Reptile & Amphibian Forums

He's moving around a bit more now, I thought he was a goner a few days ago. It's been a really long haul. Mouth rot really had him down. So I've been force feeding some baby food and pedelyte, which seems to be giving him more energy. I just wish he'd start eating on his own! Can I put a mealie or two in his mouth? Seems like it'd be nice to get some 'real' lizard food in him! Also, how do others force lizards mouths open? I'd like to hear if theres any easier ways. It really takes two of us, and seems mean.
Thanks for all the help!
Kim

PS: how much water and baby food a day do you think would be good?

I'm happy ya hung in there to tell you the truth.
I dont use mealies they are harder to digest, I use superworms.

When ever I have to force fed a sick lizard I only use the very soft white ones(freshly molted) easier for them to chew.

If hes doing well stick to the soft food you are using , gives his mouth more time to heal. If you want to stuff something, a cricket I beleive has much more protein than a mealie anyway.

As far as opening the mouth, when you get used to it , you should be able to hold him cupped in hand, his back against your palm area. take your thumb and first finger and gently press against the hindged part of mouth or jaw, while the other hand is putting the bug in.

I may not have explained it that well, as I have done it so often I dont even think about it anymore, let alone try and type it,

I just had to do it beginning of the week with a tiny hatchling to get him going, that was tricky, LOL not much to hold on to, but basically was the same thing, and was easy after the first time.

I say hang in there, he's trying, so let him, take it day by day.
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Eve

The acidity could realy agrivate the condition.
You might make your own "baby food" get some squash baby food or peas (something with a MUCH lower PH and smush some insects into it!
Good luck !

Yuck! Well, I guess I'd do it if it would make him better, poor baby! Anyway, its chicken. Actually it says Chicken with Chicken gravey. I tried the Chicken with veggies, he tried to spit that out. True carnivore! The vet said I should be giving him something that they sell there, that the baby food doesn't have the right nutrients in it. What do you all think? I can't make it over there until next week anyway.
Thanks for all the help, I don't think I could make it through without all the input!
Kim

but alot of people use the baby food. i just used it earlier this week because i wanted to give extra calcium to a new lizard. collared lizards are funny in that if you block their noseholes, they will open their mouths. i just put a little food in his opened mouth and then he voluntarily reopened it. if you think that he likes the food you can also just pull his lip down and stick a little in the crack of his mouth and usually they will open their mouths for you (or keep licking his lips where the food is). just things that i have noticed with my lizards. are you using a needleless syringe?
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

Yep, I have several of the needleless syringes from the vet to give him is antibiotics. I'll try the nose trick, it'd be great if that works! Any suggestions on how much baby food a day?
Thanks!