Hi to all...
Here are the results of the survey from the 11 people who participated. I was hoping for more responses, but I do want to thank those who did. This was just done to get a little information to help all of us who love our uros to hopefully get a little insight for any future purchases we may want to make.
Type of uro:
2 Mali (u maliensis)
9 Saharan/Nigerian (u geyri)
WC or CB:
Two were represented as cb, but the owners/vets thought they were wc. So we will consider that all 11 were wc.
Where Purchased From:
1 Pet Shop
2 Reptile Shows
1 Private Breeder
1 Reptile Specialty Store
6 Importers
Condition at purchase/arrival:
1 Thin and lethargic
10 Thin to Medium, average activity (some sluggish)
Signs/Symptoms/Treatments:
One was very thin and lethargic at time of purchase (a good samaritin purchase). The other 10 started out fairly normal, but did not put on weight. Any that were checked for parasites came back clean. As time passed, appetite decreased, slept all the time and eventually quit eating. Some were taken to the vet, others home treated. Treatment consisited of hot soaks, force feeding and tube feeding. All became emaciated, dehydrated and eventually died.
Onset to Demise:
The shortest was 4-5 days with the longest being 3 months.
Personal opinion, buy cb if at all possible, or VERY long term captives from someone you can trust. I have heard stories of these large importations with the mortality rate in excess of 50%. Of course I can't prove that and nobody will talk about it. The biggest problem seems to be with the Saharan/Nigerians. I have had discussions with other reptile people and there is talk of a bloodworm called microfilariae as a potential problem. I am looking into that presently. From what I have read is seems that it may have some similarities to heartworm in dogs, but I do not know if it affects the heart. Treatment uses ivermectin which is a very stong medication, so the treatment could be as fatal as the disease. If any of this helps anyone in the future it was worth it. Thanks again for your participation.
Pam
