Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tobias's tail is starting to get skinny again... Novia's hips are still sticking out...

Also, Tobias's stomach is rock hard, even if I don't feed him and he has bowel movements... He doesn't want to bask, he keeps hiding away on the colder side of the tank...
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Amanda

The rock hard stomach. I would say constipated, except ypou say he is going. May be time to call your vet again and tell him what you are seeing.

Are you still hand feeding him? You have a ne UVB right? was he ever tested for parasites when he was there?
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Eve / PHEve

No, he was not tested for parasites. Yes, I am still hand feeding him, I've even cut back a bit. He's deffinitely pooing... He did so on my bed this morning. Very gross, and a lot of it. So no constipation.

I've got the 8.0 UVB bulb... it was the highest they had, so... yeah. =/
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Amanda

maybe he is trying to hibernate, but don't let him, he is too skinny. last winter i always thought that there was something wrong with walter because i would have to wake him up to eat. now i know the poor boy was just trying to sleep.
you said that they were doing better, maybe they are moving around more and using more energy, maybe try feeding them a little more?
the vet should have tested him for parasites, make sure he tests them for protozoans too. i think i was told once that they needed some protozoans but if they have too many it will line their digestive track and cause them to starve to death, even though they eat. that is how i lost my first lizard.
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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 for the info... I was thinking hibernating too... This is so stressful, I don't know how you guys manage to keep your lizards healthy and happy.

If we ever get the money I'll ask about those tests.
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Amanda

i would not worry about the hibernating too much, just keep waking him up when you can and if it is still warm out, taking them outside. sunshine is good for humans too.
once a lizard gets sick, it takes a while for them to heal. i have had helga, my rescued uro, since may and she still is not anywhere near normal, yes she is much healthier than she was but only god knows when these toes will fall off and heal up and when all her layers of skin will come off.
call the vet and say with all the stress that you forgot that he never did a fecal, maybe he forgot he never did one too. find out from them that if the test is positive, if you have to bring them back in or if since he just saw them, he can give you medicine without another exam. that way you might only have to pay for the fecal and not another exam. if he says you have to bring them back, ask if they have a "check back" fee. at my vet the fee is $48 but if it is a reoccuring thing then it is only $24, which helps me save money since i take helga in fairly often. also just be up front with them, tell them you are a "kid" and you just want to get your lizards healthy but you don't have tons of money to spend and the economic strain of the hurricanes depleted any type of "lizard money" your parents could have lent to you.
good luck
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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 ***

Crank up the heat, make LONG days, use a GOOD UVB light. That should wake them up and stimulate an appetite. Once you get the weight back on them, THEN perhaps you should let them brumate for a while, but not very long this time due to low weight.
After a short brumation they may feel as if they've slept all winter. I've done it before and it worked fine!

good luck

Hi Amanda,

Novia and Tobias have been fighters this whole time, keep it up and I sure hope your babies start improving.

-Nicole

I was sure hoping for better news. I'm still pulling for your babies to come through this. Maybe this is just the "peaks and valleys" of their recovery.
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Valerie

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.--

God bless the USA