After molt..DKS symptoms

[Holly]

I have had this brachypelma smithi for about 2 years now, got it as a sling. Up until this last molt a few weeks ago, all was well. Feeding on crickets and dubia's alternatively. Suddenly this past week it has been very jerky in it's movements and also very jumpy, flicking legs wildly. Not looking good, seems like it wants to feed, but also seems unable. Any Idea why this would come up so suddenly after all of this time. I did have a sling recently with same symptoms that died. I have done some reading on this, but no cause. Some afflicted arachnids have pulled through but mine seems to be losing substance now in body.

 

[Tnoob]

From my research most don't move out of that phase. No type of aerosols are allowed in the house, no smoking, candles, bug spray, or harsh chemicals. Pest control is done by a very good house cat that understands she's got a job to do, and we use Dawn soap for pretty much everything else. I hate to say this, but perhaps a Viking burial may be in order.

 

[Rs50matt]

Best thing I can suggest is to make sure the room you keep it in is ventilated well just in case there are substances in the air. Provide nice fresh water in a dish and is it struggling to eat or catch prey? If it’s struggling to catch then pre kill food. If not try making a “soup” with crickets or roach.

I don’t have any answers I’m afraid but hopefully it works out for you both

 

[Tnoob]

Best thing I can suggest is to make sure the room you keep it in is ventilated well just in case there are substances in the air. Provide nice fresh water in a dish and is it struggling to eat or catch prey? If it’s struggling to catch then pre kill food. If not try making a “soup” with crickets or roach.

I don’t have any answers I’m afraid but hopefully it works out for you both

Yeah, this can be very scary for a pet owner. Considering that cats and dogs can get it too.

 

[ilovebrachys]

Yeah, this can be very scary for a pet owner. Considering that cats and dogs can get it too.

I do hope that your not suggesting that if a cat or dog can get similar symptoms we should give them 'A Viking Burial' too?
that is really stupid advice if ever I read ithow is that going to help anyone or there T?

 

[Enn49]

DKS is not an illness but a symptom and therefore cannot be caught. It is thought to be the result of a Ts contact with chemicals

 

[ilovebrachys]

DKS is not an illness but a symptom and therefore cannot be caught. It is thought to be the result of a Ts contact with chemicals

Thankyou for Clarifying that @Enn49 to some of our members who are unaware of this

 

[Holly]

I keep 9 T's in my home office, the door is closed when I'm not home so "kitty" doesn't bother the enclosures. (This has been witnessed). Great ventilation with a ceiling fan and this room is at the end of the house. No issues and only use RO water for them. Just seems strange that all of a sudden about 2-3 weeks after molt the symptoms started. Sorry to be loosing this one, it's a real beauty I don't use sprays in the room, or anything that would be airborne when cleaning. Damp cloth works great. I'm glad that this is not contagious at least. Thanks for the info on DKS as I've only read a bit about the condition on "Tom's Big Spider's" website.

 

[ilovebrachys]

I keep 9 T's in my home office, the door is closed when I'm not home so "kitty" doesn't bother the enclosures. (This has been witnessed). Great ventilation with a ceiling fan and this room is at the end of the house. No issues and only use RO water for them. Just seems strange that all of a sudden about 2-3 weeks after molt the symptoms started. Sorry to be loosing this one, it's a real beauty I don't use sprays in the room, or anything that would be airborne when cleaning. Damp cloth works great. I'm glad that this is not contagious at least. Thanks for the info on DKS as I've only read a bit about the condition on "Tom's Big Spider's" website.

fingers crossed you wont lose your T - you can only do the best you can
There little Info out there about DKS or any other health issues affecting Ts-its a real shame as if we knew more about the problems they faced we would be able to do so much more to help them

 

[Holly]

Yes, I have been looking for more to learn about it...just depressing that there is nothing else that I can help it with. I do enjoy this site and interesting discussions. It definitely helps me to keep my T's happy & healthy with new knowledge!

 

[Tnoob]

I do hope that your not suggesting that if a cat or dog can get similar symptoms we should give them 'A Viking Burial' too?
that is really stupid advice if ever I read ithow is that going to help anyone or there T?

Yes, I am. Because those animals generally don't live the best life. I sure as **** wouldn't let Princess, my tortoise shell, cat live like that. She would be "made comfortable" and I would have a ceremony to celebrate her life. I also think you misunderstand the difference between a symptom, and a disease. Loss of motor control, not eating, and having an incomplete molt are the symptoms. DKS is the actual problem, or the disease. Now, I'm not here to judge anyone for their choices, but letting my animals suffer doesn't seem like a great idea, and yeah. Do what you can to help, but maybe it's not a great idea to watch them suffer or allow it. Do what you can, by all means. However, I am absolutely suggesting that you may find that's an option. I have many friends who own their own veterinary practice, and have worked with all manner of animals, from tarantula and iguana, to pigs horses, cows, the list goes on. Doesn't seem morally correct to allow your pets to suffer. Take the steps you can to help your animal. If that doesn't work, maybe other avenues should be explored. I also think it's a good idea to allow the topic creator to become prepared of the possible end result. It's not pretty, and I don't think anyone likes it. I certainly don't like saying it, but it may be a fact.

 

[Tnoob]

Yes, I have been looking for more to learn about it...just depressing that there is nothing else that I can help it with. I do enjoy this site and interesting discussions. It definitely helps me to keep my T's happy & healthy with new knowledge!

I'll see if I can help you find some links, Holly. Maybe we can find an alternative to my previous suggestion. Here's a link that I found this morning.
https://tomsbigspiders.com/2014/05/24/dks-dyskinetic-syndrome-in-tarantulas/

 

[ilovebrachys]

Yes, I am. Because those animals generally don't live the best life. I sure as **** wouldn't let Princess, my tortoise shell, cat live like that. She would be "made comfortable" and I would have a ceremony to celebrate her life. I also think you misunderstand the difference between a symptom, and a disease. Loss of motor control, not eating, and having an incomplete molt are the symptoms. DKS is the actual problem, or the disease. Now, I'm not here to judge anyone for their choices, but letting my animals suffer doesn't seem like a great idea, and yeah. Do what you can to help, but maybe it's not a great idea to watch them suffer or allow it. Do what you can, by all means. However, I am absolutely suggesting that you may find that's an option. I have many friends who own their own veterinary practice, and have worked with all manner of animals, from tarantula and iguana, to pigs horses, cows, the list goes on. Doesn't seem morally correct to allow your pets to suffer. Take the steps you can to help your animal. If that doesn't work, maybe other avenues should be explored. I also think it's a good idea to allow the topic creator to become prepared of the possible end result. It's not pretty, and I don't think anyone likes it. I certainly don't like saying it, but it may be a fact.

@Tnoob I fully understand the difference between a symptom and a disease -
this was someone asking for advice on 'symptoms' that there T was exhibiting and asking for any advice or knowledge on it-
your answer was to give up and give a 'Viking Burial' which wasn't helpful and I'm sure that @Holly would take the upmost care of her T but if the time comes it comes-you already just stated in your post that DKS is a symptom or a disease? so who is confused about it? not me?
talking of having cats and dogs put down if they show 'symptoms' is discussing and altogether different matter as it is a different problem in those animals-DKS is a symptom and not enough is known about it like many other issues in Ts
Its not right for anyone to let an animal suffer-I should know I treat and save hundreds of animals each year it is my job to so please do not undermine me or my understanding of this situation
I am only trying to help advise in the best way possible

 

[Tnoob]

@Tnoob I fully understand the difference between a symptom and a disease -
this was someone asking for advice on 'symptoms' that there T was exhibiting and asking for any advice or knowledge on it-
your answer was to give up and give a 'Viking Burial' which wasn't helpful and I'm sure that @Holly would take the upmost care of her T but if the time comes it comes-you already just stated in your post that DKS is a symptom or a disease? so who is confused about it? not me?
talking of having cats and dogs put down if they show 'symptoms' is discussing and altogether different matter as it is a different problem in those animals-DKS is a symptom and not enough is known about it like many other issues in Ts
Its not right for anyone to let an animal suffer-I should know I treat and save hundreds of animals each year it is my job to so please do not undermine me or my understanding of this situation
I am only trying to help advise in the best way possible

So am I. Do you think that perhaps you're misunderstanding what I'm saying?

 

[Tnoob]

@Holly
http://atshq.org/boards/viewtopic.php?t=24313&f=3
This was an interesting discussion on another forum that I found.

 

[ilovebrachys]

So am I. Do you think that perhaps you're misunderstanding what I'm saying?

No-if you had worded your original post with more explanation and detail than perhaps you may have come across explaining yourself better?
unfortunately your posts have a habit of being rather short and blunt which isn't helpful to anyone-
I would only respond to a post if I had knowledge on the question being asked? and had a reasonable answer to it

 

[Tnoob]

No-if you had worded your original post with more explanation and detail than perhaps you may have come across explaining yourself better?
unfortunately your posts have a habit of being rather short and blunt which isn't helpful to anyone-
I would only respond to a post if I had knowledge on the question being asked? and had a reasonable answer to it

Yes they are blunt. I like to get to the point. No bull****, no excessive information. Just keep it simple, and get the information that is necessary to the person seeking it. With that being said. Perhaps if you want to argue my modus operandi, then we should continue that argument in a private discussion, so Holly can have her post to help her get the information she's looking for instead of having to sift through a pissing contest between the two of us.

 

[ilovebrachys]

Yes they are blunt. I like to get to the point. No bull****, no excessive information. Just keep it simple, and get the information that is necessary to the person seeking it. With that being said. Perhaps if you want to argue my modus operandi, then we should continue that argument in a private discussion, so Holly can have her post to help her get the information she's looking for instead of having to sift through a pissing contest between the two of us.

just as I thought K.I.S.S end of
good luck @Holly with your T

 

[Tnoob]

@Holly this may also provide you some good information. I do hope things turn around for your tarantula. I do hope you understand that I'm not trying to be hurtful here.
http://thebts.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php/t-7481.html

 

[Tnoob]

just as I thought K.I.S.S end of
good luck @Holly with your T

I don't really understand what you're saying here. Can you be more specific? Also, do you have any links to other information about DKS, or are you just going to argue without even sighting your sources? Perhaps you may have some valuable information outside of just ruining your own credibility?