Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought another Nigerian about a month ago and it the poor girl is wasting away to nothing. For the first couple days she ate like a pig. Lately, she has barely touched her food and getting very lathargic (sp?). So I figured a vet visit was in order.

The vet agreed that she is waaay to skinny so we are getting her de-wormed and some bloodwork done. Frustrating this is that Petland (where I bought her) claimed that she had just had a thorough examination before they put her up for sale.

So... I need to get this girl eating more. First days or so she would feast on endive and bok choy and not touch anything else. Now she won't touch either. The only thing I can get her to eat is Hibiscus petals and superworms. I try not to feed many worms as I know it is not recommend but it is pretty much all she will eat. I'll hear the odd crunch coming from her cage meaning that she will occationally eat some pellets/birdseed but it just doesn't seem to be enough.

Enclosure params are correct... so can anyone suggest some tips on getting her to pig out?

Thanks

BTW... they said she was CB.

This is the time of year that uromastyx start brumation (rest period). During this time they usually stop eating and spend almost all of their time in the hide...which might be part of the reason for her lack of eating and her lethargy. However it could be something else too since you are saying she is thin and wasting away.

During brumation, some will come out to bask periodically for short periods of time....but its not recommended to let animals that are not in optimum condition brumate. (I don't know how to stop it though.)

You said..."So I figured a vet visit was in order"...I have to agree with you because you said she's wasting away.

You said..."I need to get this girl eating more"...what all have you tried to get her to eat? The diet I've used consists greens (dandelion, kale, collards, endive, ROMAINE lettuce, parsley, etc.) and veggies (sweet red pepper, carrots, sweet potato, squash, zucchini, etc.) and a small amount of fruit (apple, pear, melon, berries) and once in a while, dry lentils.

I know that you said the cage parameters were right....but just to be sure...What's the temperature in the basking spot? The temp. at the cool end of the cage? Is she getting UVB light?

Is she pooping? What are you using for a substrate? Do you give her any supplements?

She is offered the following:

Iguana Pellets, Lentils, Endive, Bok Choy, Dandelion (until it snowed a couple dats ago), Hibiscus, corn, fruit (applie, banana, strawberry, raspberries, prety much whatever from I have in the house), lima beans, peas, carrots.

Note: Not all on a regular basis and dusted once-twice a week with Uro Dust supplement

Basking spots:

1 @ 140f
1 @ 120f
Ambient temp: 24c
Warm side: 34c

UVA/UVB bulb

Substrate: washed play sand

Fecal: Not very regulary since she is not eating. Watery when she does

I know little about brumation. I understand for breeding purposes you lower temps during winter months. I have not lowered the temps at all. It may be a couple degrees cooler at night since winter is here but nothing significant.

You said the feces were "Not very regulary since she is not eating. Watery when she does"...generally watery would indicate a problem. I did find this on the net concerning uro dust (which I've never used)...
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1149636,1151240
"The only indication of something amiss was the sudden onset of runny stools quickly followed by constant straining with no fecal output."

You said..."Dandelion (until it snowed a couple dats ago)"...was it collected from areas where there would have been no insecticides or fertilizers used? You should be able to buy dandelions in the stores depending on where you live.

You said..."I understand for breeding purposes you lower temps during winter months. I have not lowered the temps at all. It may be a couple degrees cooler at night since winter is here but nothing significant"...sometimes it just takes the changing of the seasons to start them brumating (shorter days).

Sorry I can't be of more help. Maybe it needs to go back to the vets?

First, I really wonder what Petland's idea is of a "thorough examination." Then I have to ask, how many Nigerians are really being captive bred in the US & how many of those would be sold to a pet shop? Would anyone on this forum sell their prized hatchlings to a store?? Not likely. Oh, CB overseas? Whatever paperwork it takes to circumvent CITES.
Skribbs, the vet thing is the best thing. We've had lizards in the past that just do fine at first & then crash almost overnight. One thing of note, I see lots of fruits & corn & such listed in it's diet. No mention of mustards or turnips. What's their availability up thar in Canada? Just a personal observation but, I'd reverse that trend.
Best of luck!

Turnips I should be able to find. Do you feed every part or just the leaves? And I will take a look for Mustard green.

Vet visit went fairly well. Got the blood tests back and she doesn't have any problem with internal organs. However, the vet did say that she had some inflamation. The vet gave me some needles full of meds (not sure what) that I need to give her every 3 days for 6 doses. Also she has worms but two more visits should clear that up.

As for the CB vs WC... I'm pretty sure that she is a CB due to her personality. Loves being handle and is not nervous at all. My original Nigerian still runs and hides if I don't have a superworm or a bright flower in my hand... which leads me to believe she was WC. But that is just random assumptions.

Leaves & stalks. Far as I'm concerned, the bulb's not even fit for monkey consumption!