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IS MY LIZARD SICK?
An error that those new to keeping reptiles make often is taking too long to recognize problems. OBSERVATION is your best defensive weapon.....and your best offense as well. Those who have kept reptiles for a while watch for the first signs, as animals will hide symptoms of illness for as long as possible. It is a survival instinct. Reptiles are very adept at hiding their illnesses. You have a problem when you first notice any symptom.
APPETITE DECREASE
DARKENED AND DULL COLOUR
LACK OF MOVEMENT
FRANTIC MOVEMENT GLASS SURFING
HIDING EXCESSIVELY
NOT BASKING
LISTLESS
DEPRESSED LOOKING IN GENERAL
LAYING WITH HEAD DOWN OFTEN
COUGHING
LACK OF GROWTH
SKIN CHANGES
RUNNY AND / OR CLOUDED EYES
CLOSED EYES
NOSTRAL DISCHARGE
LACK OF STOOL
RUNNY STOOL
AND ON AND ON
A REPTILE'S SYSTEM IS AS FALLIBLE AS OUR OWN. THEY ARE LIVING ORGANIZISMS.
And the range of health conditions as simple or as complicated.
Each is an individual. That is why you see such a range of successful habitats, diets, contradictions on care. There are many ways to be successful. You need to find the groove for your beliefs and your reptile's satisfaction and health.
APPETITE DECREASE
DARKENED AND DULL COLOUR
LACK OF MOVEMENT
FRANTIC MOVEMENT GLASS SURFING
HIDING EXCESSIVELY
NOT BASKING
LISTLESS
DEPRESSED LOOKING IN GENERAL
LAYING WITH HEAD DOWN OFTEN
COUGHING
LACK OF GROWTH
SKIN CHANGES
RUNNY AND / OR CLOUDED EYES
CLOSED EYES
NOSTRAL DISCHARGE
LACK OF STOOL
RUNNY STOOL
AND ON AND ON
A REPTILE'S SYSTEM IS AS FALLIBLE AS OUR OWN. THEY ARE LIVING ORGANIZISMS.
And the range of health conditions as simple or as complicated.
Each is an individual. That is why you see such a range of successful habitats, diets, contradictions on care. There are many ways to be successful. You need to find the groove for your beliefs and your reptile's satisfaction and health.
There are some that are much more common than others. Particularly on the young end of life. Older animals are likely to get the more complicated conditions like we ourselves develop, later in life....arthitis, liver and kidney problems, problems related to obesity, etc.
The most common conditions include: metabolic bone disease, parasites/worms, impactions,
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE
Is a combination of 3 requirements. Calcium, D3 and UVB. UVB lamps are only recently becoming better. Have to be changed regularly, the length of time required between changes varies by brand and style. The distance from the reptile also varies the amount needed by each species is different. D3 is the go between for the calcium and UVB for diuanal species. Without it the body cannot absorb the UVB rays needed.
While it is said that Calcium cannot be overdosed...excessive calcium will cause problems later in life depositing crystals in joints and affecting some of the organs, including the heart.
For an indepth look at UVB: UVB, The Answers
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE:
Caught early, MBD can be worked with at home successfully. Extra supplement on the calcium and new UVB conditions or a new lamp can improve the situation dramatically in just a few days. Direct sunlight will be a huge benefit. The treatment will not likely improve any damage to the bone structure if the disease has progressed to that stage.
PARASITES ~ Internal
Tiny organizisms that reside in the body can become overwhelming in the reptile's system. I have found this particularly prevalent when the lizard is stressed or fighting something else and their immunity is down. It gives the parasite an extra advantage and they use it. The first step to dealing with this at home is to provide a food /drink that will clear their system and remove as many as possible. While this does not eliminate the problem it does lessen the parasitic burden. If this is cocciadia then with an electrolyte this may be the cure. A second dose of cleanser will help take care of any new infestation. Try prune juice dropper fed or added to food or water sources. Pumpkin is another cleanser as are beets.
Dewormers can be found in some countries but have been taken off the market in others (like mine...grrr). A dewormer can help by clearing the system and minimizing the production. Followed by a probiotic can be very helpful in restoring balance of positive gut flora.
WORMS
Fenbenzdol is the favoured active ingredient recommended for fighting a worm infestation. The appetite will decrease over time. The frequency they will take food will decrease. Then you may see them looking longingly at the prey, possibly lunge once and then lose interest. The worms cause cramping. Your reptile has learned that to eat means pain.
A natural source having success in the tort world eliminating some worms, nemitodes in particular is pumpkin. It is a natural laxitive that expresses and cleans the system out. It does not kill the worms just flushes them through the system. There are many natural laxitives in foods. Find the one most suitable for your lizard.
IMPACTIONS
As simple to explain as the word. Impactions can be caused by inappropriate substrates, prey and insufficient water. Dehydration will bind the system tighter and exacerbate the situation. Be observant and aware of your reptile's pattern, size and consistancy of elimination. Deviations from their patterns should be watched carefully. Healthy stool will have a white urate well formed, 1/4 to 1/2 the length of the defication.
Many are having success working with this condition at home when evaluated and acted upon quickly. Prune juice.
Mineral oil will help push the impaction through the system. Olive oil will help to coat it. Warm baths and gently rubbing the belly in a circular motion. Extra belly heat. Eliminating proteins and maintaining a vegetarian diet. Eliminating high chiten feeders like mealworms. More activity.
EYE ISSUES
Closed, swollen eyes could be as simple as a scratch or a piece of substrate in the eye, or the eye may be irritated. Any saline solution can be used to flush the eyes. Contact RINSE solution is one you may have on hand. For an infection many have used the medicated turtle eye drops on the market. I am not sure what the opinion is on using Visine though I have heard of it being used, I am not aware of what the complications of using this may be. For infected eyes I have also heard of using pink eye drops. Again, I caution that I have never had the need to try these solutions and am only passing forth that I have heard of them being used.
The most common conditions include: metabolic bone disease, parasites/worms, impactions,
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE
Is a combination of 3 requirements. Calcium, D3 and UVB. UVB lamps are only recently becoming better. Have to be changed regularly, the length of time required between changes varies by brand and style. The distance from the reptile also varies the amount needed by each species is different. D3 is the go between for the calcium and UVB for diuanal species. Without it the body cannot absorb the UVB rays needed.
While it is said that Calcium cannot be overdosed...excessive calcium will cause problems later in life depositing crystals in joints and affecting some of the organs, including the heart.
For an indepth look at UVB: UVB, The Answers
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE:
Caught early, MBD can be worked with at home successfully. Extra supplement on the calcium and new UVB conditions or a new lamp can improve the situation dramatically in just a few days. Direct sunlight will be a huge benefit. The treatment will not likely improve any damage to the bone structure if the disease has progressed to that stage.
PARASITES ~ Internal
Tiny organizisms that reside in the body can become overwhelming in the reptile's system. I have found this particularly prevalent when the lizard is stressed or fighting something else and their immunity is down. It gives the parasite an extra advantage and they use it. The first step to dealing with this at home is to provide a food /drink that will clear their system and remove as many as possible. While this does not eliminate the problem it does lessen the parasitic burden. If this is cocciadia then with an electrolyte this may be the cure. A second dose of cleanser will help take care of any new infestation. Try prune juice dropper fed or added to food or water sources. Pumpkin is another cleanser as are beets.
Dewormers can be found in some countries but have been taken off the market in others (like mine...grrr). A dewormer can help by clearing the system and minimizing the production. Followed by a probiotic can be very helpful in restoring balance of positive gut flora.
WORMS
Fenbenzdol is the favoured active ingredient recommended for fighting a worm infestation. The appetite will decrease over time. The frequency they will take food will decrease. Then you may see them looking longingly at the prey, possibly lunge once and then lose interest. The worms cause cramping. Your reptile has learned that to eat means pain.
A natural source having success in the tort world eliminating some worms, nemitodes in particular is pumpkin. It is a natural laxitive that expresses and cleans the system out. It does not kill the worms just flushes them through the system. There are many natural laxitives in foods. Find the one most suitable for your lizard.
IMPACTIONS
As simple to explain as the word. Impactions can be caused by inappropriate substrates, prey and insufficient water. Dehydration will bind the system tighter and exacerbate the situation. Be observant and aware of your reptile's pattern, size and consistancy of elimination. Deviations from their patterns should be watched carefully. Healthy stool will have a white urate well formed, 1/4 to 1/2 the length of the defication.
Many are having success working with this condition at home when evaluated and acted upon quickly. Prune juice.
Mineral oil will help push the impaction through the system. Olive oil will help to coat it. Warm baths and gently rubbing the belly in a circular motion. Extra belly heat. Eliminating proteins and maintaining a vegetarian diet. Eliminating high chiten feeders like mealworms. More activity.
EYE ISSUES
Closed, swollen eyes could be as simple as a scratch or a piece of substrate in the eye, or the eye may be irritated. Any saline solution can be used to flush the eyes. Contact RINSE solution is one you may have on hand. For an infection many have used the medicated turtle eye drops on the market. I am not sure what the opinion is on using Visine though I have heard of it being used, I am not aware of what the complications of using this may be. For infected eyes I have also heard of using pink eye drops. Again, I caution that I have never had the need to try these solutions and am only passing forth that I have heard of them being used.
