Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I usually just browse around this forum...laugh at this or that...post a picture here and there. I usually have my own answers for my monitor problems but this one has me stumped, but maybe it has happend to you guys/girls. My big male blackthroat has not eaten is 7 days. The vet was unable to determine anything wrong. The temps have not changed since the 2 and a half years I have had him. This is the first time he has done this. He is currently in shed...but usually when he is in shed he will still eat (although a little less) Another thing is that he has been completely inactive. Just give me a little input. Going back to the vet this weekend...but I thought I would come to you guys/girls for some added help. Thanks in advance

Youre gonna have to get some bloodwork done first of all, to know whats going on. With those symptoms, its really impossible to know without getting blood samples. Just wait till the vet can have the tests run, and go from there.

Good luck! Ill keep my fingers crossed for you

Best Regards,
Michelle

One problem it could be is a bacteria found in the cerebral fluid. This has been noted in Blackthroats alot this year. How are his motor skills? any drainage or real slobbery drool from the mouth?

Other things could be if your he is a she and is egg bound. Could be a parasite ate something not agreeing with him. etc. etc.

Best bet would be to have a good Herp vet do a real thorough checkup on him.

Is that bacterial, or virial? What grouping of animals has it been found in? ie; fresh imports, longterm captives, cb? Is it a widespread epidimic, or localized?

Just wondering

Best Regards,

Michelle

the vets here have been calling it a bacteria. It has been found so far in savanna's and blackthroat/whitethroat monitors not sure of any others. It has occured all over from the notes my vet has on it from various other vets. I only had 2 of my babies have it both parished it starts out like a lazy lizard not wanting to eat. Then the neck typically turns to the left and they lose motor skills. After that it is all down hill. The two youngsters were purchased through a friend and some of his came down with this as well. The only thing we found all of them had was the bacteria in the cerebral fluid. Other then that the rest of the animal looked in top condition. Doesn't have to be wild caught or a fresh import, or long term captive. Some of these animals were fresh, some LTC 3 years plus.

I wish I knew more about it or what happened to cause this but I do not and niether does my vet. He asked me for more blood samples well I only had the two animals he worked on so out of luck there. I did help with the necropsy and saw the bacteria under the microscope. Samples were also sent in to a lab.