Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My argus monitor (Bubba) has been getting sick the past few days. He ate two days ago. We've been feeding him raw chicken breasts. His cage was cleaned one week ago, but prior to it being cleaned it was pretty dusty. He has been a little sluggish since then. We noticed a few hours ago that he has some snot coming out of his nostrils. In the past 6 to 8 hours, he has just been laying under his light and his breathing is labored. We're taking him to the vet in the morning, but we'd like some advice on what we can do in the meantime to get him through the night.

Any advice is appreciated.

In all likelihood, this is all husbandry related.

What are your temps?

What is the humidity in and out of his moist hides?
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Mike Heinrich,
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
www.amazontreeboa.org

I would advise to stop feeding a diet of chicken breasts.
It is too often that I've been seeing people feeding their carnivorous animals a diet of pieces of meat.
In addition to internal problems, their animals are deformed and they have no idea. It is nearly unbelievable that they don't notice the problems.
Simply put, Pieces of meat do not have proper nutrients. And with any animal not housed outdoors there is no way for the animal to process any calcium eaten if any.
Let us know what your vets says and do searches on improving varanid husbandry on this forum, it is written dozens of times.
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WWW.LIZARDRC.COM

Respiratory infection. See the vet. Keep the cage above 80*F at all times. Keep heat on the Argus day and night. They don't do well in cold or cold wet cages. Cold to these animals is below 65*F too. Basking area should be gunning over 130*F or thermometering like 120-125*F minimum. Good luck.