Spine dent, what do i do?

Zbiz · Postby **Zbiz** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:09 pm

As some of you know I have 3 young northerns. Well one of mine, who is 7 months old, is more active than the rest. He is always climbing everything in his cage. But the more and more I watch the more I get nervous. He attempts the climb the side of his cage and his back bends in a perfect 90 degree angle!!! I thought nothing of it the first time but it seems as though it bends at that spot more readily than the rest of his back. I took him out and noticed that laying flat on the ground his back has a shallow dent in it! He has a UVB and is supplemented with Calcium with D3 in his food. I'm extremely mad at myself... I feel like i failed him. But its no matter what I do he continues to do it. Will it always stay that way? I dont know what to do. my other 2 rarely if ever climb their walls. I'm soo upset i feel like throwing up.

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:20 pm

Is the side of the cage glass? If so, cover it. If the top of the tank is open, try covering most of it in something opaque. Take him out often, so he doesn't feel the need to try getting out. He may just really want to explore. If you can, try a larger tank, or add many things for him to climb over.

It isn't MBD, so it's not that you've done something wrong. Hope things turn out well for you.

Zbiz · Postby **Zbiz** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:21 pm

Heres a picture of the dent....

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:23 pm

The dent is probably from his tail standing antics. Have you put a background up around your viv? Some blueys climb more when they can see all that glass. Not sure how else to stop that. More time out of the cage might help. A vet check would probably not be a bad idea if the dent remains and you can't curtail the climbing. I don't think you should fault yourself ... some are just more prone to climb.

Zbiz · Postby **Zbiz** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:25 pm

Do you think it is permanent?

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:49 pm

Boy I wouldn't know about that. Some of the resident experts would have an opinion. They will be along soon to chime in.

Geoff Gates · Postby **Geoff Gates** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:46 pm

Zbiz wrote:Do you think it is permanent?

No. it will not be permanent if you act now.

cover the glass sides of the tank with paper. (leave the front unpapered of course).

Zbiz · Postby **Zbiz** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:01 pm

Ok sounds good. Im gona do everything i can to get him straightened out... no pun intended. I covered with the paper and plan to buy a ferret pen tomorrow so he can be out and about for a couple of hours a day. Heres to hoping!

Leigh · Postby **Leigh** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:29 am

Could you put a stone or something where he climbs(is it the same place always?) that way he may still climb the walls but he wont have a 90 degree angle to bend at,and he'd probably use his back legs for lift , best of luck,well spotted and it is not always permanant if caught early.

Hijinks · Postby **Hijinks** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:25 pm

Ping's a climber even though three out of four walls of his tank are opaque, and he's got a little dent too. His dent is not as pronounced as your guy's, but I had a vet look at it and he said it's nothing to worry about. One thing he mentioned was that I should be careful to watch his weight, since obesity could put extra strain on the weak area. I use cardboard to cover the area of the glass front of the tank he is most obsessed with climbing. I put stuff around the perimeter of the tank to try to curb the behavior, but he's gonna do what he's gonna do. Here's a thread about another climber that should make you feel better: http://bluetongueskinks.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6914

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:58 pm

Hey ... are Ping and the dented bluey Zbiz has related?? Not only do they act the same way but they sure look similar.

SailleSkinklover · Postby **SailleSkinklover** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:07 pm

Ohhhh that naughty Ping! I love him! :love:

Hijinks · Postby **Hijinks** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:14 pm

Maybe!! I think they have the same father. His parents are Alya and Milt.

shingleback aus · Postby **shingleback aus** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:16 pm

ping looks very active

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:32 pm

Hijinks wrote:Maybe!! I think they have the same father. His parents are Alya and Milt.

Wonder if Andrew would have info on the whole brood? Wonder if they are all crazy climbers?

Zbiz · Postby **Zbiz** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:36 pm

Our guys share the same crazy father it seems! my little one is Dana and Milt. I feel much better now... I was just so freaked about it... they've been doing so well. I increased the out side time from about a half hour to an hour and a half... thats should get his back stronger, we'll see!

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:51 pm

And he'll be happy bout that. Wish I could take my guys out.

SailleSkinklover · Postby **SailleSkinklover** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:49 pm

Hey Zbiz, does your skink like to "Paint with Poo" like Ping does? :shock:

shingleback aus · Postby **shingleback aus** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:04 am

so does eddy today he left me a suprise in his encloser and all over himself and lilly what a mess. :dead:

Leigh · Postby **Leigh** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:41 am

Zbiz wrote:Our guys share the same crazy father it seems! my little one is Dana and Milt. I feel much better now... I was just so freaked about it... they've been doing so well. I increased the out side time from about a half hour to an hour and a half... thats should get his back stronger, we'll see!

I dont think its a weakness in the spine in the first instance, just a fold line so to speak,it'll get worse with bending action at the same spot on his back. Grab him and fold him the other way,NO DONT, I was joking. Climbing over obstacles that sends the back flexing in the opposite direction, is the best advice, and try to block off the offending area in the tank with a stone/rock/log.

Spine dent, what do i do?

Spine dent, what do i do?

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