Bixi
Member
Hey guys,
Here are pics of Bixi: http://imgur.com/a/jfuOS
Bixi is a ~6 month old Sulcata (as of 6/27/17) and her food intake has increased by almost double recently. I moved her into a much larger enclosure a few weeks ago, and she finished her last dose of antibiotics for a respiratory infection recently. I posted a similar thread in the diet forums, and people seem to think that she is ok and everything is normal. I do, however, have a new concern.
Bixi's shell has experienced some pyramiding during her time on antibiotics. During the early part of her antibiotic treatment I drastically lowered her humidity and increased her temps per the veterinarian's suggestion. I have since (5 weeks ago?) increased her humidity by a large amount. It is difficult to tell if her new shell growth is still pyramiding. Some of her shell growth is definitely not smooth, but other parts appear to be smoothing out.
Bixi is not showing signs of metabolic bone disease, and she seems healthy and active in her environment. My humidity gauges suggest ~70% humidity. She has regular access to multiple micro-climates, including temps/humidity and UV radiation. She has a large water dish to soak in (see pics) and she poops in that dish daily.
Bixi eats mostly Zoomed grassland tortoise food (https://zoomed.com/natural-grassland-tortoise-food/). I cut up the chunks of food into smaller softer pieces for her daily. She also gets some (Kaytee brand) Timothy hay, and she gets a large pinch of romaine lettuce roughly twice a week. Both of those food types are supplemented with a small amount of Zoomed vitamin D calcium powder (She gets a light sprinkle on top).
I am not "overall" worried about her health, but I want her to have optimal growth and comfort. If I can provide increases in these things for her, then I want to do that. I know time in natural sunlight (outside) is good for her, and currently it is difficult for me to provide that for her on a regular basis.
My main question is: If a Sulcata has rough growth (or pyramiding) previously, then how long should it take for that growth to smooth out? This is, of course, assuming she has a proper environment and diet...
Bixi is definitely growing. Her new shell growth is not noticeably pyramided, however, it is difficult to tell if the new growth is pyramided because the old growth is a bit rough...
I am probably just an over-worried parent. As I stated previously, she seems very healthy and happy. Her new enclosure provides plenty of access to micro-climates, high temps, food, soaking, and interesting terrain. If I had to guess, I would say it appears that her shell is smoothing out... I just want to make sure that there is not something I am missing or doing improperly.
Thanks guys.
Burke
p.s. - search "bixi" on this site to see all of her old pictures and threads.
Here are pics of Bixi: http://imgur.com/a/jfuOS
Bixi is a ~6 month old Sulcata (as of 6/27/17) and her food intake has increased by almost double recently. I moved her into a much larger enclosure a few weeks ago, and she finished her last dose of antibiotics for a respiratory infection recently. I posted a similar thread in the diet forums, and people seem to think that she is ok and everything is normal. I do, however, have a new concern.
Bixi's shell has experienced some pyramiding during her time on antibiotics. During the early part of her antibiotic treatment I drastically lowered her humidity and increased her temps per the veterinarian's suggestion. I have since (5 weeks ago?) increased her humidity by a large amount. It is difficult to tell if her new shell growth is still pyramiding. Some of her shell growth is definitely not smooth, but other parts appear to be smoothing out.
Bixi is not showing signs of metabolic bone disease, and she seems healthy and active in her environment. My humidity gauges suggest ~70% humidity. She has regular access to multiple micro-climates, including temps/humidity and UV radiation. She has a large water dish to soak in (see pics) and she poops in that dish daily.
Bixi eats mostly Zoomed grassland tortoise food (https://zoomed.com/natural-grassland-tortoise-food/). I cut up the chunks of food into smaller softer pieces for her daily. She also gets some (Kaytee brand) Timothy hay, and she gets a large pinch of romaine lettuce roughly twice a week. Both of those food types are supplemented with a small amount of Zoomed vitamin D calcium powder (She gets a light sprinkle on top).
I am not "overall" worried about her health, but I want her to have optimal growth and comfort. If I can provide increases in these things for her, then I want to do that. I know time in natural sunlight (outside) is good for her, and currently it is difficult for me to provide that for her on a regular basis.
My main question is: If a Sulcata has rough growth (or pyramiding) previously, then how long should it take for that growth to smooth out? This is, of course, assuming she has a proper environment and diet...
Bixi is definitely growing. Her new shell growth is not noticeably pyramided, however, it is difficult to tell if the new growth is pyramided because the old growth is a bit rough...
I am probably just an over-worried parent. As I stated previously, she seems very healthy and happy. Her new enclosure provides plenty of access to micro-climates, high temps, food, soaking, and interesting terrain. If I had to guess, I would say it appears that her shell is smoothing out... I just want to make sure that there is not something I am missing or doing improperly.
Thanks guys.
Burke
p.s. - search "bixi" on this site to see all of her old pictures and threads.