Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My coworker bought a male and female Uro for her son. Last night she noticed that the male is laying in the sand and won't move his head/neck. He keeps it twisted at a crooked angle. Normally the male loves to be handled, but when her son tried to pick him up, he started thrashing around. When he was returned to the sand, he resumed his original position. She's afraid that one of the children she was watching 2 days ago picked him up and dropped him while she was out of the room, but it's only a guess. She is looking for a vet to take him to, but do you have any suggestions/advice until she can get him to the vet?

Hmmmmmmm....

A few things:

1) The female may have bit him on the neck HARD. Check for that.

2) He may just be in that position because his bones hurt (MBD). Mine had it (MBD) in its early stages last winter. Sort of like rickets or arthritis. And so mine would sometimes position themselves funny, locking out their bones, even sleeping standing up (yes, I said standing up, like a horse).

3) Maybe he has an ear infection.

4) Maybe it's all in their heads, are you sure he will not move his neck, even when left alone for a while and no longer startled?

I don't think he was hurt being dropped, they fall very well, and always seem to land on all fours. I'd give the scenarios these chances of being the cause: 1/30%, 2/25%, 3/2%, 4/10%. That's all I can offer for now, good luck!
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Mark Martinez
University of Florida

Don't move him until the vet can see him. Treat him just like you would a person with a neck/spinal injury and for heaven sakes get a locking cage or put the animals in a locked room to keep this from every happening again.