Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About a month ago, My mali escaped in the house, and was missing for about a week. We found him one evening on his way into the bathroom. I have no idea where he was hiding.

The problem is this. Ever since he has been back in his tank, he seems to want to sleep all the time, and won't eat, which I thought might be ok, maybe he is brumating, but now he is horribly thin, and weak. I think he is almost too weak to eat! What can I do to spur his appetite? Can I force feed him anything?

(a little bit of history... I got him at a reptile show about 3 months ago, and he has never been a great eater, I know he was wild caught, and I don't really know how old he is.)

Please advise...

i would definitely get him to a vet immediately. i had a similar situation with my red saharan. i thought he just didn't feel like eating. he was very thin and dehydrated! he spent the weekend at the vet with injections of fluids and antibiotics. the outcome was very bad. he didn't make it. i would go to the vet to have him checked out. maybe it won't be something serious but at least you will know! good luck-let us know how it turns out. laura p.s. be sure to tell the vet he was loose(he may have possibly ingested something). hope alls well!

I would bring a fecal sample (if you an get one, try warm water soaks). WC animlas are notoriously riddled with parasites. Also the stress of being lost could have spurred normally commensal parasites to become a problem.
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Stacey