blind as a bat

[Mchristy]

I have a 1.5 year old normal BP. Lately when feeding him it seems he's blind as a bat... Literally, the food is less than an inch from his face and he misses completely with his strike. Doesn't even make contact sometimes. Other times he makes contact but doesnt manage to take it. Could something be wrong? His eyes are wrinkled as though he is dehydrated but I keep fresh water in the tank and mist daily. I am very worried...

[dr del]

Hi,

Sounds like he is either dehydrated or has a stuck shed - a picture should let us tell which.

It also sounds like you might not be heating your rodents enough ( assuming you are feeding frozen/thawed ).

If you show us your setup we might be able to give some inexpensive tips for raising humidity long term.


dr del

[kitedemon]

It does sound like dehydration. It could also be over heated as well.

Lets start with you husbandry

what are your temps and humidity like?

[Mchristy]

The ambient temps in the room are between 79-82 at all times and the hotspot in the enclosure is between 87-91 at all times. He is in a 32qt Sterilite tub (he only weighs like 300g despite being fed two large mice weekly) and I mist the enclosure 1-3 times daily. There is a little digital thermo/hygro probe in there so I can monitor. I admit, the last two feedings I haven't warmed the rodent, mostly because I find myself running out the door as I need to feed him . Could this be the problem with not being able to grab his food? He's never had trouble in the past. It baffles me that he would be dehydrated as he's never missed a meal in 1.5 years and gets fresh water and misting daily. Humidity is a bit rough for me to maintain and it goes from 35%-70% depending on the relative humidity and mistings. I've had trouble keeping it steady.
My biggest concern is that I've housed him in the same room as a 3 month old Colombian red tail boa and only recently learned about IBD. I had no idea this even existed before I got my boa and honestly, because of the worrywory I am, I wouldn't have purchased a boa if I knew it could carry such a devastating disease. They'be been near each other for almost 3 months and only recently has my bp started having any issues. He still pounds down food but is missing it and feels a bit skinnier than I remember... Also, this morning he was tapping the side of his tank, striking at me as I walked by. Guess that means he isn't blind :/

[dr del]

The heat thing is the main way they target prey so yes that is likely the problem. When they open their mouths to strike their eyes can't really see the target I think?

Plus, if his eyes are compromised with stuck shed or wrinkled eyecaps, he will be using the ehat vision more anyway. Which might also explain why he could be feeling insecure and striking at a big heat source ( you ).

But, as I said, pictures would let us judge the eye issue better.

[Mchristy]

I suspected heat had something to do with it. Idk, somewhere I read that you don't necessarily HAVE to heat your rodents as long as they are completely thawed. I guess heating is merely to entice them and allow them to "track" the prey better, so to speak. I'm learning something new every day. I'll take pics of his eyes soon and post them as I am worried about his hydration. I've struggled with humidity since I got him and he's only recently started having complete sheds. His first 3-4 sheds were spotty at best and his eye caps never came off. His last two sheds have been near perfect so I guess that means I'm getting somewhere.