Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone... I really need some help! About a month ago my boyfriend and I bought two female green anoles. They both live in the same 10 gallon aquarium, have proper lighting and are fed mealworms and crickets with calcium suppliment daily. One of the anoles is healthy as can be. However, the other one is obviously dying. She's dark brown and her stomach is starting to sink in from not eating. She just sits at the bottom of the aquarium, hardly moving. I've tried everything I could think of. I've seperated her from the other anole, I've put her in a smaller container with just worms and she doesn't even try to eat. What could I do to help her become unstressed and eating again?? I really don't want her to die. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and soon... she's dying!! THANKS** Shannon

Try gerber baby food. Some anoles go wild for it. And also try looking at the kingsnake green and brown anole care page. they have info. on sick and dying anoles.

What about some water first .. she sounds dehydrated. Try offer her some water with a dripper, if she dont drink take the side of your finger and pull the side of her bottom lip down softly (no nails please) and drop a drop of water on her mouth where it is slightly cracked...if she drinks then see to her needs of water then offer her a small bit to eat if she does not willinly eat it. try using your thumb and first finger to drag down each side of her mouth to the tip of her nose lightly she should open her mouth and just slightly put it in her mouth.. nothing big. I hope that helps.

There may be nothing you can do without a vet trip. They are all wild-caught, and thus harbor parasites, which can build to lethal levels in captivity. The anole probably has a parasite problem which is resulting in its lack of appetite, and killing it.

You should clean and sterilize the cage, and have your anoles checked for parasites by a vet. A bit of an expense, but I'll bet their cage and heating and lighting equipment wasn't that cheap either. They can live for 6 years with proper care.

I had no idea that they were wild caught, my male green is doing fine and I've had him for 1 1/2 years and when I bought him he was already pretty old. Anyways can they spread parasites or what not to animals not in the cage or not in contact with that herp?
-----
1.2 Hypo Tang Leos, 1.0 Blizzard Leo, 0.1 het Blizzard Leo, 2.0 Tremper Albino Leos, 1.0 Knight Anole, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx, 0.1 Green Iguana, 1.1 Ball Pythons, 1.0 Green Anole, and a Common Snapping Turt.
www.geocities.com/multiplemorphherpetoculture

Yes, they absolutely can...because they are arboreal, it can sometimes take more time for parasites to build to dangerous levels (less contact with feces), but it eventually happens. Some few wholesalers "shotgun" worm their anoles as well...this isn't usually enough to completely clear them of parasites. It's safer to assume that any green anole is wild caught unless it specifically says otherwise. CB green anoles are uncommon...they are so inexpensive, few people breed them.

Testing one of the animals in the cage for parasites should reveal whether the group has a problem. If the anoles are the primary concern, test one of them first. Treatment is relatively simply, a couple of doses of panacur or flagyl, and complete cage sterilization between doses.
If one animal in the cage has parasites, all the others will need to be treated, generally speaking. You may find a vet willing to give you enough take-home medication to treat the group after examining one animal, a few people have mentioned their vets were willing to do this.
Green anoles can live for up to 6 years, so yours is most likely still pretty young.

About your anole... I used to keep them as well and I had one get sick, with the same kind of problem. If at all possible. put some gatorade in a small syringe and put a drop on its nose. If it doesnt lick it off you can use your fingers and pinch his jaw open at the sides (gently). Also, get some veggie baby food and mix it with a vitamin supplement and water and use that in the syringe too. Good luck, hope your anole survives.
PS. if you have a good reptile vet in your area they will be able to help you out with tips and hopefully diagnose it with parasites and treat it.