Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Don't get me wrong, I love Tobias and Novia very very much. But just, argh. They're driving me insane.

They eat fine. They still won't gain weight. I started parazap again... I know I probably shouldn't have but GOD. I don't want them to freaking die. Novia gained a little weight, but it's mostly her puffing up with air. All of a sudden she isn't tame anymore, and she opens her mouth at me everytime I pass. I'm almost afraid to hold her now.

Tobias is just... *SIGHS!* He was healthy. Now he's not. I can't take them to a vet. My family is currently in a big feud... So I can't exactly ask either parent to spend some money on the lizards. We're still treating Kiora, my hamster, which is enough money right there...

I was thinking of giving them a new home... But I can't give them up.

Sorry to ramble and rant.
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-Amanda

I called the vet about Kiora. He may need to see her again and will call me back on Monday. My dad says we have the money for the 24$ vet visit and any meds. The meds for ANY animal are real cheap at this vet. Anyway, my point...

They charge 24$ for a visit, but they allow as many animals as you want to come in and get checked up. When he calls on Monday, I'll ask how much an exam on two lizards will cost, how much a stool exam will cost, and how much any meds will cost. I may be able to take them... I'll just have to convince a parent!

Pleaaassse wish me luck guys, I really need some kind of miracle to be able to take all three to the vet! (Maybe I need to go babysit some more! *snicker*)
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-Amanda

i hope that works out for ya! perhaps they can check the poo on just one of them because if one has parasites in a cage, the other does too (that is what my vet told me so she gave me meds for ivan and kaiser, although only kaiser had a fecal done). also if you know what day they are going in, try to collect a fresh stool sample from one or both (just the brown part and as little sand as possible) because my vet charges if they have to probe the lizard to get a poop sample from within the lizard.
just some thoughts on how to save money. perhaps one of the more experienced will have some other advice.
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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 ***

Thanks a ton, vonnie. I'll deffinitely make sure to get a fresh sample. I'm very good at it. Creepy, huh?
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Amanda
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ok well, let's go back to the basics. are their basking temps high enough, like 105ish? do they have access to UVB? do they have a place to hide and feel safe, like some sort of cave? do they have a cooler side (85-90) of the tank so they can thermoregulate properly? if they are in a glass enclosure, do you have the sides and back blocked off? all that exposure could be stressing them out. are they in a high traffic area?
how much are you feeding them? and are you putting calcium and a vitamin on their food and how often? how long did you do the parazap the first time? it says on the internet that infected lizards should be treated for 14 days and preventative treatment should be 5-10.
it can take a while to fatten up a skinny lizard. also don't let novia scare you. lizards have mood swings too. don't stress her out with handling, but don't let her be the boss also. kaiser always opens his mouth at me, but i still pick him up and give him kisses. also, helga is a uromastyx but she had worms earlier this year. when she had worms, she was so nice and loving, i thought, but she probably just felt like crap and did not want to move because one we got rid of them, she turned into a cranky lizard and i had to start all the way over with the trust issue. so maybe novia is cranky because she is feeling a little better. that story is by no mean scientific, but maybe something to think about
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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 ***

"are their basking temps high enough, like 105ish? do they have access to UVB? do they have a place to hide and feel safe, like some sort of cave? do they have a cooler side (85-90) of the tank so they can thermoregulate properly? if they are in a glass enclosure, do you have the sides and back blocked off?"
Yep.

"are they in a high traffic area?"
Nope.

"how much are you feeding them?"
Six crickets every other day.

"and are you putting calcium and a vitamin on their food and how often?"
Yes, a little bit every feeding. They don't seem to like the crickets without the calcium.

"how long did you do the parazap the first time? it says on the internet that infected lizards should be treated for 14 days and preventative treatment should be 5-10."
That's exactly what I did.

As for the crankiness... Yes. Tobias did the same thing, when I didn't have the proper lighting for him and then did. He got "untamed".
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Amanda
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hmm...it seems like you are taking really good care of them, what a good mommy! is 6 crickets all that they will eat? my girls may be gluttonous but they eat 8-12 crickets per feeding which is almost daily. the boys were eating that much too but have slacked off since it is becoming closer to winter (if you can say there is winter in san diego)
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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, they each will eat 2... three if I'm lucky. =/
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Amanda
Contact me