Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Posted here 'cause I'm running out of options.

My wife bought us a pair of frilleds last Christmas; one has maintained excellent health, appetite, activity; the other not.

I've had "her" to the vet - very expensive trip, stool cultures normal, no diagnosis, advised force feeding and isolation. I isolated her for a while, force fed her, finally gave up and put her in with her "brother". She's eating just enough to not die. Mostly meal worms/giant worms, and crickets she'll sometimes dive after when they're put in the terrarium. Sometimes.

She sheds about every two months or so (slower than her brother). What's really interesting is she's losing toenails/claws and her toes are getting a clubbed appearance.

As a physician (family medicine), this reminds me of TB (or hansen's disease, leprosy).

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

The seller (a national chain) has been no help all along, directing me to another source who has also been lacking (long story I'll spare you).

ANY and all constructive advice/help/direction you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Norm Balog
Silver Spring, MD

Although the nail problem can be a result of the lack of food intake and balance diet since she is not eating well... it can also be the root problem.....Soak the toes and feet in Nolvasan, see if you see a instant shedding around the toes that appear clubbed or the nails that have fallen out or if the area starts to turn dark brown to black in color

If it does, talk to your vet about fungal infection, not only atopic ones but also internal ones. Internal candida blooms can really ruin a lizards appetite and also cause the nail loss she is experiencing.

Do you know if she was treated prior to you getting her with any antibiotics for anything?

Candida is fairly common in lizard species, but when antibiotics are administered, they can reek havoc on the digestive yeast/bacteria balance and the yeast just go crazy. Adding probiotics like Acidolphiliz when a lizard is being treated with antibiotics has had a excellent effect on avoiding those problems to begin with or helping to correct a digestive inbalance from gut stripping.
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