Does my Sulcata have a cold

[JEANETTE H ARMSTRONG]

My 7 year old sulcata did something he has NEVER done before, he goes into his house at dusk and doesn't come back out until around 7am. When it is really cold I have a comforter I throw over the door to retain his heat. He can get out but not in with the comforter down. It has never tried before. I live at the base of Big Bear mountain and it can get cold. Last Sunday I put him to bed around 7:30 then received a call that my son had broken down on the highway (about 5 hours away). I checked on him got into my car and left. I got home . It was 57 degrees and raining I put food into Festers house and went inside. I fell asleep and awoke around noon. Went out to check on him . I couldn't find him. I found him all the way to the rear of my property (half acre) he was ice cold. I warmed him immediately, and have watched him constantly. His breathing seems rattling. Can they catch a cold. And if so what do I do, I cant loose him. Please help me.

 

[vladimir]

My 7 year old sulcata did something he has NEVER done before, he goes into his house at dusk and doesn't come back out until around 7am. When it is really cold I have a comforter I throw over the door to retain his heat. He can get out but not in with the comforter down. It has never tried before. I live at the base of Big Bear mountain and it can get cold. Last Sunday I put him to bed around 7:30 then received a call that my son had broken down on the highway (about 5 hours away). I checked on him got into my car and left. I got home . It was 57 degrees and raining I put food into Festers house and went inside. I fell asleep and awoke around noon. Went out to check on him . I couldn't find him. I found him all the way to the rear of my property (half acre) he was ice cold. I warmed him immediately, and have watched him constantly. His breathing seems rattling. Can they catch a cold. And if so what do I do, I cant loose him. Please help me.

Yes, I believe this could be serious. Is he inside now? What's the current temperature?

I would bump up the ambient temperature a little if you haven't already.

Hopefully someone with more experience will come along and offer some advice

 

[daniellenc]

Sounds like an upper respiratory infection which can turn into pneumonia and kill them. He needs high heat and probably a vet for antibiotics.

 

[Dizisdalife]

For now I would definitely go with high heat. Keep him about 85°F until you are certain there is no infection. If a runny nose develops you should see a Vet. This situation has happened to me. Keeping the temps elevated for a few days and he was back to normal.

 

[Tom]

My 7 year old sulcata did something he has NEVER done before, he goes into his house at dusk and doesn't come back out until around 7am. When it is really cold I have a comforter I throw over the door to retain his heat. He can get out but not in with the comforter down. It has never tried before. I live at the base of Big Bear mountain and it can get cold. Last Sunday I put him to bed around 7:30 then received a call that my son had broken down on the highway (about 5 hours away). I checked on him got into my car and left. I got home . It was 57 degrees and raining I put food into Festers house and went inside. I fell asleep and awoke around noon. Went out to check on him . I couldn't find him. I found him all the way to the rear of my property (half acre) he was ice cold. I warmed him immediately, and have watched him constantly. His breathing seems rattling. Can they catch a cold. And if so what do I do, I cant loose him. Please help me.

How are you heating his house and what is the temperature inside the house?

 

[wellington]

Like already said. Bump the heat up to 85 but keep him in that 85 degree temp 24/7 for a week or two. Your going to have to confine him to a room or enclosure where you can control the temps. If things seem to get worse then call a vet. If you get him in the heated area asap it might be all he needs to get him over this hump. Keep him hydrated with water available and a warm water soak every other day. If you see him improving, then keep him in the added heat for at least a week wet the point you think he is 100% better.
Good luck and keep us posted.
When he is better and you can put him back in his regular yard, a door that can be shut and latched should be installed on his house and be should be closed in every night and let out in the morning. They should not have the freedom to go out at night. Even if they never do it, when they decide too, it will always be on one of the worse nights.

 

[JEANETTE H ARMSTRONG]

Thanks everyone I had already increased his heat he is confined to his house which is a constant 85. I will watch him carefully

 

[Tom]

Thanks everyone I had already increased his heat he is confined to his house which is a constant 85. I will watch him carefully

How are you heating the house?
Be sure to soak him several times a week in warm water in the heat of the day to keep him hydrated with all the extra electric heat.
And let him out during these next few hot days so he can get warmer than 85 in this heat wave we are having.

 

[vladimir]

Thanks everyone I had already increased his heat he is confined to his house which is a constant 85. I will watch him carefully

How's he doing today?

 

[JEANETTE H ARMSTRONG]

Took him to the vet and he got antibiotics he is much better now I have changed the way he enters and exits his house. He is much warmer and thriving. So grateful for all your support. Fester is doing great.

 

[Tom]

Glad to hear he's doing better.

I just spent a couple of days near you at Riley's Farm on a school trip with my daughter. What a fantastic place! Do you know of it?

 

[JEANETTE H ARMSTRONG]

Yes I know it. I have been there several times over the years. It is a great place to go.