Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After losing 2 baby savs to upper resp. infection. I decieded to do some more homework prior to trying again. I thought my temps were right on the money (80-90f ambient, 130f in the bask). The first died within days, the second in about 1.5 weeks. So, I figure the first already had a upper resp. infection. The second was fairly alert at first and a few days later was lethargic and didn't have much interest in food. A few days later no food and went from there. I can't say for sure that I was the cause of the second savs death or part of the problem. Temps may have dropped to 65f because someone decided to turn the heat off . I did get both monitors from the same place, don't know if that is also part of the problem. Etiher way I lost 2 monitors and feel horrible. My argus (who was house in the same room) is still very healthy, strong, and still growing!!

Before I try again:
I will definitly find something other than a glass tank and screen top for an enclosure (I knew beeter than use this setup, so that was stupid on my part).
Buy a monitor that has a healty response to the big human reaching in to grab it.
Read Dan Bennett's Savannah Monitor book that I just got today.

I just thought I would share my short experience with savs. Hopefully my next one will be longer.

hbailey
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hbailey

0.1 argus monitor

I have lost 2 savs myself over the years. One was a tempted rescue that was in horrible condition and beyond saving. The other was a young juvie that escaped, hid in the laundry and was stepped on.
You take a risk when buying a newly imported animal.
Now about aquariums. I keep babies in either a rubbermaid tub or a 40 gallon breder with a screen top. The tops are covered with plexiglass and/or tinfoil except where the light sits.
I have never lost one to a respratory infection. I wouldn't even know what causes that.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Low temps. It's sorta like the general cold for a monitor. When I first got Critter, he had one from not being heated properly so I took him to the vet and he was fine after being treated for it and having the right setup.
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Well, when I got my first monitor, I had no idea what it was, much less how to care for the beast. I am lucky, my vet clued me in on everything I needed to know at the moment and even came over and told me what to do to improve the cage.
He wasn't my vet at the time, the vet I use for my furry friends sent me to him.
The dude's a little flaky but he knows his reptiles.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Temp. getting a little too low. I think they both may have come from the store with a slight case. Couple that with a glass tank (which I've found doesn't hold heat well), and a screen (bad for humitity). You get a recipe for failure . Little guys go downhill pretty fast. Like I said, when I bought them they weren't to resistant to being picked up, and I mistakenly thought they had a decent temperment. Just learned a few valuable lessons, too bad I had to see 2 savs die to learn it.

hbailey
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hbailey

0.1 argus monitor