Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I read the forum daily but rarely post a message. I really enjoy hearing about everyone's lizards and seeing the photos. Anyhow, we have two collards. One male and one female. They did great all summer and fall and then in December we brumated them in a cool room. We got them up after about 6 weeks. We had a warm spell and the male woke up and didn't want to go back to sleep. The female wasn't so keen on wakine up. She never has eaten well since she came out of hibernation. We would see her drinking regularly so dehydration probably wasn't a big part of the problem. Her appetite has continued to decline and she is very weak and sick now. Tuesday night I got her to eat two waxies by getting her to open her mouth and poking them in. Same again Wed. morning. Wednesday night she looked even worse so I only gave her one small cricket. I also soaked her for about 10 minutes in shallow water. The male by the way is happy, healthy and eating well so I think it is not environmental. Today I took her to see a friend that is a vet but not a lizard vet. He had some antibiotics that are okay for lizards and furry pets and he weighed her and figured out how much to give her. I've read several places about others feeding baby food to sick lizards but never how much. I'm afraid to giving her too much would make her worse. Anyhow, she is hanging on ... just barely. Right now she is in a small cage on a heating pad to keep up the heat to help the anitbiotic work in case she has a respiratory infection. I realize that if she is impacted she's probably toast. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I'm going to the store now to buy baby food. I gave her some watered down mashed waxy a little while ago and almost barfed because that was way too gross. Say a little prayer for our little girl lizard. Thank you so much for your help.

Poor little girl. Sorry that the first time we talk it has to be because your girl is sick.

It could be a respiratory infection, are you noticing any watery eyes, any breathing problems?

In any case, as far as the baby food, chicken and veggies, beef and veggies is another good one, squash also.

Just try small amounts in a syringe or eye dropper see if she will go for it. Increase as ya go , slowly, as long as she can swallow okay, would not want to choke her.

Also I would get pedyilite, they sell that also in baby food isle, for children. It will keep her energy up, and keep her from becoming dehydrated.

When they are taking antibiotics, have to give them alot of liquid, they dehydrate faster when on medications.

So increase fluids.

I don't know what else to say, since you have no idea whats wrong !

I'm terribly sorry, each one of mine means alot to me, so I know what you must be feeling ! Just try your best, and I sure hope she perks up real quick !

Let us know, how she does. Take care

Eve

Hi,Very sorry to hear about your sick girl,but don't give up hope.My little male,Osiris was very sick a couple of months back.He dropped a SCARY amount of weight(it seemed like every bone was sticking out).He would just lie still all day and ate nothing,he also developed septacaemia(blood poisoning) from bruising himself coz he was so thin.I honestly expected him to die ,but my little guy is a fighter and my vet is a genius and with the necessary meds and a whole lotta love Osiris is fit and well again.I know i was lucky but Hey! You may be lucky too. Regards Dave