Urgent Care :: Flailing while basking, possibly new MVB bulb?

[Cayte923]

I have been in the process of upgrading my tank. Yesterday all elements went into effect. New filter media, new basking area, and a new 100 watt T-Rex MVB flood bulb. The box suggested a minimum of 12" away from the basking area which it is at about 13-14" away from his rock. The slate on the platform is the same kind that I have always used just a different size piece. I did boil this before I put it in.

Here's my problem. Boris frequently goes up on his rock to bask and then after no more than an hour he starts to flail his arms and legs around. Let me try to describe this as best as possible...He looks like he's swimming but not in water, very violently, right side leg and arm then the left. Then will start batting his front feet at his head around his eyes. He then goes to the edge of the platform and then dips his head in the water.

I suspect it's his eyes that are bothering him. But they are not swollen, red, or look any different. He is acting COMPLETELY himself other then this. No signs of R.I. and I've read up on the symptoms. He has no other sign of any illness, not that I can tell.

I know I read a thread about 10.0 UVB possibly burning turts eyes. I also know that these T-Rex bulbs are relatively new. As soon as I'm done with this post I am going to move the bulb further away from him. It's almost his bedtime anyway.

Please offer any advice or suggestions. Please...Thank you.

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How big is your turtle? Without the curl in his shell, 2.5"
How long have you had it? 2 1/2 months

What is the water temperature? 79 degrees
Are you using a water heater? Yes, visi-therm stealth
How much water is in there? 20-25 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes, the blue stuff
Are you using any filtration? Yes, AquaClear filter

What is the basking temperature? 89 degrees
Is there a basking light? Yes, a new T-Rex MVB
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Slate
Is there a UVB light? Yes, see above

What have you been trying to feed it? He eats veraciously, twice a day: Hatchling pellets and a variety of lettuces
When was the last time your turtle ate? 8pm tonight

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 30 gallons
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Normal activity

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? None

[SpotsMama]

Twitching while basking is common. I did a search on "twitch*" and came up with a number of examples. Here's one:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... =twitch%2A

Spot does it some times. Some people have said they twitch because they are shedding and itch. On the thread above, marisa suggests they twitch when they are starting to get too hot. It's not usually anything to worry about.

I haven't seen any examples of eye irritation caused by an MVB, and quite a few people use them. The examples of eye problems caused by a bulb were with compact flourescent UV bulbs. However, you are using the MVB in a much smaller tank than usual, so maybe you do need to move the bulb back some.

Rubbing the eyes could resemble twitching (turtles don't have terrific fine motor skills). If he keeps on twitching even after you've moved the light and you think it's because his eyes are bothering him, you might try some zoo med turtle eye drops. Since you've got a lot of new things going on - filter, light, etc - it could be any of a number of things causing some eye irritation.

[Cayte923]

Thank you!!!!! That put me at ease. At first I thought it was funny and then I started to worry. I never thought to search 'twitching' since it seemed to be alot more then that.

Since it's night time for him now, I'll see what happens tomorrow. And I will keep an eye on his eyes

Thank you again!

[marisa]

The rubbing of the eyes with the paws sounds like they're getting a little dry from the warmth. Wiping the paws over the eyes somtimes accompanies the jerky movements/twitching my RES makes before he eventually goes back into the water to cool off or move further away from the light to get less heat. I wouldn't worry about it.