Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. We just got a 38in. American Alligator from one of our friends that just moved. She is in a 18" X 30" enclosure (built by previous owner, too small in my opinion). Any way her water area is included with in this: it is a plastic storage thing you can get for a couple of bucks, and is only maybe 13" deep. The previous owners were feeding it only hotdogs and steak, witch he was told to do by the petstore. I have since learned that this is NOT GOOD. So here is the problem. We are currently in the process of building her new environment so she can at least move around, but the last 4 days or so she hasn't left her water except to eat. She looks pale and the top over her body is drying out. To me it looks like she is having a hard time walking, almost like it hurts, but I don't know. Anytime we try to associate ourselves with her she goes under water or if on land (rare as it is) she tries to climb the back wall. I'm really worried and I don't want her to die or get sick, I have been reading info. on the internet and what not but would really like some kind of other input. Is she scared, sick, dying, etc. What supplements can and should we give her for calcium. She is approx. 2 Years old and her diet has been horrible. Oh and last night she started to ram into the front of the cage and would then lay down on the land and smack her snout into the water, it only lasts for a min. or so but she did it about every 20 or 30 minutes, all night long. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP, any info or advise would be so wonderful.
THANKS SO MUCH
Jen

Please take it to a vet immediately, just reading your post made me extremely depressed. That poor creature sounds like it really needs help. Dont waste anytime take it to a vet now, I hope it will be ok!

Thank you so much for the advise. We are making arrangements right now to get her in somewhere (all vets offices are closed) we won't quit until someone comes in though. And Thank You for replying so quick I knew something was wrong.
Take Care
Jen

There are people here who could probably tell you exactly what is wrong with it but it seems everyone is out tonight but if it was my gator I would be taking it to the vet. But come back and update us because I'd really like to know what happens.

If this is jen in Casper. Don't lie. The cage Is 4 1/2 ft X 3 1/2 ft and she was perfectly healthy when I gave her to you. She was eating rats, mice, an occasional hotdog and yes sometimes staek, She had been to the vet every six months since we had her. I am glad you are building her a new cage. That one was to small. But If you want to make up stories I will be down to pick her up next weekend. Thanks for everything Jen.

Michael & Tasha

Jen, Call me if there is a problem, I want her back anyway, so call me.

Mike