Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I have recently added a large salvator to my collection, and have noticed a respiratory problem. I hear her "huffing" a little when I hold her and it seems like her breathing may be labored. I have medicated much smaller animals but seeing as how this is a big girl (5ft ) I do not know what type of medication or what else I can do for her besides lowering the humidity. Please help....

I think you are attacking this problem all wrong. Here's my advice.

Salvator are water monitors correct? Lowering the humidity isn't what you want to do, but aiming for ideal husbandry levels is what you want to do. If this normally calls for quite high humidity and you're worried about bacterial growth, then keep the humidity high in addition to increasing the ventilation. Furthermore, a range of humidity can be aquired, (and probably will be should you choose to attempt the aforementioned) with a moderate level cage wide, and higher areas under foliage and in hides.
You may want to adjust the temperature if you feel this guy is fighting infection. Keep the recommended gradiant, but also provide an additional 5-10F on the hot side, and raise the cool side 5F. (80F should be okay for the cool side) This is of course a temporary change.

For medicating this animal your vet may offer injectables, (you'll need a partner to restrain while doing this) or if eating, oral medications can be hidden in food. If you feel that this animal is sick enough to need medications, it should first be seen by a vet where prescriptions can be given as needed.

I don't know your experience, but monitors can sometimes breath hoarse and look "laboured" when pissed off. Perhaps this guy is just not enjoying the handling?

I hope this helps, if I left anything out, just ask

Ian

How sure are you that it's a respiratory problem and not an attitude problem?
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

OK. she is puppy tame and it is just a slight huff, not a huge problem. I will be adding two more lights to her basking area to keep her whole body heated and try for about 140-150 degrees there, as well as getting a 60-80% humidity level. Thank you guys...

She just laid 3 eggs. what can I do as far as her health? I don't want her to suffer any calcium deficiency or anything... Whats the best way to go about this?

Now we know why she was breathing heavy (eggs).

If she's still laying I would make some sort of "laying/nesting box," something simple like a low-walled cardboard box without a top filled with shredded paper should do since she's laying eggs on ths surface anyway.

As far as her health, I don't see any need for concern. You can give her a calcium supplement but I don't know if it's needed or usually done.

Not to take away from "joeysgreen" or this forum, but you can get some xcellent help & tips from the Monitor forum. There are several people there with the experience needed to give you better answers than I can offer specifically on egg related subjects.

Just click this link: forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=55#1351837
Post in the forum the link opens up to and don't worry about going to a specific species-type section. You'll get more responses from that main, general forum.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

No one can be an expert on every species, thus for general health, husbandry and breeding advice definately ask around in the forums where people really have a passion for that specific genera.

Furthermore, it's always good to bounce my advice off of others as I'm definately not an encyclopaedia, but just one opinion.

Ian

Hey thank you guys so much! she ended up laying 7 eggs, so far. The eggs look great and i have already got them set up in an incubator... My female is just a little underweight but she is looking good. Thank you again! wish me luck...