Vet Q&A-Reptile

My baby bearded dragon is not eating. Yesterday when I got it it had food in it's tank at the pet store but now that I brought it in it's not eating anything. I have been touching it just so it gets used to me. Please I need help!!

It is not uncommon for beardies to have a decreased appetite or no appetite for a few days after purchase. The change in environment can be stressful. Give it a week or so to settle in. Do not handle during this time. Feed daily. Offer a variety of appropriately sized prey (no bigger than the space between the eyes) such as mealworms, crickets or dubia roaches. Gut load all prey for 24 hours prior to feeding to maximize nutritional value. Juveniles need more frequent dusting of calcium and multivitamin supplements. Ideally, all new pets should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles within 72 hours of arriving home to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre existing conditions. Follow the link below for more information regarding care of bearded dragons. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html

My bearde md dragon has got some blood in his poo and he is not eating for the past 2 days

Being dehydrated can result in harder stools, and that may result in the blood you're seeing.The first thing to do is take care of that. Buy some unflavored Pedialyte (yes, the kind for human infants).Prepare a shallow bath consisting of 1/2 water and 1/2 Pedialyte. Soak your beardie for about 20 to 30 minutes twice a day. Reptiles can absorb the electrolytes and fluids through their vents (where droppings pass out), so make the water deep enough to cover the vent. Be sure to supervise closely. After a couple of soaks, you can try feeding him. Get some plain chicken baby food. Drop a dollop right on the end of his snout. Most of the time, they will lick it off. You can feed him this way until his appetite returns. Also, be sure your husbandry is 100% correct. Here is a good care sheet for you to reference. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Bearded-Dragon/ If no improvement in about 4-5 days you need to get him to a reptile vet for an exam and at least a fecal test to check for internal parasites which can also be the cause of the blood you are seeing. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I recently got a leopard gecko and I noticed last night that she isn't eating and her tail is getting smaller. She's not even a year old. I got her in April.

There are a few things that can cause anorexia and a small tail in leopard geckos, but one concerning and common cause is called stick tail disease. This disease is caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium, and can cause wasting and death in geckos without treatment. I highly recommend that you bring Rufus to a herp vet as soon as you can to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. Cryptosporidium can't be cured, but it can be managed with medication. There is a vet in Dallas that sees reptiles - here is the information in case you don't have a regular herp vet: Summertree Animal and Bird Clinic 12300 Inwood Rd #102, Dallas, TX 75244 (972) 387-4168 The vet will probably collect a stool sample from Rufus as the crypto parasite lives in the intestines. They may also recommend bloodwork to check for other conditions as well. Good luck, and I hope that Rufus recovers!

My cat has 2 puncture holes caused by either a snake or another cat. It happened a week ago but now it is draining puss and blood. I cant afford a vet, what can I do?

Most likely this is an abscess due to a bite by another cat based on your description. A snake bite would have in most cases swollen instantly and caused serious pain and additional problems. Unfortunately this is a condition that requires systemic antibiotics to treat. You will need to get your cat to a vet for treatment. You may look to see if there are any low-cost clinics around you. Sometimes the local humane society or APL or ASPCA will have a lower cost veterinary clinic. You may find out if any of the clinics in your area offer a payment plan or allow the use of Care Credit which is credit line for medical costs you can apply for. Or you may need to ask family or friends to help out. This website may provide some other ideas/resources: http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html In the meantime you can help the abscess to drain by applying a warm compress (like a clean warm washrag) to the area for 5-10 minutes a few times daily and cleaning any drainage away afterwards. The longer you delay treatment by a vet the more expensive the issue may become to treat.

hi I have a red eared slider turtle and I noticed that his skin looks flaky and its kind of falling off and his shell has algae and it also looks gray (his shell) and dark and dry what do you think is wrong with him?

There are many different things that could be causing these symptoms. It is hard for me to say too much about it without a photo or examining him myself. 1. shell rot 2. fungal disease 3. shedding (normal or abnormal) 4. mineral deposits I suggest you take Flash to a reptile vet for an exam so you can get a diagnosis and the proper treatment. This article may answer more questions for you: http://redearslider.com/shell_conditions.html Best wishes.

My bearded dragon has crust looking stuff in him eye and he just lays around not eating as much and he always has he’s stripes on he’s tummy and he hasn’t got bigger I’ve had him since April

Hi and thank you for using PetCoach, As a first step, please make sure that you are providing Pj with the correct conditions ( e.g. have a look at https://www.petcoach.co/question/?id=411300). However, the bottom line is that Pj needs to be examined by a vet and some lab tests will likely be required before treatment can be recommended.

How to tell if my turtles shell is rotten or not

Shell rot can present as pitting, bleeding or redness. You may see peeling or uneven scutes and there could be an odor. The shell may also be soft. Poor water quality, nutritional deficiency and a lack of UVB lighting can all contribute or complicate the condition. See your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles if you suspect your turtle has shell rot.

How can I differ brumation and dehydration with my bearded dragon?

Symptoms of both can include lethargy and decreased or lost appetite. Telltale symptoms of dehydration are sunken eyes and wrinkled skin. If you pinch up some loose skin, it will remain in a tent. Captive beardies, as well as young ones, do not "need" to brumate since temperatures are constant and food is readily available year round. If Gibbler is dehydrated, you can soak her daily for 20 minutes in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. If her condition does not improve, have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Hello, I bought a frog eyed gecko from a petco and i brought him home and he hasn't been eating and he is only get thinner. I do not know what to do to help him.

Make sure his enclosure is warm enough. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. A hot spot between 85 F and 90 F should warm the rest or the enclosure sufficiently. Provide at least two homes as well. One on the warm side and one on the cool side. Offer appropriately sized prey, no bigger than the space between his eyes. Dust prey with an appropriate multivitamin and calcium supplement. You can soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm him up and can treat or prevent mild dehydration. Of he doesn't begin eating in the next day or two, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.