Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hopefully after seeing these pics, no one else will recommend euthanizing him. On at least one of the pics you can see the "bump" in the spine just above the base of the tail.

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He doesn't look like he's doing too bad at all. I do have to agree that the idea of wheels isn't a good one.

I could see it as "working" for other animals, but I just can't see it being the least bit plesant for a monitor, even as an eductaional aspect.

With so many posts, I got lost as to the fact if you were going to keep them on all the time or just for the shows? I would think all the time would be miserable for him. And if you have a enclosure with a decent level of dirt for burrows, he will get all the excersise he needs from burrowing, which he should be able to do fine with his front legs I would figure, so no need for any "walks".

I would also think that it would give more inspiraton to the kids seeing him in his natural state. If I were one of those kids, I would be even more happy to see an animal that has a "deformity" and is able to overcome his obsticle on his own, going into the world accepting the disadvantage and making the best of it. That would be very much more inspiring to me than one that can't overcome and is forced to use some sort of "cart"

To me, that would be more inspiring than anything.

Just something to think about or not.

-Jeff

Jeff, thanks, finally someone who wants to address the issue intelligently instead of continuing some sort of face saving arguement. I thank you.

Another member addressed the same issue of how it would be percieved by the children. I feel this is something that I must address and am planning on discussing it with the faculty at each facility in order to get their opinions.

As far as the wheels go, no, they would not be used 24/7. I did state that but it obviously got lost in all of the FR muck.

The one person suggested velcro also which for my purpose would be great. See, I take many of my monitors outside in warm weather for sun and excercise. I take them up into the hills behind my house and let them climb trees, dig for grubs or swim in the creek. During the day many of them also get the opportunity to bask on my patio or in the drive. Obviously the little guy would not be taken into the woods, but my concern here is that i would want to devise something that would prevent him from injury to his skin caused by dragging on the concrete or tile.

I appreciate your response but at this point i am still waiting for those against it to justify their reason. Thats all i am asking. Hopefully this whole point is mute anyway and he will overcome the paralysis. Fact is winter is now here so it will be several months before he would be able to go outside anyway so he has some time to grow and hopefully improve before i need to worry about it.

Thanks for your post, Don

hmm, well i just wanted to share, a somewhat related experience of mine, with one of my old iguanas
unlike your monitor, he received his lower spine paralysis from injury, so take that in mind, but he actually faired pretty well, other than the fact that he had problems defecating, to which i would soak him in warm water to assist, that stopped work and eventually, i think my vet encouraged me to use some form of laxative to help that... which i want to say contributed to his death, maybe from too much; a childhood stigma i had forgotten until i read your post

but, i know i let him out in the front yard with my other iguana, who was young and frisky, and i ended up tieing(sp?) their leashes together, using my "handicapped" iguana as an "anchor", because he would not really wonder off and weighed down then juvenile iguana, so he was a good babysitter for when i let them out in the front yard

as far as any dragging related injuries from "swimming" or dragging his back end... i dont seem to remember any.. but then again iguanas daily movement behavior differ from monitors, mine spent most of their time on branches on my back porch

sorry for the iguana reference, as i know this is not a "how iguanas are like monitors" forum, and they are much more arboreal, but i just wanted to share my similar experience... i hope your guy out grows his issues, but my iguana, other than those issues i mentioned, had a genereally "normal" lifestyle as my others... OH, but one last thing i remembered:
one time he did expose his "penis" or "hemi-penis", and was unable to retract it back with in his vent... leaving exposed and prone to drying out... i took him to the vet and he addressed the issue.. i cant remember if surgery was involved.. heh, not much good without the solutions, eh?
anyway, those were some of the things i ran into
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Christian M. Hidalgo
The Woodlands, TX 77381

You baby arg looks pretty good. However, I cant find the bump! I tried hard as heck to spot it! Perhaps a close-up is in order?
I hope I didnt offend you with my other post. I apoligized. I had some chat trouble with that earlier... Ugh... I dont want to do that again! : ) So I'm being careful with that now. I was tired and didnt take the time to read the last parts of the thread. As I see from your other posts (photo gallery or otherwise) your monitors look fantastic! What else do you keep?
By the way, Curly is gorgeous!

Ryan

ps: SOMEBODY REPLY TO MY JEFF CORWIN POST IN THE GENERAL DISCUSSION FORUM! I WANNA TALK ABOUT IT! cheers