Could laundry detergent have harmed a sling?

[trup]

This afternoon I have moved my (E. campestratus) sling's enclosure into the laundry room because the main room was being cleaned. The washing machine was running at the time. When I was about to move the enclosures back, one of the slings appeared to be lethargic, crawled up sideways in his burrow, not responding to being touched with a brush. He only started moving fast when I was opening his burrow in an attempt to move him into an ICU, so I stopped the attempt, fixed his enclosure and put him back in again. He is now sitting in the position as in the attached picture, barely moving and barely responding to touch again. Any idea what might be wrong with him and what I should do? Could it be the laundry detergent that has caused this or is there another reason?

Some more general info:
-all the other slings which were moved in the same place are fine as of now;
-they are all being kept at a stable 24 degrees C / 75 deg F;
-he molted 12 days ago (1.03) and ate twice since then (7.03 and 11.03), I feed them half a mealworm twice a week;
-humidity in the room is around 50%, but the bottom layer of his enclosure (where he usually sits) is being kept quite moist at all times, with a small water dish available at the surface;
-while in the laundry room, they were kept on a cardboard box, around 1m away from the washing machine, and the door was 'half-open';

Some info to the picture:
-the water dish was moved next to the sling, there is a hole in the left part for where the water dish usually lies, and in the right part is a pre-made burrow in which he originally made his hide;
-the 'white stuff' is vermiculite, sand and a few springtails, no mold was detected;
-a piece of reindeer lichen is usually kept inside of the enclosure as well.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

To me, it looks like a stress curl. The vibrations/ noise of the washing machine probably stressed it out. Probably just leave it alone for a while and see if it starts moving around again after a few hours.

 

[vancwa]

Looks like it is going to molt soon. I would move it to a dark quiet place.

 

[cold blood]

brush. He only started moving fast when I was opening his burrow in an attempt to move him into an ICU, so I stopped the attempt, fixed his enclosure and put

An ICU isnt a fix all solution...in fact its more of a fix nothing solution....it can in many situations, actually be quite detrimental.....my advice is to forget the term and never ever even consider using an ICU.

idea what might be wrong with him and what I should do? Could it be the laundry detergent that has

Im sure its possible, but unlikely, especially considering the short time it spent there.

they are all being kept at a stable 24 degrees C / 75 deg F;

Temps arent exactly critical, neither is stability....anything over 68f and under 95f is fine.

humidity in the room is around 50%, but th

Humidity is not relevant to keeping ts...its all about keeping the sub damp or partially damp.....your slings enclosure however, is too damp...too much moisture is more detrimental than not quite damp enough. I like to suggest just dampening part of the sub to aviod over watering situations.

no mold was detected;

Mold isnt harmful or worrisome...just unsightly.

 

[viper69]

yes of course

 

[Kaden Bryant]

An ICU isnt a fix all solution...in fact its more of a fix nothing solution....it can in many situations, actually be quite detrimental.....my advice is to forget the term and never ever even consider using an ICU.


Im sure its possible, but unlikely, especially considering the short time it spent there.


Temps arent exactly critical, neither is stability....anything over 68f and under 95f is fine.

Humidity is not relevant to keeping ts...its all about keeping the sub damp or partially damp.....your slings enclosure however, is too damp...too much moisture is more detrimental than not quite damp enough. I like to suggest just dampening part of the sub to aviod over watering situations.

Mold isnt harmful or worrisome...just unsightly.

Can you explain why it’s more dangerous for it to be too wet than too dry?

 

[cold blood]

Can you explain why it’s more dangerous for it to be too wet than too dry?

because theyre not amphibians...lol.

Ts die at a much higher rate when kept too wet.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Also, when it's too damp and stagnant fungi and bacteria proliferate, which can easily kill a tarantula. Just as an example, that's part of the reason why so many people have trouble with Avics at first. They spray the enclosure a few times a day, there's poor ventilation, bacteria grows, and the spider doesn't survive. This is why for a lot of species (with some exceptions) it's recommended that they have dry substrate with a water dish.

 

[darkness975]

This afternoon I have moved my (E. campestratus) sling's enclosure into the laundry room because the main room was being cleaned. The washing machine was running at the time. When I was about to move the enclosures back, one of the slings appeared to be lethargic, crawled up sideways in his burrow, not responding to being touched with a brush. He only started moving fast when I was opening his burrow in an attempt to move him into an ICU, so I stopped the attempt, fixed his enclosure and put him back in again. He is now sitting in the position as in the attached picture, barely moving and barely responding to touch again. Any idea what might be wrong with him and what I should do? Could it be the laundry detergent that has caused this or is there another reason?

Some more general info:
-all the other slings which were moved in the same place are fine as of now;
-they are all being kept at a stable 24 degrees C / 75 deg F;
-he molted 12 days ago (1.03) and ate twice since then (7.03 and 11.03), I feed them half a mealworm twice a week;
-humidity in the room is around 50%, but the bottom layer of his enclosure (where he usually sits) is being kept quite moist at all times, with a small water dish available at the surface;
-while in the laundry room, they were kept on a cardboard box, around 1m away from the washing machine, and the door was 'half-open';

Some info to the picture:
-the water dish was moved next to the sling, there is a hole in the left part for where the water dish usually lies, and in the right part is a pre-made burrow in which he originally made his hide;
-the 'white stuff' is vermiculite, sand and a few springtails, no mold was detected;
-a piece of reindeer lichen is usually kept inside of the enclosure as well.
View attachment 336888

As others have said, it is doubtful that any major harm has befallen it.

But, an ICU is not something that should be used in any circumstance other than some incredibly uncommon case of extreme dehydration.

 

[Goopyguy56]

The vibration probably put it in fight or flight mode. Leave it alone for a while. Looks like it could be in premolt as well. That could explain the lethargy

 

[Vanessa]

Can you explain why it’s more dangerous for it to be too wet than too dry?

ICU's require high moisture and almost no ventilation and that is detrimental because it is the perfect environment for stagnant air and that is the fastest way to kill most tarantulas. Water isn't the issue - the lack of ventilation that ICU's have, in order to keep the paper towel constantly wet inside, is the issue.
There are far better alternatives to nearly every single situation that ICU's used to be prescribed for. Dehydration? It is far more effective for the spider to have their mouths placed over a dish of fresh water, or have water applied to their mouths directly. Moulting issues? Apply water with a brush or cotton swab directly to the limbs that are stuck.
Removing the animal and placing it in a poorly ventilated wet box is not in their best interest and, the longer they are in one, the worse the situation will become.

 

[trup]

Thanks to everyone for your response and valuable information! Indeed, the washing machine-induced stress was most probably the major cause, as the sling has come back to its lively, energetic self one day after being left alone in peace (no ICU or anything, thanks to your advice).