Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my collard lizard for almost a year now. latley i have been noticing he is very skinny around the sides and tail area, he does not seem to be moving either, he keeps his front legs bent, as if he is unable to use them and does not eat much unless hand fed. Has anyone come across a similar issue with a collard, or can anyone offer any advice. I love this little guy, he is family and i will do anything to help him get well.

Hi, welcome, sorry it has to be about your guy being sick. I'm certainly no Vet, but think you need to call one, it sure sounds like Metabolic Bone Diease, a calcium defientcy problem.

Usually leave them crippled like you are saying, bent limbs.

Have you been using a calcuim suppliment and dusting his crickets? Have you been gutloading his bugs? And sorry, but one last question, do you use a UVB light on him as well as his basking light?

When they are crippled, or bent limbs and not moving also losing weight it is pretty serious, and should be seen by a Vet as soon as possible. I sure wish you the best and hope he will be taken care of and feel better soon.
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Thanks for your reply, We have been dusting his crickets every time we feed him, however we have not been using a uv light other than the day light we purchased at the pet store.Would the disease you write about also hinder him from eating which inturn is causing him to be super thin.

Yes it sure can, below is a link to a Frequently asked Question page on my site, scroll down to metabolic bone disease/calcium defiency and click the first link and read about it, see what ya think. If this sounds like what your seeing

They become anorexic, lethargic, drag themselves, so on. The article will explain.
Frequently Asked Questions/ Collared Care

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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Thank you so much, your site was very helpful. I agree with you i think it is MBD. You seem to be very knowledgeable about this type of lizard. Do you have any advice on how to help me get my lizard healthy?

i would still say go to a vet. usually they will give you this syrup calcium kinda has a lemon flavor or so i am told and usually the reptiles will take it.
natural sunlight would be best for the guy but seeing that it is winter that might be impossible. getting sunlight rays through the window won't do much for him. you need to get a really good strip UVB lamp, like one of the 10.0's. he needs to be within 12 inches of the lamp for it to be truly effective.
i remember reading once something about the day bulbs, they say they have UV in them but it's not the right UV or something like that. maybe someone with more bulb reading experience can chime in on that
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vonnie
***The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.
— Mark Russell***

I have a Repta Sun 5.0 full spectrum UVB. It's brand is "Flukers."

Good luck,
Morgan