Vet Q&A-Reptile

Good afternoon! I had just gotten a bearded dragon about a week ago from my local Petco. He’s about 2 months old, and is a carefree juvenile. Poor thing had a seizure three days ago while I was giving him a bath. Since then he’s been sitting on his perch, basking. Rarely opens both eyes (tends to open just one), he wouldn’t eat, or move much in the tank. Is there anything I can do?

You should have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury. It may have been a one time episode or it could be a congenital condition. If so, you may have the option to return or exchange the bearded dragon for another one. Contact the Petco where he was purchased and ask what is the policy regarding "sick" animals.

My crested gecko has been trying to lay eggs for the past days and nothing. She already has had 6 babies and 2 eggs are not hatched. Idk what to do

If she is straining to lay, she could be egg bound. She should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Incubation time is temperature dependent but typically averages around 70 days.

Hi, I fed my bearded dragon too many waxworms (approx 15) and now he seems lethargic, closing his eyes (closing then opening, etc) most of the time. Is there anything i can do for him?

Poor dyno. I would recommend placing him in a warm water bath. Wax norms can cause constipation. The water bath can help increase gi motility and defecation. If he is not improving I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian for possible enema.

My seven year old leopard gecko hasn't eaten for a couple weeks now. I don't notice any weight loss and she is just as mobile as always but she isn't as friendly as usual. I tried soaking her in warm water and pidialite and it didn't help. What should I do??

Make sure all of your setting as far as temperature, humidity, lighting and substrate are appropriate. I will attach a link below with more information. Since she hasn't eaten in so long you may want to pinch her skin and see if she is dehydrated. If it stays tented up then you may need your vet to give her some fluids. Finally, I would consider starting to force feed her with a gecko critical care food (I like the oxbow brand) that you can mix with water and feed with a syringe. If this doesn't work then I would recommend to have your vet do an exam to ensure there isn't something more serious like metabolic bone disease or an intestinal impaction could be going on. http://www.anapsid.org/leopardgek.html I hope this helps.

In our area there are no vetnerian so please help my turtle . A pimple like white spot has happen to my female red eared slider turtle and white like patches has happen to my male red eared slider turtle in his feet and neck. When the male turtle walked in the floor white patches are opening like skin .

I would be concerned about possible fungal infection. If you cannot make it to a vet I would recommend placing them in a dry environment three times a day for 20-30 minutes. You can buy iodine and dilute it a lot and apply small amount to the lesions. Also some pet stores have drops to place in water of tank to help with fungal growth.

Today my turtle isn't active as he normally is. He stands at the bottom of the tank as still as a croccodile or folds his head or legs into his shell. I did a water test and made sure ph is okay, I placed that calcium thing in the water, the temperature is on 26 to 26.5, he has a ub light and a floating island, he has room, he has feeder fish and small crayfish which has eaten most of, and the filter is working fine. Why has my turtle lost its sparkle?

Recheck the water and air temps with a different thermometer. Typically, the behavior you are seeing, in the absence of additional symptoms, is usually due to low temps. Check him over for obvious injury or trauma. Monitor for persistent or worsening lethargy, loss of appetite, discharge from the eyes/nose/mouth, blowing bubbles or "gaping" (holding mouth open or repeatedly opening/closing it). If necessary, have him examined by your veterinarian or by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. You have an amazing habitat for your species of turtle. When he eats, make sure he doesn't ingested any of the gravel. Additionally, offer some fresh chopped greens since these turtles are omnivorous.

Lake County, northern CA: Our senior black Labrador was nosing in our iris when she suddenly backed out and started rubbing her left eye with her paws. There were no bees, spiders, scorpions, or snakes where she was. There are dried wild oats and small rice grain size burrs. 5 hours later her left upper eyelid was swollen out ½” in a 1” by 2”area. It is tender to the touch. There is no discharge. What is the likely cause and what can we do? All vets are closed and we live in a rural area.

Im so sorry to hear about Rio. It is possible that a burr scratched her cornea (corneal ulcer) or that one of the burrs got lodged in the soft tissues around her eye. It is also possible that some of the plant material caused a topical allergic reaction or that there was an insect you didn't see that bit or stung her causing an allergic reaction. You can rinse her eye out with a saline rinse for eyes. If the swelling is still present in the morning I would have her seen by a veterinarian for sure. they can examine the eye for any foreign material and can prescribe topical ointments that could help. if they suspect a more systemic allergic reaction they can give you a dose of benadryl (we cannot prescribe a specific dose without physically seeing a pet). If you are able to place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent self trauma from rubbing that is also advised. I hope Rio feels better very soon! Please let us know if you have further questions.

What are some of the best staple feeders to give a baby, juvenile and adult bearded dragon?

Bearded dragons do best on a staple diet if crickets and roaches with vegetables and fruit to add variety. Here is a link toba great website which tells you what you can feed and how often, what to give for treats and what to never feed. https://www.beardeddragoncare101.com/best-foods-bearded-dragon/

My bearded dragon is very sick. She won't eat or drink, she barely moves, her head hung low, she shakes when she does moves, can't keep her eyes open much and has a respiratory problem and bone problem from previous house. My question is do I keep trying to feed and water her or should I try and end her suffering. If so what's the best way of doing so?

Ideally, she should be examined by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. The "bone problem" may respond to treatment such as calcium injections or oral supplementation. The respiratory issue may respond to antibiotics. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution or water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage. Do this twice daily for 15-20 minutes each. It will help treat or prevent minor dehydration and warm her up. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Increase her tank temps by 5 degrees and keep it on 24/7 until she responds/recovers. Do not force feed her unless you have experience doing so. Euthanizing her at home on your own is never recommended. If necessary, have your veterinarian perform it in the clinic or by housecall.