Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, we recently aquired a new Mali from an ad in the local paper. His conditions were deplorable, fed only on crickets and meal worms, living on crushed walnut shells, etc. He was extremely thin, almost "pancake" like. He at first ate somewhat well, a few peas, yellow squash and mustard greens with bird seed and lentils, and over the last few weeks has actually lost more weight. A trip to the vet proved from a stool sample that he`s free of worms, and the vet could give no other advice except to keep lots of water in his tank (yes, supposedly a reptile vet) I gave him some Parazap today and he actually seemed to like it and I beleive I need to force feed him before I loose him, but don`t have the slightest idea of how to do so. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, he`s so thin now im truly worried. The 55 gal tank varies from 120 degrees basking spot to 95 degrees, he`s on carpet, and isn`t impacted. Thanks in advance!

Do you have a syringe (without the needle)? You can bring baby food peas to room temperature and feed him through the syringe. You might even want to add a little Pedialyte to the peas before feeding. Hope this helps.

Contact them they were very helpfull with us and our Uro
mailto:douglasdix@deerfernfarms.com

n/t
douglasdix@deerfernfarms.com

Thank you both, yes, I have tried the syringe, that`s how I got him to take some appetite stimulant, which he readily took a bit of, but the food he`d have nothing to do with. How do you get them to open their mouths when they refuse, I tried forcing him but really felt i`d hurt him badly if I kept it up. I`ll contact the link you provided and see if there`s any other thing that I may do. Again, thank you both so much!

i remember a couple weeks ago someone said something about trying to open their uros mouth with a toothbrush and i wish i could remember the details of what was said! i have never figured out how to open helga's mouth and have just always put a bit of medicine or baby food on her lips and waited for her to get curious and open up. that could take awhile though, they can be very stubborn. i would definitely look into another vet and see what they say about your baby. good luck and keep us updated
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

Well I got a full grown male Mali in about the same condition except that he did have worms. My vet told me to force feed him Cridical Care (I got that from the vet) and soak him 2 times a day for 30 min. I did this and he bounced back. The cridical care comes ina powder form and I mixed it with warm ater and baby food. Buddy (my mali) was so weak that he only opened his mouth a crack. I did get food in him and water. When he was feeling a little better he refused it and I started to feed him his greens chopped REALLY small and still tried force feeding. This will take time but if all goes well he should start to come back. Here is a picture of Buddy when I got him and now. Please note that the first picture his stomach is very thin and then the last picture he has a thicker stomach. He is still gaining weight slowly but he is very active and healthy now. Good luck and keep us posted with his recovery.
Debs

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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

wow it still floors me to see that first picture. he looks so incredibly depressed in that photo and so much happier in the last one.
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

Yes he does look very sad. He was so weak that I could put him dowm in the grass and pull weeds, water plants and do about anything and he would still be in the same spot I put him in. Now I can't leave him for a second because he is off and running around.
I will take another picture of him soon. His belly is round but everytime I take a picture he moves and you can't see the fat belly. I'm just waiting for the fat to go to the tail and hips.
Oh he LOVES the soy beans... Thank you for the suggestion.
Debs
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

Thank you TS sparks for the correct email, I was worried after it came back undeliverable. Debs, that is awesome! I can only pray that I have the luck, or talent that you do. I tried to force some baby food (peas) down him and doubt that I even got any in, he just won`t open his mouth at all and you must know how hard it is to force one open. I`ll keep trying and do all I can, im just in tears over him, he didn`t ask to be treated as he was. Thanks all again, and i`ll definately keep you updated on his progress.

Try to offer him some water from a syringe (Buddy opened his mouth VERY little)and then quickly fill up the syringe with food and slowly squirt it into the mouth (unless he opens it the squirt fast). Good luck. I'll be thinking of you and hoping everything goes well.
Debs
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

We had to use a 2.5" feeding needle on our's to give him flalgyl.This was to make sure that it went into his stomach and he didnt spit it back up.Using that was no fun but after 6 times you get the hang of it.We got it in him by first making sure he was good and warm and awake.If there cold youll have a harder time.Make sure the contents are warm holding it in your hand a little while should do it.You have to make sure you have a good tight grip so it cant squirm around somebody holding it's tail and back legs keeps it from crawling backwards.If they squirm around when the tube is in that can be very bad.This could do more damage than if you held it to tight.You have to come at the mouth from the side not straight on.If you rub and press it will slowly open it's mouth a little.When it does turn the tube in and over the tongue.As it goes down it's throat slowly spin the tube.It will go about halfway down then it might stop release a LITTLE of the contents then it's throat should open and you can insert it the rest of the way.Dont take to long in giving it whats in the tube and dont give it to much.If your not comfortable doing this then take it to a vet!It's not as hard as it sounds but you have to be careful.

Hi all, Today he actuall tried to eat a bit (on his own), but shortly after regurgitated it all, ahhhhh, at least it was an attempt, I hope he`ll try it again. I did take hin to a vet, about all he could do was a fecal test for worms, even though the ad said exotics, well he wasn`t, but I have an appointment tomorrow with a another who was recommended about two hours away, lets hope that something can be done to save him. Thanks again!!

Good luck at the vet. We will all be thinking about you and your uro. Let us know what happens.
Debs
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

We went to the vet yesterday, the new one and he seemed quite good and knowledgeable, anyway he said that after so long of bad food, incorrect food, no sun, that he was just to far gone and recommended putting him down. After consideration I brought him home, with his daily soakings, force feedings, etc. he seems to actually be showing a will to live, after catching him eating a bit on his own the other day he has done more since (even though it all comes back up). He isn`t in pain so I have to give him a chance but if he gets to a point....well then I will have him humanely put down. Thanks for all your support and i`ll surely let you know how this turns out.

i am so sorry to hear about your uro. it is always so frustrating when people mistreat animals. i know you said you got him from an ad, have you told the people what they did to him? or did you get him from a rescue place? it is always so hard to put them down, especially when they show signs of wanting to live. you know him best and know what to do. if it does boil down to putting him to sleep, take pleasure in knowing that he was loved most by you and his best moments were with you.
do you live in an area that is still warm? like could he have access to natural unfiltered sunlight? i hear sunshine in moderation is a good medicine. please keep us updated and do know my heart goes out to you and your scaly friend
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

I am so sorry to hear that. Have you contacted Doug of Deer Fern Farms, or Lindsay Pike of Urotopia? I don't know if they would know of any tips in a situation like this...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the little guy.

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

I really hope the little guy pulls through! Malis are tough little boogers, too, so with the meticulous care you're giving him and the spunk he's showing, he's got a shot! I'm glad you're giving him the chance!

Best of luck to the both of you - keep us posted! We're thinking of you!
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and new neighbor Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

So sorry to hear that. I am happy that you are still trying as long as he is not in pain.
Debs
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

I think that was with Triad's sick Uro... I believe Doug is the one who sent that tip but I don't remember.... it did have to do with Triad's sick Uro though, I am pretty sure...

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

Here's how the toothbrush trick is supposed to work:

Not any toothbrush will do, as it's not the brush part that you use. Find one with the little rubber pick on the handle. Use the little rubber tip and wiggle it between the lips right at the front of the mouth. This is supposed to trigger a biting reflex. When they open up, stick the rubber tip in, then stick the syringe or feeding needle in at the side. Be careful to get the food/fluids over the tongue into the back of the throat, as their air passage is at the front of the mouth, below the tongue.

Couple things - this never worked for me. I just use a needleless syringe and wiggle between the lips on the side. Both uros I've medicated have done ok with this, though it can be time consuming. Wrap the little guy in a towel while you work so he can't struggle so much.

Also, ask the vet if they can inject fluids and vitamins subcutaneously. That's what helped Joe turn the corner.

Best of luck!! Good for you for finding a new vet! Makes me mad when folks with that kind of education can't admit when they don't know something. Causes way more harm than good.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and new neighbor Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

"their air passage is at the front of the mouth, below the tongue"

I believe that the glottis is actually located at the base of the tongue towards the back of the mouth. Care has to be taken to pass the feeding instrument past the glottis. A common critical error in tube feeding is accidentally directing the feeding instrument into the glottis rather than past it.

yeah I was told to do the toothbrush trick.

It didn't work though. I was holding Orion and my mom took the toothbrush to him, all it did was make him lick the toothbrush.

I'd suggest putting the medicine in food.
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2 mali uro's-Ares and Apollo
2 saharan uro's-Orion and Iris
2 bearded dragon-Hades and Draco
1 leo gecko-Kalypso
1 tokaye gecko-Sid Vicious
1 tarantula-Peter Parker
1 dog-cheeka
1 zebra finch-beeps
1 african gray parrot-keya
1 red headed parrot-pancho
And some fish