Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I rescued a blue tongue (I think Indonesian) and he has really progressed MBD. I have him set up in a 20L with a water dish, 2 hides, food dish, heat lamp, and a heat pad on the way. He doesn't really seem to be moving around a lot. He moves just fine (despite his humped back) but does not seem to be moving around the cage at all. I am sure he is settling in but I want to be sure he is eating and drinking. He has not touched any of the food we have given him but I am sure he is scared. How long can he go without eating before I should take action? Also, I know mbd is not reversible but can be stopped. Will his hump ever go away? I will get pictures as soon as he is settled.
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Cleopatra"
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

How old is he? If he's an adult a 20 gal cage is rather small, adults should be in a 2'x4' cage at least. Unless the Indonesian subspecies is alot smaller than Northern BTS's.

What kind of food have you offered and how much? He may be more inclined to eat some superworms or silkworms (I would lightly dust these with calcium powder since he is suffering from MBD). Have you brought him to a vet since he came into your care? If his MBD is well advanced, he will need medical aid to get back on track.
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PHLdyPayne

He is around 6" with his tail. I have offered collard greens, dog food, earthworms, and a puree of collard grens, carrots,dog food, strawberrys and banannas. Hasn't touched a thing. How long can he go without eating? Should I just leave him be and offer 2x a week until he is settled enough to eat?
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Cleopatra"
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

I would puree a mix of greens and use a little bit of cat food as a binder and offer food every day. Make sure temperatures are idea (around 100F basking spot and about 70-75F cool end). Place the food in a shadow dish but not alot of it, a tablespoon is more than enough for a baby like you have. Also, offering a small amount makes it easier to tell if he's eaten any of it. If you offer too much he may have a few bites and you won't be able to tell. Dogfood is also no good for skinks, cat food isn't much better but a small amount is ok, though insects are better. If you can get some silkworms, these worms won't wonder off as much as superworms would and thus easier to tell if he has in fact eaten any.

If he's in a glass tank, cover the three sides with paper or cardboard so he's not distracted by things outside the cage. Leave him alone so he can come on on his own. BTS do tend to hide most of the time, so its not unusual if you don't see him at all. Replace food each morning and change water. Other than that, leave him be.

If he doesn't look skinny (especially around tail base) he should be ok for a few days to a week without food. If he looks really skinny, a vet check may be necessary to see if he has other issues to deal with.
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PHLdyPayne