Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Whew!! After the mixed species thread, maybe we can use a brief pause (very brief...).
Anybody out there have some experience with enticing Uros to open their mouths for hydration or force feeding? Not quite so simple as intubating a snake.
I believe they're literally thousands of import Uros being purchased that simply have stress-caused "lock jaw". They won't eat & the owners don't know what to do or how to initiate force feeding or force hydration as a last resort. Most of them simply waste away until beyond hope.
Can we get some input on this from those who've been there?

I've had way more experience than I ever wanted with this lately, and now that I've got my technique down, I don't ever seem to have trouble getting mouths open. But I don't think I could explain what I do. Mostly it's gentle (but firm) patience and careful maneuvering of the syringe (needle-less, of course).

One of my uros came with a severe mouth infection that is not clearing up. I'm in the midst of a three MONTH treatment that involves DAILY dosing. It is NOT fun for either of us.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

They can certainly be stubborn when they want to be. I thought I had it down how to get their mouths open...till they proved me wrong. Most of the time I was able to do it required three hands (I had to give them meds for nematodes) Since I only have two I'd get their mouth open then when I tried to get the syringe of meds they would either get their mouth closed again or get lose.
The best success I had was using the tip of the syringe to lift the edge of their mouth on the side towards the back and let a little med get on their gums/teeth. They usually opened their mouth then because it leaked through their teeth. Sometimes it takes a while though, because one I also had to do this to because they were dehydrated. I used the syringe the meds came in to get him to take water.
They sure are stubborn though.
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**Kenn**

Rubber spatula start in the corner and slowly work it back and forth they will usually open .This is soft so it wont hurt if they bite on it.I have better luck when they are warm from basking.
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1 Saharan named "Flick"
1 Mali named "URO" We will never forget you button!
1 Sharan named "ELBE" I miss you!
1 Sharan named Tater
1 Saharan named Puff

Minimal experience doing this with Uro's but one thing that helps is firmly wrapping them in a small towel which prevents them squirming to much and hurting you or getting away. I used that with beardeds back in the day and it worked great.
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1.1 Ornates (Lindsay Pike)(Doug Dix)
0.0.1 Mali
0.0.1 Egyptian
0.1 Weimaraner

of the time for me is: Hold the lizard firmly with its fore limbs down the body just behind the neck with your thumb and forefinger directly behind the jaw bone. Then take your other hand and gently put your thumb and fore finger over the nostrils. Usually they will open right up but you need someone else to give the meds.

really that works with uros? i know it works with collared easily but i have yet to actually get a uro to open its mouth up wide. i usually just do the wait for them to lick their lips while the medicine is just sitting there tactic. knock on wood, i haven't had to force feed a sick uro
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vonnie

***Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. Oscar Wilde ***

Tom, I like your idea best, & it's so simple! Playing with Claymore ( my kat ), sometimes I'll put my fingers over his nose & an open-mouth response is guaranteed! Makes sense that it'd work on lizards as well. Gotta breathe!
Thanks everyone for your suggestions & I'll keep all of them in mind. I've been fortunate enough to have not had many Uro health problems over the years but have one now that may need some attention.

I've never thought of that idea before and it sounds great but it's opening its mouth to breath... seems like you'd have to be extra careful to make sure it doesn't aspirate any medicine or choke? Not sure but figured it was worth mentioning

Hmmm... Good thinking. Next question. Someone please detail the difference between snake & lizard respiratory systems. With a snake, if you intubate & avoid the epiglottis, all should be good. With a lizard, what're the guidelines?