anole help

Question
QUESTION: do you know much about green anoles? there is something very wrong with
my little gretchen. for weeks, all she has done is apparently sleep. she doesnt
move around much, even when i squirt her with the water bottle (and she
used to HATE the water). she doesnt appear to be eating either. i put a cricket
in there and she let it crawl all over her. not until it seemed to be biting her
did she flick away. please help me! i'm very sure that she is sick, and i dont
want to say it, but she's probably going to die...

ANSWER: Hello Tenten,

I know a little bit about green anoles.  
Are you using a UVB light currently?  If so, what type & brand are you using, a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light?
What type of basking light do you use?
What are the temps in there & what type of thermometer are you using to measure the temps?
Are you supplementing calcium?
What type of substrate do you use?
Can you post a picture of her?
If she is not eating on her own, you will need to get chicken or turkey babyfood to feed her with & use a plastic dropper or a plastic syringe.

I will see what I can do to help her.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: im using a 13W Reptiflo 10.O UVB bulb. i guess its a coil..one of the energy
efficient ones i guess. basking light? isnt that what the light is for in the first
place? um..dont have a thermometer. i use the lamp and a tank heating pad
for the bottom of the tank. its outside of the tank of course. her tank is also
next to a heating vent, so on cold days the hot air is next to her. i dont really
know how to get the calcium, dont know what a substrate is i noticed last
night that she isnt opening one of her eyes, and that there is a black mark
along the back of that eye. she did move around more than ive seen last
night. she looked like she was trying to hunt, but i think that she cant do so
very well with that one eye shut. theres something on the eye...not sure if its
crust or if she had a shedding issue and the eye got stuck shut.

/Users/Margz/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Jul 3,
2009/100_0330.JPG

not sure if that link will work...i dont know where i would post this otherwise.
if you want me to email you that picture i will
thank you for your help!

Answer
Hello Tenten,

Oh ok, that link wont work.  You can email a picture of her at my home email at:
Drache613@cfl.rr.com

I think that the problem is going to be the UVB light.  The Reptiglo 10 products have not been good at all.  Both the coil & the flourescent tube bulbs have been producing low wavelength of UVB light which is causing eye problems & health problems.  They were made with the incorrect phosphor coating on the bulb which has made it hazardous for use.  Since you are not using a basking light, this light has been particularly harsh on her eyes.  When not enough bright light is used with any UVB light, their pupils remain dilated which allows more UVB light in to damage the eyes.  Once bright light is introduced, the pupils will constrict which allows less UVB light in to do any damage.  This is very important.
Also, all compact & coil bulbs are very hard on their eyes as well.
I would highly recommend turning off the Reptiglo 10 coil bulb as soon as you get this message.  Just leave the basking light on only right now.  
You will need to order the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.  You can get it for a great price at:
www.petmountain.com

The calcium you need is Repcal calcium with D3 or without D3, & you can get that from pet mountain also.

The substrate is simply what the bottom of the tank is lined with.  Are you using sand, tiles, carpet, paper towels?

What you can do now is get some regular saline solution & try to rinse her eyes out daily to help soothe the eyes.  Do not use any UVB for 1-2 weeks until her eyes improve.  Then, once you get the Reptisun 10, you can mount that 8 or so inches above her with the basking light directly beside it.  

The Reptiglo 10 coil light is not a basking light.  It is only a UVB light but it is a horrible light.  The compacts, coils & flourescent tube lights that are UVB do NOT put out sufficient heating to be used as a basking light.  So, a secondary light such as a household lightbulb must be used in order for them to have a basking source so they can be warm enough to digest their food.
You will need to get a digital probe or a temp gun to measure the temps, as well.
If she is not eating, you are going to have to start assist feeding her.  I would go ahead & get chicken or turkey babyfood to feed her with through a plastic dropper or a plastic syringe.  Try to get some oral fluids into her also.  That light has taken a toll on her & has dehydrated her as well.

Tracie