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Need Help immediately!!!!!!!!!!!

Rtegu Nov 02, 2004 06:01 PM

I own a 3 year old argentine Red tegu and a few months ago he developed a an oral infection which could be seen as an extension of his lower jaw. I immediately went to the vet and he was put on an antibiotic, baytril. He seemed to get better after 2 weeks and so i discontinued the medication. However, he started showing signs of upper respiratory infection as I could hear the excess mucous when he ate. Again he was put on baytril, it has been 3 weeks and he seems better but the extension of his lower jaw is still inflamed and obviously irritating him (he rubs it after he eats. I need advice on how to treat this.

Also, since he has had this infection he has encountered severe shedding problems. Despite my constant efforts of oil lubrication, shed ease, and higher humidity, he still has cracked skin. His skin is starting to split, what can I do? Of course I can try more fruit but what can remove this stuck skin ?

Replies (4)

dragonfruit_85 Nov 02, 2004 07:55 PM

Always Always Always continue to give antibiotics until they are gone, not until symptoms are gone, until the medicine itself is gone. That is probably why he developed another infection. You need to take him back to the vet, or at least call. I dont know if Baytril is used for URI's or not but you should not give him the Baytril for his other infection until the vet okays it.
-Beth

dragonfruit_85 Nov 02, 2004 08:00 PM

Sorry I didnt see the rest of your message. To get rid of dry skin you can mist him more often, to keep the humidity up, and give warm water baths to help ease the skin off. Or you can buy Shed-Ease to help. As for the extension of the jaw, my tegu got something similar to that but it was due to MBD, if the damage is permanent there is nothing you can do for it. You could get an Elizabethan Collar from your vet to try out, or make your own. If you dont know what that is, its a plastic cone-type of collar that goes around your pet's neck to prevent him from biting at a surgery site, or from using his paws/feet/whatever to scratch at his face. Here is a pic of my tegu's jaw as a result of MBD so you can compare.
-Beth

kofseattle Nov 02, 2004 08:06 PM

You might try a good warm soak daily or every other day until his skin is well hydrated and the shedding problam subsides. This along with a clean, well heated cage and a proper diet should aid in shedding. The diet is the most important part especially for reds. Also providing a good clean hide box that has the proper humidity should help. I only stress clean due to the other infections you spoke of.

By no means is anything you read on this forum a sustitute for good veterinary care. Please seek the opinion of a QUALIFIED herp vet. If you can't find one locally to visit at least find one on the phone to consult.Best of luck!
-----
Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........

tobassmaster Nov 02, 2004 10:01 PM

He needs more vitaman C in is diet. Lots of fresh fruit will help his skin problems. Gut feed everything you feed him with a high vitamin diet
Stephen

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