Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My malis hatchling has a sore on the front of its mouth from glass danceing. I am treating that with neosporon, but because of it it stoped eating. I am trying to force feed it but i cant get its mouth open, and i dont want to hurt it, what should i do it is really starting to lose weight. I am giving it baths to hydrate it. I know it is not impacted or have any parasites because i actaully hatched it. So what is the best way to get the mouth open without hurting it. I bought a fluker farms repta aid. It is a kit to bring back dehydrated animals, or reptiles like mine with a sore on its mouth that wont eat. So i need to know what is the best way to force feed ASAP. My hatchling is a little dehydrated, went from 23 grams to 17 grams. I know this is definately not good, but if i can force feed it and keep it alive and well until the sore on the mouth heals i will be in good shape. If i cant force feed it by tuesday i am taking it to the vet.
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Mike
1.1.3 maliensis (Spike, Marshmellow, Brown, Green, Orange)
0.2 Female U. Acanthinurus-Werneri x
0.1 Pit Bull/German Shephard/ Lab/ ect. mix (Kodak) - looks like an over grown toco bell dog.

I think i know how to consistantly without harming my little know how to open his mouth. I gently push down at the center of the jaw. His head moves down and then when it stops moving down the jaw opens up. I am not pulling it hard or prying the mouth open, i just gently push down then i put my finger underneath its teath so it doesn't close its mouth then i put the syringe in and slowing inject the stuff into the center and rear part of the mouth. I did this about 10 times with 3cc. I would do a little stop so it can swallow and stick its head up then repeat. Should i just do it all at one time? Should i inject the food faster. Also, now it weighs 19 grams. So it got about 2 grams of food in him. Also, the force feeding kit i have says you should have 1 scoop of powder for every cc of water. Well to give him a boost of energy for 1 of the 3 cc's of water i used electrodlyte/liquid vitamin. Well, now he is digging in his cage, and is moving a lot more. before he started to get lethargic and would barely move, but now he is digging between the rocks, more alert, and is a lot more active. He still is no where near normal, but he definatly improved after i force fed him, and gave him some electrolyte. Also, after force feeding to clean him up a little i gave him a warm bath. What else should i do? He in a 25 gallon tank with bird seed, and a warmer than usual basking spot. The cold side of the tank is 85-90 during the day so the hotter basking spot isn't making the cage an oven. What should i do, i think i got the force feeding down, and i am treating the sore with neosporon (sp). I will take him to the vet on thursday if he stops gaining weight, is still some what lethargic, or if the sore doesn't start to heal.
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Mike
1.1.3 maliensis (Spike, Marshmellow, Brown, Green, Orange)
0.2 Female U. Acanthinurus-Werneri x
0.1 Pit Bull/German Shephard/ Lab/ ect. mix (Kodak) - looks like an over grown toco bell dog.