Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello...

I have a two year old eastern collared lizard who is very sick. He's lethargic, he's not eating or moving and he keeps getting thinner and thinner. The vet's only advice was to give him a warm bath and sent him home with a vitamin shot.

I have been giving him small doses of Jump Start and about .01 ml of liquid calcium glubionate suppliment daily. He spits out any food I try to give him and he won't swallow water. He looks deflated.

I'd appreciate any help that anyone can give me. Is there a typical brumation period? I live in northern Illinois and I can't imagine he would be trying to brumate at this time of year. Do eastern collareds have a low life expectancy?

They vet didn't give any suggestions? Weird. If he won't take any food or water, there really isn't much you can do. Longevity is upwards of 15 years if given adequate care.

What are your force-feeding methods? Children's syringes work great for administering babyfood or water. What are the cage conditions, such as heat, substrate, lighting? Also...male or female, and where did you get it?

John

It's a male and he was purchased at a PETsMART about 2 years ago.
He's usually on a sandy substrate and his temps are normal, between 80 and 90 regularly and cooler at night. He has a UVB light that was just replaced about two months ago and a basking lamp.
The vet said that she wasn't familiar with this type of lizard and couldn't really offer any help. She has taken care of my dragons and given them excellent care so I wasn't sure what to think. The emergency animal clinic here only has a reptile vet in two days a week and they run about 200 dollars for the exam, so I'd like to keep that as my last option.

I usually try to force feed him with a small plastic syringe that the vet provided. He won't swallow water, he just kind of lets it run out of his mouth and he will spit out food such as small crickets, greens, and any kind of mashed food. I bathe him once a day to try and keep him hydrated, but he's literally limp like a doll.

He did something very unusual the first year we had him, however. His enclosure was left uncovered by accident and he escaped to Lord knows where for about 3 months. We looked EVERYWHERE, even tore the couch apart thinking maybe he'd gotten in there and then one day he just marched right out into the middle of the living room. I have no idea if he'd picked a spot to sleep in or what but he came out, ate a whole bunch of food and has been thriving and growing until now.

What do you think?

How long did it take him to become lethargic, and "sink-in?" It could be he is slowing down for winter. I just talked to a breeder in the Chicago area, and he said some of his lizards have been off feed now. Perhaps central air could play a role?

80 and 90 degrees needs to be increased to 105-108 in the basking areas...

For water, don't offer so much. Probably 0.25 ml (cc) too much, and it will all run out like you said, or come out the nostrils.

I used Squash babyfood with some sort of meat while nursing a wc collared. It worked ok. Just try to get the mouth open enough and get the cricket down far enough that he can't spit it out.

You will have to do this for a long time. Did he check for parasites?

John Eddington

There was nothing to check when he was taken to the vet. He's been irregular with his bowel movements and understandably so. I've feared kidney or liver failure with the way he's been losing body mass so I've been trying to keep some fluids in him.
But that is something I will definitely do the next time I can get a sample. I'll also try the new temps and the squash idea.

I thank you SO much for your help. I will keep you updated on his condition. I hope he pulls through. If he doesn't start eating and moving around, at what point should I try and let him sleep for the winter and what should I do? Would I need a special enclosure or simply just turn out his lights?

He would likely perish...he needs to be healthy, and have an adequate supply of energy reserves to get him through. Sorry to hear he is doing so poorly. Next vet visit, see if they will give him a rectal (cloacal) swab to check for parasite eggs, if there is still no bowel movements to bring in.

Best of luck,

John Eddington

Keep him hydrated, and try and force feed, about all ya can do ! But sounds as if he has parisites, worms, they can act like that. Shame, hope he perks up alittle. Eve

sprayed in your house when he escaped? If so, he may have gotten some of it through contaminated insects. I don't know what insecticides do to lizards, but it can't be good.
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Let there be Lizardz.
- Scott