Trooper Twister's recent x-rays

[HolyToledo]

We had a wonderful day today!

Only one serious bubbling experience this morning. A couple of other drinkings led to a bit of breathing funny but I think I'm getting it figured out how to keep the bubbling from being so bad.

Otherwise, we went on a big adventure. I took him with me to my parents' house to help my dad pull some wood up a hill and cut it up for firewood. Neither Mom or Dad are very fond of reptiles by the way... I got Twister set up and invader-proof and went to work but checking him often. I think Mom checked on him even more than I did! Wasn't long and she had her camera out too. When Dad and I took a break, Twister got to experience lawn for the first time. Later Mom and I went out in the woods where I know there have never been pesticides or other pollutants and found a ton of sow bugs. I only wanted to see if he was interested and gather some to see if I can raise em.

I haven't seen this little guy that excited about food for a long time! So, I did feed him a few more. Mom and Dad were fascinated watching him eat and watching him pull himself around in the grass. They were amazed at how quickly he realized he had to grab the grass closer to the ground so he was pulling himself forward instead of just pulling the grass toward him. LOL

By the end of the day, Mom was petting him but didn't want to hurt him by holding him wrong and even my Dad is a Twister fan!

He is an amazing little guy. But he was pretty worn-out. Got home and put him on his window platform until after sunset. Had a bubble free drinking session and then he was falling asleep during his evening sauna and was sleeping so good he barely moved when I tucked him in his bin for the night.

Sleep well little man, I think I will too tonight, finally.
Goodnight to all our forum friends and followers too.

 

[laurie]

That is wonderful. Unless your parents live far away I think I would have twister visiting their yard often. that has to be really good for him. Go twister.

 

[HolyToledo]

You are so right laurie and we have plans of doing just that because they live just outside of the same town. I had never taken Twister there because they never understood why I could like any reptile well enough to have one as a pet. But now that he is being so closely supervised, I told Dad I would love to help him but would have to bring Twister with... LOL.

Now, he is welcome to come over anytime. And Mom says we need to find him a Barbie skateboard so he won't have to drag himself around. Not a bad idea but I don't think it would work too well in the grass.

And, maybe the sowbugs weren't a good idea but we finally got another poop, so they weren't all bad...

 

[Elizadolots]

That sounds like a wonderful day. I'm glad your parents have realized how special Twister is and he has an open invitation to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I believe we've discussed the pillbugs before and determined they were fine to feed as long as know that there is no risk of pesticides.

 

[HolyToledo]

Things are pretty good today even though it's a "metacam day".

"Metacam day": reaction to the pain meds
Are there other pain relievers/anti-inflammatories out there for chams?
I'm not too sure about this Metacam. The doses are so miniscule that I worry about OD'ing him with just a tiny bit of the stuff. And, sometimes he acts so weird. Like yesterday. He wanted a snuggle and was snoozing about an hour when all the sudden he jerked awake and started struggling, almost like he didn't know where he was. His eyes were wide open and his pupils were dialated and he was looking around a mile a minute and all tensed up like he does sometime if a bird perches on the eave of the building above his window perch. Nothing I tried that usually works calmed him at all so ended up putting him in his hospital bin. He quieted down some but didn't really calm down until bedtime when he was closed in and the lights went out.
And, today is typical day two behavior: just an over-all pissy attitude if I offer him water or food and he doesn't want it he juts his chin and huffs. When I pulled the water hose back so he would drink more slowly, he juts and huffs. Sometimes on day two he even gapes at me just because I am checking on him and those are the days he gets himself in the most trouble and needs the closest watching. Vicious circle with a drugged little man...


About the bugs and field trips:
Yup, no pesticides anywhere around. That is why I let him eat so many.
And, there are tons of them there. I found lots of them had eggs in their legs like shrimp carry theirs! Mom said I should see if anyone wants some and we could send them to them too.
Only problem with the field trips to Granny's is that now I have to do ALOT more research on plants and bugs that he will have access to! Mom has the greenest thumb of anyone I know and there are all kinds of plants all over!
But I'm not sure what plants he should be around yet...

Twister sure was attracted to the sight of all that green stuff especially the hanging fuchsias! Every time I would walk by one of them he would reach for them. Then look at me and jut his chin when I just walked on by without letting him get on it. LOL

 

[Elizadolots]

Florida Chams has an incredibly helpful "Safe Plant List", if you haven't seen it...and, good news, Fuschias are on it!

 

[HolyToledo]

Thanks for the link!

We went back over for a visit but it was a bad day overall for Twister. I think he liked being able to sit in the fuchsia but it was too breezy to leave him there for very long. Got a bit of sun and a little time in the plants and lawn but otherwise, he just rested his grumpy butt in the bin and didn't want to be messed with. That's okay, I think he is entitled to a down day here and there and today he seems better and is moving around more and being alot less huffy with me. Spit out his Ca bug though so will have to re-do that later--he really hates that stuff! And, he still won't eat his butterworms. Time to get online and get him something else to try.

 

[Elizadolots]

I'm sorry it wasn't a perfect visit to Grandma and Grandpa's but let's face it, family time is often less than perfect. I've read wonderful things about silkworms as feeders....just a though.

 

[HolyToledo]

The battle is over for Trooper.

He gave it a good fight but finally gave up.

 

[HolyToledo]

Thanks everyone for all the help...

He sure was a Trooper. I will miss him now that he is gone. My heart is broken but I am happy that he no longer suffers.

He definitely put up a good fight.