Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It has been almost 11/2 weeks and the new male has lost a lot of weight, I tried to hand feed him a few times and no go, today I opened his mouth hith my hand and put in a cricket, he chomped on it and swallowed it I did this three more times and he eat them all, on the fith one he wouldn't swwallow it and just spit it out, how often should I do this and how many should I feed him, I think I'm going to mix up the bugs with crickets, super worms and wax worms, his tail reserve and legs are looking bad so I think it's do or die at this time.

Cecil
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1.1 Bearded Dragon (Drago,???)
1.1 Desert Iguana(Dima, Dianne)
1.0 Green Iguana (Igor)
2.3.5 Collared Lizard (Fred, Wilma, Betty,???)
1.1 Desert Leopard Lizard (Simba, Kimba)
0.1 Hamster (Tofu)
1.1 Kids
0.1 Wife

I would keep the meals small and often Cecil. If he can eat 3 bugs without spitting them out then keep it at 2 or 3 but feed him maybe 3 times a day if at all possible. You may want to try adding a few droppers of chicken with vegtable baby food add some calcium, if the bugs are hard for him to handle.

Also there a dog food for anorexic dogs, I forget the name, I used a brand of it when my older dog had cancer. Give Elan a holler she uses it on sick collareds too.

It's important to keep the temps up while they need extra care, and small but frequent meals. Make sure he also gets water, they can dehyrate fast.

We are all pulling for him, Let us know how ya make out
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Hill's Prescription A/D (the same company that makes Science Diet) is what I use for anorexic lizards. I mix a touch of liquid calcium and a couple of drops of water and feed the paste from a syringe. It works miracles.

First, however, I'd treat for parasites. I recommend Flagyl and Panacur if you have not already done so.

élan
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5.6.0 Collareds
1.2.0 Leopard Lizards
1.0.0 Mali Uromastix
1.2.0 Green Anole
1.0.0 Chinese Dwarf Newt
1.0.0 White's Treefrog
1.0.0 Fire bellied toad
1.0.0 Treefrog (Alabama native)
Even More Felines
1.3.0 Canines
1.0.0 Equine

I found this, it sounds EZ enough, any clue where I can buy this stuff I shopped aroud and no luck

There are several drugs that are frequently used to treat parasitic infections in reptiles and amphibians. I have only listed and discussed the most commonly used medication. The first two being used most often, and quite effectively.
PANACUR (Febendazole):
Dosage Effective Against:
50-100 mg/kg by mouth once, repeated in 2 weeks Nematodes
100 mg/kg by mouth every 48 hours X 3, repeat in three weeks ascarids in box turtles

There are no neurological or other toxic effects listed in Mader's Reptile Medicine and Surgery, although I imagine there are some adverse effects to this drug, especially if overdosed. In general this drug is considered to be fairly safe and is used widely. It was developed for use in horses. Do note that it is mainly effective against Nematodes.

FLAGYL (Metronidazole):
Dosage Effective Against:
250 mg/kg by mouth once, repeat in two weeks Flagellates
100mg/kg by mouth once, repeat in two weeks, and four weeks Protozoans
25-40mg/kg by mouth once, repeat in 3 to 4 days Flagellates
50mg/kg by mouth, every 24 hours X 5 to 7 days Anaerobes

This is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal agent commonly used in reptile medicine. A high dose of metronidazole may induce clinical signs of vestibular disease with head tilt, circling, and dysequilibrium. Treatment is supportive and clinical signs are reversible. This is another drug that is often used to treat parasites in our animals. It is also generally regarded as a safe drug when used properly. Note that it is effective against Flagellates, protozoans and anaerobes when given in the proper dosages.

I believe this drug is an ingredient in one of the products sold in pet stores ... of course this medication would be very watered down and would not be nearly as effective as the actual medication that your vet would prescribe for your reptile. I do not recommend using medications bought in pet stores.
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1.1 Bearded Dragon (Drago,???)
1.1 Desert Iguana(Dima, Dianne)
1.0 Green Iguana (Igor)
2.3.5 Collared Lizard (Fred, Wilma, Betty,???)
1.1 Desert Leopard Lizard (Simba, Kimba)
0.1 Hamster (Tofu)
1.1 Kids
0.1 Wife

You're probably going to have to get these from your vet.

The Metronidazole (Flagyl) is available without a prescription for fish, but it is usually found in a powder or tablet form, and it is difficult to mix in a suspension that won't settle out.

Panacur is offered in a paste for horses, but I don't know if I'd be comfortable trying to get the correct dosage from that paste for an animal so small.

These are pretty standard drugs for a vet to carry, so that's where I'd go if I were you. By the way, the Prescription A/D is also available only at the vet's office.

élan
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5.6.0 Collareds
1.2.0 Leopard Lizards
1.0.0 Mali Uromastix
1.2.0 Green Anole
1.0.0 Chinese Dwarf Newt
1.0.0 White's Treefrog
1.0.0 Fire bellied toad
1.0.0 Treefrog (Alabama native)
Even More Felines
1.3.0 Canines
1.0.0 Equine

My new vet, a specialist who only works with reptiles gave me a 1g packet of Panacur granules (The packet actually says for use on small animals, cats and kittens). I've just got the two collareds at the moment, so his advice was as follows:

Weigh the lizards and ensure that they have a minimum weight of 28g. Then split the granules into two 0.5g batches. Put one half away for later use and use the other 0.5g.

Next step is to use the 0.5g over a period of 3 days, sprinkling on their feed like you would calcium dust. I found that as it is not as fine as calci dust it doesnt stick, so I fed my lizards only every other day, and sprayed the food with a little water before sprinkling the wormer on. The lizards ate the food straight away, but I had to be careful to take Yoda out after he'd had his half as he has a bigger appetite than Yoshi. I didnt want him to OD.

After 2 weeks you repeat the same steps again over 3 doses to kill any remaining parasites.

NB: The day I forgot to take Yoda out so Yoshi got her dose he ate all 4 locusts, there were no adverse affects and when I called the vet he said it is not possible to overdose as it has no adverse affects on the lizard itself, only the parasite.

Word of warning: I used small locusts to feed my collareds, first time I realised ther granules wouldnt stick to the live food I used a dab of vegetable oil to get it to stick to the hoppers. Why I have no idea, but they were all dead within minutes. This doesnt happen when you do it with water !!!

Another thing: This is a non-prescription drug and therefore I was able to buy it over the counter at the vets surgery. I called a second vet to ask if they had an alternate means of administration and they gave me the same instructions. My lizards are looking fatter around the legs and hips since being wormed, it looks like it worked. Yoda got a double dose and was ok afterwards.