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I got a real scare yesturday from Bosco. I was checking on my Caiman Lizard yesturday morning and noticed that his enclosure was really cold. He was sluggish but seemed alert. I checked all the eletrics and everything was working. It was then I noticed that the dog water bowl was frozen! This is inside my house. The house fernce have gone out on the coldest night this year.
I imediatly went to check on Bosco and was not greeted with a nice sight. The prob to the thermostat had frozen, so none of the heating elements had kicked on overnight in his cage. There was ice on his water and the bark was cold to the touch. I found Bosco in his hide box, him curled up and biting on his tail. I honestly thought he was dead and broke down. I held him for a bit and realized that he was still alive, I don't know how but something told me he was gone yet. Sure enough I tapped on his eye and got a very sluggish response. I wrapped him up in blankets and put some hot water bottles up along side him. The water heater is the only thing really working so I drew a warmish bath, careful not to heat him up to quickly. After 20mins he started to responed, his eyes opened, the started to breath much better and was able to hold his own head up. I felt alot better when we become response enough to start licking the air and curling up with me and the dogs on the bed.
We I knew I couldn't keep them at the house any long and drove to my moms place just two hours away. (Did I ever tell you I have the best mom in the world!). I set up Bacardi in a temp cage and took Bosco by the vet. The vet did not want to do too much until he had warmed up a bit and settled in. So now Bosco is at my moms place, I know he is in good hands and I gave my mom some tips on what to look out for.
Here is my question. When I put him in the temp cage, its really small and i feel terrible, he was very disoriented. Now he is not the most aglie animals but even for him he seemed clumsy. This happend last year when I moved when he was hibernating, he was groggy and stumbly and went back to sleep. By spring he was fine. I am just worried that the cold might have done some serious damage. I am planning to take him in again early next week, but not being able to check on him personally everyday has me worried.
I did get lucky that he pulled through the cold and I did not lose anyone. I had just picked up and extream from TeguJake, she was up in the bed room for quarintine and did fine.
I imediatly went to check on Bosco and was not greeted with a nice sight. The prob to the thermostat had frozen, so none of the heating elements had kicked on overnight in his cage. There was ice on his water and the bark was cold to the touch. I found Bosco in his hide box, him curled up and biting on his tail. I honestly thought he was dead and broke down. I held him for a bit and realized that he was still alive, I don't know how but something told me he was gone yet. Sure enough I tapped on his eye and got a very sluggish response. I wrapped him up in blankets and put some hot water bottles up along side him. The water heater is the only thing really working so I drew a warmish bath, careful not to heat him up to quickly. After 20mins he started to responed, his eyes opened, the started to breath much better and was able to hold his own head up. I felt alot better when we become response enough to start licking the air and curling up with me and the dogs on the bed.
We I knew I couldn't keep them at the house any long and drove to my moms place just two hours away. (Did I ever tell you I have the best mom in the world!). I set up Bacardi in a temp cage and took Bosco by the vet. The vet did not want to do too much until he had warmed up a bit and settled in. So now Bosco is at my moms place, I know he is in good hands and I gave my mom some tips on what to look out for.
Here is my question. When I put him in the temp cage, its really small and i feel terrible, he was very disoriented. Now he is not the most aglie animals but even for him he seemed clumsy. This happend last year when I moved when he was hibernating, he was groggy and stumbly and went back to sleep. By spring he was fine. I am just worried that the cold might have done some serious damage. I am planning to take him in again early next week, but not being able to check on him personally everyday has me worried.
I did get lucky that he pulled through the cold and I did not lose anyone. I had just picked up and extream from TeguJake, she was up in the bed room for quarintine and did fine.
You did the right thing by not panicking in the situation and trying to warm him up too quickly.
