yesterday had a Repti-glow UVB lamp that we took off to see if it was that, guided by another article in the forums.

Not sure about the temp, but I'm getting a thermometer today.

Diet of garden mix because he will not eat anything else. I try to give me some weeds from the backyard when available.

Not sure where to go from here. I am giving him daily soaks and know how to force-feed him if I need to.

Any suggestions?

TortBabe · 07-02-2012, 07:07 PM

The puffy eyes may be due to the fact that you have sand in his enclosure, in my personal experience sand tends to annoy Horsfields eyes

The temps may be too cold or too hot and you may need to tweak things to get the right temp for him

Xero · 07-02-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortBabe

The puffy eyes may be due to the fact that you have sand in his enclosure, in my personal experience sand tends to annoy Horsfields eyes

The temps may be too cold or too hot and you may need to tweak things to get the right temp for him

I thought exactly the same, i would think temps would be to low?

Anyway try sort these 2 problems and let us know how you get on

**egyptiandan64** · 07-02-2012, 08:44 PM

I do remember him.

We will have to know temperatures and the length your lights are on for to get an idea of whats going on.

Though puffy eyes can be an eye infection, low vitamin A or the start of a respiratory infection. Is there any discharge from his nose?

Danny

mlepage · 08-02-2012, 06:29 AM

he's got a clean dry nose. And I am getting topsoil ad baking it so that I can change the substrate. I need a good reliable thermometer to check those temps. The lights were on for 9 hours until yesterday when I read in a post that 12 was better with 14 being best so i adjusted that.

He doesn't feel cool to the touch but tomorrow I am going to shop for a thermometer. I'll post an update when I do.

Poor hubby is going bunkers, just laying on the floor next to the tort-house and looking at him.

**egyptiandan64** · 08-02-2012, 01:24 PM

Him slowing down was probably a combination of the temperatures and the shorter light period. The longer light period will help as will knowing the temperatures, so they can be adjusted if necessary.

Danny

mlepage · 08-02-2012, 05:46 PM

Update. I changed the heat lamp for a stronger and the temp in the basking area is now between 32C and 34C. The temp on the other corner is 22C. Should it be a little warmer on the colder side too? I can put the 25W heat lamp on that side to raise the temp a little if needed.

Also, how can I increase his Vit A if it is low? Any special diet item that is high on it?

mlepage · 08-02-2012, 08:19 PM

Update. Diggy passed away today at about 2pm. We didn't know his age and the last exotics vet that saw him said that it looked like he was an old man so for all I know he died of old age. He was a rescue so at least I know that his last 6 years were goo ones.

Thanks to all that helped.

Easter Bunny · 08-02-2012, 09:04 PM

Aww, sorry for you loss. RIP Diggy.
I'm sure he had the best 6 years of his life with you xx

Xero · 08-02-2012, 09:49 PM

Awww, sorry to hear this.. I know how sad it is.

atleast you did your best for him over the 6years you had him and he would of died happily with you to look after him!

07-02-2012, 06:07 PM	#1
mlepage Junior Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	My Diggy is not feeling good Hi Danny I think you saw my Diggy (Hosfieldy) a few years back when Marion Animal Hospital called you. Lately he is not eating, his eyes are puffy, he seems a little lethargic. He is in a 50/50 mix of sand and top soil in a big tupperware container 3" x 18" He has a heat lamp 50wtts about 1' high and until yesterday had a Repti-glow UVB lamp that we took off to see if it was that, guided by another article in the forums. Not sure about the temp, but I'm getting a thermometer today. Diet of garden mix because he will not eat anything else. I try to give me some weeds from the backyard when available. Not sure where to go from here. I am giving him daily soaks and know how to force-feed him if I need to. Any suggestions?

07-02-2012, 07:07 PM	#2
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	The puffy eyes may be due to the fact that you have sand in his enclosure, in my personal experience sand tends to annoy Horsfields eyes The temps may be too cold or too hot and you may need to tweak things to get the right temp for him __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

07-02-2012, 08:44 PM	#4
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	I do remember him. We will have to know temperatures and the length your lights are on for to get an idea of whats going on. Though puffy eyes can be an eye infection, low vitamin A or the start of a respiratory infection. Is there any discharge from his nose? Danny __________________

08-02-2012, 01:24 PM	#6
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Him slowing down was probably a combination of the temperatures and the shorter light period. The longer light period will help as will knowing the temperatures, so they can be adjusted if necessary. Danny __________________

08-02-2012, 09:04 PM	#9
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	Aww, sorry for you loss. RIP Diggy. I'm sure he had the best 6 years of his life with you xx __________________ Lynne x

08-02-2012, 06:29 AM	#5
mlepage Junior Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	he's got a clean dry nose. And I am getting topsoil ad baking it so that I can change the substrate. I need a good reliable thermometer to check those temps. The lights were on for 9 hours until yesterday when I read in a post that 12 was better with 14 being best so i adjusted that. He doesn't feel cool to the touch but tomorrow I am going to shop for a thermometer. I'll post an update when I do. Poor hubby is going bunkers, just laying on the floor next to the tort-house and looking at him.

08-02-2012, 05:46 PM	#7
mlepage Junior Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Update. I changed the heat lamp for a stronger and the temp in the basking area is now between 32C and 34C. The temp on the other corner is 22C. Should it be a little warmer on the colder side too? I can put the 25W heat lamp on that side to raise the temp a little if needed. Also, how can I increase his Vit A if it is low? Any special diet item that is high on it?

08-02-2012, 08:19 PM	#8
mlepage Junior Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 6	Update. Diggy passed away today at about 2pm. We didn't know his age and the last exotics vet that saw him said that it looked like he was an old man so for all I know he died of old age. He was a rescue so at least I know that his last 6 years were goo ones. Thanks to all that helped.

08-02-2012, 09:49 PM	#10
Xero Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 742	Awww, sorry to hear this.. I know how sad it is. atleast you did your best for him over the 6years you had him and he would of died happily with you to look after him! __________________ Peaches > Turbo > Speedy > Dexcie 1.2.0 T.h.Horsfieldii..R.I.P Speedy :(

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