Reptilian Feline
Active Member
Embers isn't doing so well any more, but I think I caught it in time. His head was tilting to one side a few weeks ago and that scared me. Up until then he had been fine, eating and pooping and sharing a home with Tank Girl. Tank Girl was a bit reserved so Embers could be active and get to the food and hide where he wanted. I know that keeping two redfoots in the same enclosure can be a problem, but up to that point, they seemed fine. No apparent bullying and Tank Girl gave Embers (who is the smaller one) plenty of leaway.
So, the tilting head scared me. Temperature had been fluctuating outside because of autumn, and even if they are indoors, the temp will go up and down indoors as well as the heater responds to the outside temp. I quickly added more heat to the enclosure and things seemed to be improving. At least Tank Girl perked up, and Embers slowly stopped tilting his head.
Long story short, Embers didn't seem that happy to eat anymore and not very happy to walk around either. He would hide away as far from Tank Girl as possible in the hide, and I think that's how he almost got sick... the heat wouldn't reach him in there whith her blocking the entrance. So, I've moved him to the hospital tank, he has a nice cosy heat of about 32 celcius under the che, and last night he liked the sallad mix. When he gets to swim , he floats equally, so I don't think he has congested lungs, but this is really scary. I thought they were OK, living together, but when Tank Girl got more confident, Embers didn't have a chance. No apparent bullying, just an budding RI and not being happy.
I'm hoping extra heat, solitude in the tank, and more humidity will help him pull through. I'd hate to loose him. He is such a friendly little one.
On the other hand, Tank Girl will now take more than one piece of food from my hand at a time, so she has settled in well... and growing.
So, the tilting head scared me. Temperature had been fluctuating outside because of autumn, and even if they are indoors, the temp will go up and down indoors as well as the heater responds to the outside temp. I quickly added more heat to the enclosure and things seemed to be improving. At least Tank Girl perked up, and Embers slowly stopped tilting his head.
Long story short, Embers didn't seem that happy to eat anymore and not very happy to walk around either. He would hide away as far from Tank Girl as possible in the hide, and I think that's how he almost got sick... the heat wouldn't reach him in there whith her blocking the entrance. So, I've moved him to the hospital tank, he has a nice cosy heat of about 32 celcius under the che, and last night he liked the sallad mix. When he gets to swim , he floats equally, so I don't think he has congested lungs, but this is really scary. I thought they were OK, living together, but when Tank Girl got more confident, Embers didn't have a chance. No apparent bullying, just an budding RI and not being happy.
I'm hoping extra heat, solitude in the tank, and more humidity will help him pull through. I'd hate to loose him. He is such a friendly little one.
On the other hand, Tank Girl will now take more than one piece of food from my hand at a time, so she has settled in well... and growing.