Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone,

I have an 8 month old, 26" long Savannah Monitor that has a RI. I've had two other Savs. that were over four and a half feet
and lived to be 12 years old. They never once even had to go to a vet they were in perfect health from the day I bought both of them. So i'm new to this type of illness and I need some help concerning the RI. He was taken to the vet and they put him on
Baytril(enrofloxacin) 2.27% 1.2ML(12/17/05) orally everyday for 5 days and every other day for 10 more doses after that.
What i'm concerned about is that he seems to be getting worse. By that I mean fluids drain from his mouth when
he lowers his head along with the nostrils and it seems to be crusting around the nostril area. He will eat
absolutely anything you put infront of him and has pretty much stopped coughing aswell as raising his head as much so i'm
really confused. Oh and cage temps are 90-92 day time and 80 night time with 25-30% humididty with a heat rock near
hot side of cage, Are all of these OK or should they be changed? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot, Myke.

If the symptoms are getting progressively worse, inform your vet.

Get rid of the "hot rock"--which are known to likely cause thermal burns. Your temperatures seem low. Try to get the ambient temp during the day around 95-100F. Basking spot 120-140F. Let the cage cool down at night to about 85F. These temps will help boost the monitors own immune system.Provide clean drinking water at all times.

Goodluck.

I agree, double check in the monitor forum, but lizardman's temp advice seems right on. I'd still allow a cool side of low to mid 80's however.

If symptoms are getting worse... inform your vet as discussed. The fact that he's eating well, is a good sign; hospitalization will likely not be needed. Further diagnostics might be however, to make sure that the antibiotic is the correct one to be on; and the extent of the condition. Pneumonia often gets worse before it gets better and you may have a rocky road ahead of you.

GOod luck

Ian