Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone has had any success in regaining the health in a uro that is calcium deficient? I mistook the lethargy for brumation but upon visiting the vet found that calcium deficiency is the probable cause. I've been giving liquid calcium for a week now, but she still drags her hind legs. Also, she has not eaten anything in 3 weeks. Should I try feeding with a syringe? If so, what type of food.

thanks

If it's been 3 weeks since she's eaten I would definately get some fluids into her first. If you give a dehydrated uro that hasn't eaten in a while some food you could shock her system and even kill her. Make sure she's well hydrated.

I am currently giving Maya (Saharan Uro) liquids and some solids now. She's recovering from a nasty bout with pneumonia that almost took her life. She lost 25 grams in 3 weeks and was all shriveled up. I took her to the vet and he injected some saline, which helped a lot. Then for the next 3 days I gave her nothing but her meds (Baytril) and her liquids with just a pinch of Critical Care and Nutri Bac in it. If you don't have Critical Care get some pea or squash baby food and add a little calcium to it. Or more calcium in your situation. Dilute it down with Pedialyte until it's like a runny soup. If she'll lap up the mixture that's great! If not you'll have to force feed. Make sure when you're force feeding her that you run the feeding tube (stainless steel with a ball tip is best) along the roof of her mouth and into the back of her throat. You'll feel the tube stop in her throat, that's where her throat closes off to keep her from regurgitating. Release a small amount of the liquid and it should open up. Then gently slide the tube to about the middle of her belly - don't force it. Slowly release the fluids. I am giving my 85 gram Maya 2 cc's a day, every day.

I've consulted Doug Dix on this procedure and he does it often with the amount of uro's he has. Doug can furnish you with the feeding needle and critical care too. Just call him, his # is on his site (www.deerfernfarms.com). The best time to reach him is before 9 am, during lunch time, or after 7 pm. He's in Washington so that's PST.

I hope this helps. I think I've been rambling a bit but I can't express how much the forcefeeding has helped Maya. She has gained back about 5 or 6 of the 25 grams she lost.

By the way, I tried the other method of force feeding by putting the liquid in her mouth and trying to get her to swallow and I wasn't very successful. Doug says if you're not careful when doing this you can get liquids in the air way, which is located under their tongue.

Veronica
-----

Beautiful Dragons

Thank you so much for all of the info. I have been soaking her every other day or so, and she's taking her meds like a champ. So maybe I'll try the dilluted babyfood and see if she'll eat it on her own.
Additionally, the vet put her on Baytril as her abdomen was bulging on one side and he felt it was an abcess and that there may be in an infection. That doesn't seem to be improving, and as a matter of fact, her entire abdomen seems very bloated now, especially for an animal who hasn't eaten in so long. I'm supposed to check back in with the vet tomorrow. I think we need to look a little further to see what's causing this.
thanks again for the help.

I don't know what could cause that, but I think you're right and should get her back to the vet right away. Is your vet a reptiles specialist? Could it be an enlarged organ like the kidney? Be careful, antibiotics like Baytril can be harsh on the kidneys. He might have to take an X-ray to find out.

I got the following info from Melissa Kaplan's site ...

"When kidney failure occurs, its external signs--what you see--happens suddenly and the animal usually dies soon thereafter. Signs include anorexia, weight loss despite eating, lethargy, swollen or distended abdomen, frequent drinking or voiding, grossly swollen neck. Upon x-rays, kidneys, not normally visible due to their position in the pelvic area, may be seen protruding up into the coelomic cavity; they may also be felt."

The entire article is at:
http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/kidneyfailure.html

I know it's about iguana, but most of the info on her site pertains to most reptiles. I'd get her checked out asap! I don't mean to alarm you, but a swollen abdomen is nothing to mess with. And keep her hydrated. Soaking won't always be good enough unless she's drinking the water. And try the baby food.

Good luck and please keep us posted on her situation.

Veronica
-----

Beautiful Dragons

Are you the person that lives in Salem? I know there are a couple folks on this forum that do... I live in Salem also. What vet do you see? I took my uro to a friend's clinic in Dallas. There is one Dr there who does treat reptiles, although he hasn't treated a uro before.
I will definitely read the article you referenced. Many of the symptoms seem on track with what's happening. The vet mentioned that we would need to xray and/or do bloodwork if she didn't respond to the current treatment.
Also, a little more info on her bloatedness. When she's totally relaxed and in her enclosure, she looks pretty normal. But when we handle her (which she practically begs for) she gets all puffed up. She's always done that, but not to this degree. And when we put any pressure on her sides, it feels watery in there.
Anyway, thanks again for all the info. I'll keep you posted.

I take my reptiles to Dr. Mills at Companion Pet Clinic. He knows his reptiles and if he doesn't know about something he will get a book out and figure it out. You might want to print out that article from Melissa Kaplan and take it to your vet. Dr. Mills is very reasonable. He's located on Lancaster and it's only $20 for a vet visit.

Once in a while my uro's will "puff up" too. They have this ability to suck in air and make themselves look larger than they really are when they are frightened. But if you uro isn't just sucking in air, then I would be worried.

Veronica
-----

Beautiful Dragons