Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 20mo old Eastern Collard. When I got him I was told he did NOT need a UV light like my iguana. Now he is really skinny, lethargic with small spurts of activity, won't eat, can't open his eyes and I suspect MBD. I just found out he does need a UV light and have taken care of that. I am bathing him in electrolyte solution, but he is not getting better. I have a small plastic tipped syringe that I can put between his lips and he will swallow what solution I can get in his mouth. However, he won't really open his mouth or lap at water. I don't know how to force feed him or even how to open his mouth without hurting him. I would appreciate any advice on further care for him, including how to force feed. I love him a lot and would really hate to lose him.

Take it to the vet, and get UVB on your iguanna. They need it too can the same thing could happen again....

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-echo-

Thanks. We are going to the vet on Thursday, but I was stressing about him not eating or drinking in the meantime. I solved the jaw opening situation and he is lapping at electrolyte fluid for herps. He is also perking up. The iguana has had UV from day one and gets new 5.o bulbs every six months, I just didn't know my other little guy needed it too. He's got it now though!

pedyalite from drugs store are good too for reptile
give his Vitamins/calcium/VitD3 with some peach baby food if you
can't get him to eat crix when force feeding

Thanks. I don't have a calcium supplement for him yet. I am afraid to give him one with D3 since I have read it can cause a toxic reaction if he gets too much. He's getting UV, electrolytes and a small amount of chicken baby food watered down with electrolyte fluid. I think I caught him just in time, he's already perking up, although not ready for crickets yet I think. Just out of curiosity, why peach baby food?

If at all possible get him out in the sun. It really helps and is about the best thing you can do for him.

Hello, it sounds like you purchased your pet from a pet shop. If this is true then it is more than likely a wild caught specimen. If it is then it is probably loaded with internal parasites. I have been a veterinary technician for the last 17 years and if I had a penny for every time a pet store person said "oh it don't need a UVB lite!!" I would be rich right now. Once these guys get sick they can sometimes go downhill rather quickly. I would get some comercial canned diet and make like a grool (soupy) out of it, but not too watery, if it is too watery it will increase chance of him aspirating it into his lungs, get a plastic syringe and hand feed him. You can get a small plastic spatula or icing spoon to open the mouth this way you don't hurt him. Make sure he has high heat and high UVB output on him as well and keep your fingers crossed. If you have the means I would take him to a vet for some SQ fluids asap. Hope this helps.