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Help! Red Tegu emaciated

redtegubrutus Feb 17, 2007 08:56 PM

My big argentine red of about six years has become severely emaciated. He hasn't been eating for three months but continues to excrete yellow droppings (uric acid). Initially his lack of interest in food caused me to stop offering it as he continued to sleep in the corner of the tank. I thought this was due to him brumating (even though he had never experienced as dramatic a slow-down in previous years). The ambient temperature has been about 83 degrees F. After three months though he looks skinnier and his eyes have become sunken in. Is there anything I should do to increase his activity and get him eating?

Replies (2)

blueackie Feb 17, 2007 11:19 PM

Yes, you can take him to a vet. That will help him more than anyone here. That is pretty freakish though...I have never heard of a tegu doing what you explained.

safaritom Apr 05, 2007 11:22 AM

Wow man , increasing heat a bit usually gets fussy tegus to eat ... does he have plenty of fresh water ? He may be compacted ... can you force feed him some vegetable oil ? Sometimes that works for loosening up and removing compacted material...

Good Luck !
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Safari Tom
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www.SafariTom.com

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