Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 American Alligators, have had them both for about 3 years. They are both very healthy and very good eaters. I will go into the details of there housing and enviroment later if needed. But I have been raising Crocodilians for about 35 years.
My one gator seems like he has problems, his front legs have grown but not devloped any muscle tone? My other animal about the same age is very, very healthy and strong. I noticed this morning that my questionable animal neck is bent and something seems wrong. He has eaten very good about 2 days ago. His tail is loaded with body fat, and looks really healthy otherwise. I suspect either a birth defect or possible MS type thing. I don't really know, he saw a vet about a year ago and was given a clean beill of health? I am worried, I wam wondering if I should adopt him out and see if one of you can help him become a normal animal. Any idea's or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Ross

I have 2 American Alligators, have had them both for about 3 years. They are both very healthy and very good eaters. I will go into the details of there housing and enviroment later if needed. But I have been raising Crocodilians for about 35 years.
My one gator seems like he has problems, his front legs have grown but not devloped any muscle tone? My other animal about the same age is very, very healthy and strong. I noticed this morning that my questionable animal neck is bent and something seems wrong. He has eaten very good about 2 days ago. His tail is loaded with body fat, and looks really healthy otherwise. I suspect either a birth defect or possible MS type thing. I don't really know, he saw a vet about a year ago and was given a clean beill of health? I am worried, I wam wondering if I should adopt him out and see if one of you can help him become a normal animal. Any idea's or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Ross,
I am no vet(although I do do all my "vet work" personaly) and I certainly can't say for sure sight unseen but although I have never seen the problem you describe in a crocodilian before over the the years I have seen a few turtles with the muscle tone problems you describe. In those cases(three) although the problem was never completely fixed it was greatly reduced in about six months by increasing exposure to ultraviolet light and increasing the variety in the diet. It may not be the same thing at all but it certainly can't hurt and if your not already doing it I would give it a shot. Unless of course someone else can tell you for sure exactly what the problem is and the cure. If you can post a picture it might help someone give you a more definate reply.

Seth

If you are not doing this already, add a calcium/phosphorous/vitamin suppliment to their food items. Maybe this particular gator is more susceptible to diets low in these nutrients. Is your diet varied? Try adding whole fish (not goldfish) to their diet. Also, if you have been doing this for 35 years then I shouldn't question your environment/s, but if he spends the majority of his time in the water and hardly ever comes out onto land then this can affect his muscles and even his spine. I have seen awful examples of crocodilians kept only in water for even just a few years, not able to walk when placed on the ground. Just something to think about. If he doesn't get a lot of exercise, give him a daily program of it. I make my bigger, older gators walk/run 100 feet across their enclosure for each small piece of their food, or if they are in the water I make them swim 50 foot laps for each piece. Just to ensure that they get a nice workout and are less susceptible to lethargy and heart disease. As a result they are really quite fit. I have a 37 year old, 7 foot gal that gallops like a cuban croc when I call her name. (I teach them all their names early on)

Anyhow,. I hope this helps somehow.

>>I have 2 American Alligators, have had them both for about 3 years. They are both very healthy and very good eaters. I will go into the details of there housing and enviroment later if needed. But I have been raising Crocodilians for about 35 years.
>>My one gator seems like he has problems, his front legs have grown but not devloped any muscle tone? My other animal about the same age is very, very healthy and strong. I noticed this morning that my questionable animal neck is bent and something seems wrong. He has eaten very good about 2 days ago. His tail is loaded with body fat, and looks really healthy otherwise. I suspect either a birth defect or possible MS type thing. I don't really know, he saw a vet about a year ago and was given a clean beill of health? I am worried, I wam wondering if I should adopt him out and see if one of you can help him become a normal animal. Any idea's or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
>>
>>Ross
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True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.

We took in an A. Miss from the Humane Society. It had been kept in a pool with no area to move on dry land. It can't hold itself up and drags itself through the enclosure. Swims very well and has no probs in the water. This one is 4'3" and pretty healthy in all aspects except for the loss of muscle tone in the legs. We have him in a sepreate enclosure with a shallow pool that requires him to hold himself up. In just a few weeks, we have noticed a dramatic change in his mobility on land. He still drags his body but is much quicker and is now tryin to push his torso off of the ground. We hope that by next summer he should be able to walk with no problem.

It could well be a simple matter of limiting his time in deep water to help regain muscle mass

or

it could be, as with humans and every other species of animal, a deformity. Just have to make special provisions to accomidate for it.

post a pic and let's see if we can help.

Also as for the diet...It is very important that they get a good suplly of nutriants. We feed with bone fur and scale. All of the things they get in the wild. If needed we will suppliment their diet with outside means.

This is helping very much. I am very worried, he is acting very strange. Doesn't seem to have any equalibriam either. He is bending his neck around and swimming in a circle. He acts very uncomfortable. I think that you guys have hit the nail on the head with the lack of excercise and staying in the water to much. He is almost 3 feet long. Again I am quite worried and it is very sad to watch. Should I get him out of the water for a bit and keep him warm and dry. I have given both my animals a good nutient suppliment. There diet is varied but between chicken, beef and cat fish, all sprinkled with vitiman. But, I have to say I have not given them much in the way of whole prey, and I know that is wrong, I was just hoping to keep them on a variety of good lean meats and fish and stuff. Do you think it is to late to bring him back to good health. He is so healthy otherwise. He eats real good, his color and mouth and teeth are all very good. I will keep you all posted. The help is great, but I am feeling gulity now?
Ross

I have seen crocs fed perfect diets die off with no warning. I have also seen crocs fed hotdogs exclusively and live long lives. All you can do is feed them the proper diet, let them have water(deep enough to submerge in), not stress them, and hope it goes well.
Michigan Crocodilian Rescue

This is helping very much. I am very worried, he is acting very strange. Doesn't seem to have any equalibriam either. He is bending his neck around and swimming in a circle. He acts very uncomfortable. I think that you guys have hit the nail on the head with the lack of excercise and staying in the water to much. He is almost 3 feet long. Again I am quite worried and it is very sad to watch. Should I get him out of the water for a bit and keep him warm and dry. I have given both my animals a good nutient suppliment. There diet is varied but between chicken, beef and cat fish, all sprinkled with vitiman. But, I have to say I have not given them much in the way of whole prey, and I know that is wrong, I was just hoping to keep them on a variety of good lean meats and fish and stuff. Do you think it is to late to bring him back to good health. He is so healthy otherwise. He eats real good, his color and mouth and teeth are all very good. I will keep you all posted. The help is great, but I am feeling gulity now?
Ross

About 9 yrs ago I had a Black Caiman that was acting very similar to what you are describing especially the contorting of the neck and head. He was eventually diagnosed with seizure disorders. Unfortunately the vets had difficultly with this diagnoses because he did not exibit typical seizure movements. After several years with me he sadly died d/t his disorder. At the time their wasnt much my vets could suggest. Possibly this might be something your vet could check for. Hope this is helpful. Jason