Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If anyone can please read my last post on the thread from Sav not eating on August 19th, I am getting desperate.

Thank you,

Eric
-----
Eric

Did you fix the humidity problem?

Yes I did, he has plenty of humidity in the cage now...he always had a 3 - 4 gallon water container..

Now he also has a 4 gallon hide spot that is filled with moistened aspen and 50% of the cage is moistened aspen as well...

Front legs seem basically paralyzed and overall now in really bad health.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Eric
-----
Eric

Ok...since last thread I raised the basking temp by elevating the hide spot which now gets close to 130 depending where he lays..

I also put in a large covered hide spot that has moistened aspen beading (i am getting more soil) and also lots of aspen beading that has been moistened in the cage for borrowing.

Today I took him out of the cage and put him outside in the sun light for 3 hours...and here is what I witnessed (just started today)

Completely stopped utilizing his front feet altogether...dragging them in front of himself. I took a syringe and administered 20cc of water with vitamins (calcium powder) as well as some pedialite (about 15 cc or so)

I also put a 150 watt HPS light over his cage for more natural sunlight and some more heat.

It has now been close to 4 weeks of no food...am I loosing him?

He has been offered everything, but since he is obviously not doing well I figured he would not eat a thing. I tried live crickets, frozen thawed rats, mice, turkey meat, eggs...I mean everything.

One thing I have been noticing but didn't think much of it since the vet said it was nothing to worry about is a raised scale on his spine about 2" from his neck.

It has gotten more raised since the past few months and am now questioning if he possibly has a tumor maybe some form of cancer affecting his spine? -

If anyone has any more suggestions I would really appreciate it. I know now the vet if probably the best place to contact but they will charge at least 200 just to walk in the door so I am guessing at least 500 for the visit like last time. I am in between jobs and trying to avoid this but am getting desperate.

Thank you,

Eric
-----
-----
Eric

Eric,
You need to get your sav to a genuine reptile Vet, and soon. I wouldn't take it back to the same Vet that told you not to worry about the raised scale on it's back. It wouldn't surprise me if that raised area turns out to be the cause of it not using its front legs.

From what you described, the raised area is on the sav's body, & probably close to the center of its front shoulders. It could be a tumor or a cyst. Looking back at your previous posts I suspect its a cyst that was caused by one or more factors, with stress & improper conditions being the two most likely factors. Being in such condition for so long has probably also allowed an internal infection. Having to treat it for parasites was a warning sign that something's not right somewhere.

Let a Vet administer meds, not husbandry advice. After shovin' drugs down the sav's throat you turned its home upside down. It has no will to live in a clean, sterile environment. Give it back its dirt & crank up the heat. But most importantly, get it to a qualified reptile Vet ASAP.

Keep us updated.

Hang in there!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com