Before I begin, I'd like to stress the fact that I'm not looking for criticism or product recommendations, just straight, honest facts to help ease my mind.

My thermostat was lost in a move (yeah, I know, awful mistake but it happens).
I've been using a dimmer on my BPs UTH for 4 days until I can get a new one due to time and money restrictions. Well, the UTH spiked while I was at work, and I came home to find the probe in the center (warmest point) reading 103.5 degrees. I panicked and unplugged everything immediately. I lifted his hot hide to find him under it coiled up normally. The only strange thing is that he wouldn't uncoil or tighten when i touched him. Just stayed coiled and virtually motionless.

Now I haven't touched/bothered or even seen him in 3 days (fed him). I noticed that he is going into his first shed since I bought him (blue eyes etc.). Not sure if that's important to note.

I also have no idea how long the temps were that high, they were normal at 8 this morning, came home at 6.

So I guess my questions are as follows:

-Is it possible that my BP has overheated?
-Would temps of 103.5 cause serious problems?
-Why in GOD'S NAME didn't he thermoregulate and move to the cool side? Isn't that what it's for?????
-What are some signs I can look for? Tests I can perform immediately to see if he's okay? (bear in mind he's entering shed)


Thanks in advance for your help everyone.