My Garter is sick!

[Jackie]

Hi guys,

My male checkered garter is worrying me a little at the moment!
He was born on May 4th, lived with me since Sept 10th.

He seems really apathetic; yesterday when I got back from work and took him out of his tank he wouldn't even move for a good 10 seconds and then only started really slowly (and normally he starts moving straightaway when I only open the door of the tank!) - I doubt he's either too warm or too cold, I have a heating mat under only one side of the tank and he normally lies on the other, if he was too cold he would go to the warmer side, wouldn't he? And he certainly can't be too warm because it's not very warm in my room. I've been feeding him fish (haddock filet) and put calcium, vitamin B1 and D powder on his food every second week, which he was taking just fine. I feed him only once his week, which is what his breeders did when I got him and I didn't want to change his habits. He might be about to shed, which is normally when he gets a little slower and less active but to be honest he's never been this weird! Yesterday he wouldn't eat (but again, he normally doesn't eat when he's about to shed). This morning I offered him food again and luckily he took 2 small pieces (something at least) Also, he looks a little deflated.
Do you have any idea what could be the issue? Tobe frank he seems to be better today - yesterday I was almost sure he would die over night! But even if he's better now, it would be good to figure out what was/is the problem!

Had a look on the internet but nothing really fits in.
Hope you can help!

Thanks a lot in advance,
Jackie

[guidofatherof5]

Hard to make a call. Is this fish store bought, frozen? What country of origin? Is he tongue flicking normally? Any additional info. would be great. I would first suggest a Vet. check up as this seems serious.

[d_virginiana]

Agree with Steve, that sounds odd.

When you say it took him 10 seconds to start moving, was he just sitting normally and not moving, or was he limp and non-responsive?

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I would also like to add if he is a baby that he needs to be fed more often maybe 3 times a week and I would try to vary the diet maybe add in some nightcrawler worms (not red wigglers), and pinkies.

[ObsidianDragon]

Yeah, I feed my garter every 3 days. I'm not sure how old he is (someone here has a pair of his siblings and may know, but I forgot to ask the breeder), but going by when I got him, probably about the same age. Maybe a bit younger.

What exactly are the temps of the enclosure, do you know?

I've had mine be temporarily pretty non-responsive, when he managed to wedge himself under his water dish and make himself cold. /eyeroll He was normal after that, though.