Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About four weeks ago we took in two recue savannah monitors. Both were dehydrated and one was severly malnourished and suffering from MBD. The sickest one is small and young, about 12-15 inches.

Anyway, the healthier of the two is doing great but the other still is not. I am just not sure what else I can do.

We have been syringe feeding it a mixutre of AD, vitamins, water and calcium. The only improvment I have seen has been it is somewhat hydrated now. We have had fecals done and treated them appropriately.

The one that doesn't eat, I have tried putting pinkies, superworms, crickets, ground turkey in its mouth and it spits it out like it thinks it is disgusting. It will swallow anything I put in my syringe because it is biting the syringe the entire time! ROFL

The front foot is non functional. It just kinda flops. I have put a small piece of tape to hold it into place, hoping if nothing else it will fuse foward instead of flopping.

Anyway, I was just wondering what the chances are that this monitor is ever going to be ok. I don't want to give up too early but I am just wondering if it ever will eat on it's own. It is strong enough, it can run, dig and tail whips me when given the chance <G>

I did try not feeding it for a few days to see if it would develop an appetite and that didn't work either.

Is it time to give up?
Thanks
Nina

well, I don't know about monitor rescues but I took in a four foot iguana once....MBD, broken jaw and calcified leg, slight twisted spine and very dehydrated.
I syringe fed it for four months. It came around and started eating. She lived for another year plus before dying of kidney damage (from her former life). My vet was astounded that she lived that long. But I gotta say I wouldn't give up on your Sav yet....how long has it been?
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Sonya

I guess that is pretty much what I was thinking of. What are the odds of a recovery that is going to be somewhat normal? With as many savannahs as are out there need rescued, I hate to put the energies into a dying one that will only live a year. Not to sound harsh, but by having this one, there could be several out there that AREN"T to this point yet that will be if someone doesn't take them soon. Does that make sense?

I have two people wanting to dump savannahs right now. If I knew I could save them to go on to leading a normal life, I would do that rather than just prolonging the death of this one for a year.

Don't mean to sound too harsh, but to me, saving ones that have a chance of living a normal life seems more important.
Thanks
Nina

I think it's admirable what you are doing. Do you know why he just won't come around? Try and give it the best shot you can. I think it is lucky to have you trying to save it. Just remember while you are helping it survive that you are the only one that can help that individual monitor. Best of luck!!!

Thanks! I just keep feeling bad thinking maybe it is suffering. ONE good sign is tonight I saw him snap his head towards a super worm. He didn't eat it but he DID notice it and that was a first.

Nina