Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My collared is either sick or trying to hibernate. She's about 4 years old and has never hibernated before. She stopped eating about 2 weeks ago. I have given her water throug a dropper, usually with that reptile electrolite stuff in it. I saw her eat a cricket about a week ago.

She has been hiding in a corner of her cage away from the heat lights. She's generally lethargic. A couple of days ago, I couldn't find her, and since I have had a collared get out before, I sifted through the cage and found her under her house. I felt bad, but I couldn't replace her house without hurting her, so I moved her into the corner of her cage again.

Since then, I she has moved a tiny bit, really not much. She's kind of wrinkly and dry looking. Should I try to force feed her or give her water or just let her be? my other collared isn't acting like that at all.

The guy at the reptile store near me said to let her hibernate, but I'm really worried.

Any help would be so nice. Thanks! Please give me ideas on how I can help her.

If she does need water, putting them in a dish of water helps. When my lizards came out of hibernation they hadn't come out to drink for a while, so I put them in a dish and they drank.

Good luck,
Morgan

Unless you have turned off the heat and the lights, I doubt very seriously that your lizard is hibernating. It sounds to me like she is very sick. It is most likely either a parasitic or a bacterial infection, as those are the most common reasons for the symptoms you describe. In either case it can, and left untreated, probably will be fatal. I would take her to a vet immediately. If you can't get her to a vet in the morning, then start giving her water and food by hand so her condition doesn't deteriorate any faster. If you need any info. on how to do this, just email me.

Good luck,

élan
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3.6.0 Collareds
1.2.0 Leopard Lizards
1.0.0 Mali Uromastix
1.2.0 Green Anole
1.0.0 Chinese Dwarf Newt
1.0.0 White's Treefrog
1.0.0 Fire bellied toad
2.1.0 Felines
1.3.0 Canines
1.0.0 Equine

I gave Squirt a dropper full of water mixed with reptile electrolite stuff. She lapped it up like she was very thirsty. I think I will try to give her some liquified food here in a minute. thanks for the advice; any further advice would be very appreciated!

That's exactly what she needs right now--good.

Is there a vet you can take her to tomorrow?

élan
-----
3.6.0 Collareds
1.2.0 Leopard Lizards
1.0.0 Mali Uromastix
1.2.0 Green Anole
1.0.0 Chinese Dwarf Newt
1.0.0 White's Treefrog
1.0.0 Fire bellied toad
2.1.0 Felines
1.3.0 Canines
1.0.0 Equine

Probably not a vet, there's only one in my area, but I think I'll take her to the local reptile experts at a store nearby. they're very good.

But on another good note, Squirt ate a cricket tonight. Yay!

That's excellent news that Squirt ate!

Tomorrow, be sure to have them do a fecal exam on her; if they can't, I'd go ahead and treat her for parasites anyway--it won't hurt her if given the correct dosages. Panacur and Flagyl are standard treatment that I give all my new (wild caught) lizards. Also, Keep feeding and hydrating her by hand until she looks like she's back on track.

élan
-----
3.6.0 Collareds
1.2.0 Leopard Lizards
1.0.0 Mali Uromastix
1.2.0 Green Anole
1.0.0 Chinese Dwarf Newt
1.0.0 White's Treefrog
1.0.0 Fire bellied toad
2.1.0 Felines
1.3.0 Canines
1.0.0 Equine

That's what I intend to do. I'll give an update on her condition as soon as I get home to see her.