Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 savs: 1 wc, a little over 2 feet long around 8 months old and the other is cb, 2 feet long around 8-9months old. A month ago, the cb escaped was missing for 5 days. I eventually found him and he appeared to be in good health(he still had his appettite & was still very active). Over the weekend I noticed some bruising on his 'lips'. It appeared that he busted his 'lips' while attempting to escape again. He hasn't been eating but is still very active. I'm not sure if he's not eating because of his bruises or if its something else and starting to worry. This is the 1st time I've experienced this probllem since I've had them (about 7 -8 months now). I spoke w/the pet store a got him from and they told me to put some antibacteria med (IE neosporin, etc) on the cuts to prevent infection. My wc sav is fine(I always seperate them at feeding time) and the enclosure conditions are fine. Has anyone else experienced this before/any advice on how to get his appetite back to normal?

Thanx in advance.....

At this point, both monitors should be separated (separate cages). Monitors should be in separate cages, except for breeding purposes.

It is impossible to diagnose the problem, so your best option is to take the busted-lip-non-eater to a qualified reptile vet. The infection could be more systemic than what you are observing.

Goodluck.

lizardman offers good advice. Without seeing the injury to the mouth we cannot offer an opinion if this is mild or bad enough to warrant a vet visit. I'd like to see people error on the side of caution.

In addition to the actual wound, your savanna monitor has tasted freedom and he likes it. There is something missing from your enclosure. I'll go out on a limb here and say it's space. You have two 2 foot monitor lizards in one enclosure. Monitors are big lizards, but they are even bigger in attitude and habits. They need lots of space and the average enclosure will not provide this. I should also define "space" as "usable space". Your monitor needs enough cage furniture to break up the site lines, offer places to prowl for imaginary food, places to hide and feel secure, places to bask out in the open, places to climb and places to dig. All this needs to be available without over cramping the place.

I havn't even gone into the stress of having another monitor in the cage, but while they generally fair better in solitude, they can be kept communally if the enclosure leaves nothing to desire.

Let me know if my advice is off track and I'll try to help you further

Ian

Thanx for the advice lizardman & joeysgreen.There was actually some progress made last night: he ate. I also noticed that the 'wound' is healing but I'm still taking him to vet tomorrow just to be on the safe side. So hopefully things will get back to 'normal' soon. I'm also in the process of building them a new enclosure and hopefully this eliminate the problem of attempted escapes .