Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just rescued 2 adults.
I was told they were a breeding pair and have been together for more then a year. They get along

Her - some times I notice a little redness around her mouth, she has a bit of an overbite, is she biting her own lip? any one hear of this?

Him - he is beautiful, but this morning I noticed some hard 'stuff' sticking out of his vent, I brushed at it and it didnt come off, I left it. What could this be?

Any of the above sound worrysome?
Thanks

Also, the female, has had eggs in the past, I want to breed her with my current male. Neither have adenivirus(sp).
Do I need to wait until next year to mate them? or can I put them together earlier?
Thanks

The overbite is a sign of MBD and may be correctable with proper calcium supplementation. I think I'd have her get a radiograph (x-ray) or blood test to assess this if you are looking to breed her. It takes a lot of calcium to shell eggs and it could be problematic if she is skeletally calcium deficient already. A picture would be helpful.

My other thought is that if she has been living with a male she has most likely already been mated and you won't know who the father of the babies is.

Something hanging out of their vent isn't all that uncommon. It's just some part of something they ate most likely. I just pull it out gently if I'm concerned or want to interact with him/her.

As they are new rescues, I don't recommend letting either anywhere near your other dragons, at least for three months. As for being adrenovirus free.. there is no way to know this for certain without testing (not even sure if there is a way to test for it if no obvious signs are showing...but i could be wrong)

The redness of the mouth on the female could be due to the over bite or mouth rot, or even just diet. (red dye, fruit, flowers etc, can cause stain the mouth red) A vet check for both with stool samples for fecals are definitely called for.

Something hard sticking out of a vent could be...many things...give him a soak in water for 5-10 minutes and gently try and pull it out should work. What it could be, hard to say...insect parts, sperm plug, dried feces, etc...)
-----
PHLdyPayne

I talked to the previous owners, she has had the overbite since he got them as a babies.
And laid 2 clutches of eggs 3 months ago.
I dust her worms with calcium daily.

and so I am ready, for an x-ray and bloodwork do-up how much will it set me back?

also what do you all pay per stool sample test? just curious...

I'm really involved in the reptile rescue thing these days and have brought a vet into my group. So all my care is free now. I used to pay $20 if I just dropped off a sample for an in office check. A lab test was closer to $40. Keep in mind when a vet checks a fecal in the office they only look for pinworms and coccidia. If I wanted the vet to see an animal and prescribe treatment then I think it was another $40? Keep in mind I live in a rural area too.

Adenovirus has no symptoms. It's like HIV in that the animals die from weakness to another cause (ie. virus, infection, etc.). Your vet can send out for a test for it.

I'd like a picture of the dragons mouth from the front if possible. Her jaw is most likely a result of MBD. Softening of the lower jaw is an early result of improper calcium supplementation or UVB exposure.

If she laid eggs 3 months ago I wouldn't even consider trying to get her to lay again this year. She probably won't anyway regardless of your wishes and the males advances will just be abusive to her. Sorry.

I think I posted a pic,

I am told the overbite formed when she was a juvy,
she is rather plain, the male I also got is spectacular,

He appears in perfect health, however after testing I have the desire to sell him. Any one got an idea of his value?