loud breathing

[Donnie_K]

That's the problem with heat rope, but it can still work well if kept closer together and used wtih a rheostat or dimmer switch as long as you have a good temp gun.

[Donnie_K]

btw, what did the temp gun read on the cool side?

[Vighorr]

77 - 82F surface temp & 85 - 86F air temp during day
73 - 75F surface temp & 77 - 79F air temp at night

Room temp is mostly 68F during winter here, so the overall cage temps are maybe 3 - 4F higher when it's not freezing outside.  Our windows are made with single-glazed glass so the cold gets inside more easily.  I minimalize handling now to only when needed, I wouldn't be surprised if my retic caught his little illness during handling times, although handling is mostly around 5 to 10 minutes max.  But that's maybe enough to trigger it.

[Donnie_K]

It's gonna be those night time cool side temps. Like I mentioned earlier, any time you let the temps drop below 75, you are asking for an RI. When you're handling them they're usually getting some heat from your body. Glad to hear she's doing better though, and it sounds like you should have her back on track in no time.