Constipated?

[gcd312]

I posted earlier that i thought my tegu was hibernating and had some concerns. Now he's up and i realized that i can't remember the last time that he's pooped. He's very sluggish (and plump) and has slept for basically the last 3 or 4 days. Could this be a sign(s) of constipation? I have him out with me right now and he's falling asleep on me (never happens when he's out, he's usually moving around).

Thanks

 

[dragonmetalhead]

If you gentle palpate his abdomen, does it feel like there's something in there? He might be blocked. If this continues or your tegu gets more bloated, I suggest a trip to the vet.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

Warm baths encourage them to poop

 

[james.w]

When was the last time he ate? What are your temps and humidity?

 

[gcd312]

He had a bath a few days ago. He ate probably 2 or 3 days ago. Right now the hot side is 88 or so (i gotta get a stronger bulb, just got a bigger tank for him) and humidity is 60-70 percent. cool side is about 77 but he's never really on the cool side. he's been in his hide like 20-23 hours of the day for a few weeks now. at least whenever I'm home he's usually in his hide.

 

[jdpFL]

Yikes! Not warm enough! Do you have a UV source too? They HAVE to have proper heat to digest their food. How are you measuring temp? Need something accurate. That can turn into a deadly situation if you're not careful...get that tegu hot! It's getting time for hibernation, but if he's coming out at all, he's looking for heat, water, or food.

 

[james.w]

Is your basking spot 88 degrees? This is way too cold, he is not digesting his food if this is the case.

 

[gcd312]

Yikes! Not warm enough! Do you have a UV source too? They HAVE to have proper heat to digest their food. How are you measuring temp? Need something accurate. That can turn into a deadly situation if you're not careful...get that tegu hot! It's getting time for hibernation, but if he's coming out at all, he's looking for heat, water, or food.

I have UVB too. i looked for a bulb at like petsmart and they didn't have anything higher than 150watt. any other heating suggestions?

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And I'm measuring it with a thermometer..

 

[james.w]

You need to get either a temp gun or probe style thermometer to measure the basking spot. To get a 110 degree basking spot, either lower the bulb or raise the basking spot. Can you post pics of your enclosure. You shouldn't have a problem getting a proper basking spot with a 150w bulb. What are you using for UVB?

 

[gcd312]

You need to get either a temp gun or probe style thermometer to measure the basking spot. To get a 110 degree basking spot, either lower the bulb or raise the basking spot. Can you post pics of your enclosure. You shouldn't have a problem getting a proper basking spot with a 150w bulb. What are you using for UVB?

idk what a temp gun or probe style thermometer are, and ill try and figure out how to post pictures

 

[Rhetoric]

Probe

Temp guns, you point and click

 

[gcd312]

picture attached

 

[Rhetoric]

Those temp gauges are horrible. They can be off by ~10*, I hate them with a fiery passion. I used to use them until I found out how inaccurate they are. You really should get a probe thermometer (or gun if you can afford it) as soon as you can. If/when you get a probe it needs to be down at the same level the tegu is. If the probe is 6" above the tegus reach it can be a few degrees colder at the tegus level.

 

[james.w]

The biggest problem with those gauges is they are measuring the temp on the glass. Get some bricks that you can stack and make a sort of pyramid for a basking spot. You will have to have a temp gun or probe therm so you can stack it to the right level.

What are you using for a UVB bulb?

 

[gcd312]

Like legit bricks? idk how high i could make it with him being able to climb up. if you have a picture of your basking spot that'd be great. and I'm using a spiral uvb bulb - and i know that they can cause eye problems (everyone always tells me this lol) i just haven't gotten around to getting a diff one yet

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and where can i find one of those temp probes? how much do they run?

 

[Rhetoric]

Probes should be available at petmsart, target, petco, maybe walgreens. I've been using probes thermometers that came from the garden section at target.

The second one is lifted with cinder blocks as well.

a few others I've tried, don't mind that fake carpet, its garbage don't use it.

 

[james.w]

Here is my Tegus basking spot..

You can get a temp gun from proexotics.com

Most pet stores have probe stlye thermometers, I think walmart might have them as well.

 

[gcd312]

holy tegu! those are huge!! lol. and i don't think my tegu would be able to climb up something like that (or want to) he's still only about 16 inches

 

[james.w]

So get smaller bricks or use smaller bricks to make "stairs" that he can get up to the top.

 

[gcd312]

ok cool, thanks a lot. do you know if they make stronger bulbs too? cause i have a thermometer close to the bulb (as close as i would let my tegu get to it) and its only about 90 or so there. I'm thinking a combination of higher wattage and a higher basking spot would help a lot