Force feeding a monitor(or any reptile for that matter) is quite possibly one of the worst things you can do for an extremely skinny, dehydrated, and close to death animal. Reptiles are not like us mammals, and can go long periods without food with little or no repercussions.

This animal, even if it was able to eat on its own, would strategically choose not to feed, as in its weakened state, food would only make matters worse-as the digestive system(among other organ systems) is comprimised and would not be able to carry out its duty effectively.

Feeding shouldn't even be considered with animals in such poor shape. Get the animal hydrated and responsive, then offer food later on, once the animal's condition has improved. Surely worrying about getting food into its stomach when the animal is dying is the wrong approach to have.

I would also have to disagree with you in that hydration and parasite elimination should be treated as 'equals', as I have pointed out in my previous posts. Reptiles can and do live with parasites, but reptiles cannot live without proper water concentrations within the body... Which would be more imperative to the survival of a reptiles? Something that a reptile needs, or eliminating something that a reptile can live with?
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