Hibernating a MBD tegu

[Guest]

I have been battling MBD with my young tegu. I took him to the vet about 2 months ago where he got some d3 shots. I also stopped feeding him eggs and started dusting all his food with calcium powder. He seemed to be doing better for almost a month. He became very active and would even scratch at the glass to be let him out and explore the apartment.

Then he I noticed he had a few kinks in the end of his tail and he started to go off feed. So I got a better PowerSun bulb, took him to the vet for another D3 shot, and brought the temp of the cage up. I have been force feeding him intensive care cat food mixed with calcium for the last 2 weeks. He just doesent seem to want to eat. The only thing he will occasionally eat is fish.

Yesterday he didnt come out of his bedding at all. So today I unbarried him "I know, its not good to do this" but he needs the time under the UV to get better. When I uncovered him today, I took notice of his behavior. I noticed he wasnt walking correctly, he was dragging belly and not moving back legs well.
I think he may be trying to hibernate and that why he is going off feed, but I dont think I should let him hibernate if he is not in perfect health. I think him going off feed and spending time under the mulch will further prolong his recovery from this MBD.

P.S. he is pooping fine and his temps are 80 F on cool side and 110 F in the basking spot, with night lows of 75 F.

I am trying so hard to get this guy happy and health again. Can someone please give me advice.

 

[Toby_H]

When a Tegu (or any animal) is in full hibernation, their metabolism slows down to nearly a halt. Which means their biochemistry is barely functioning. Thus their need for UVB, calcium, protein, calories, etc, etc drop to nill.

If your Tegu feels the need to hibernate and you are forcing him against his nature, you may be doing him more harm than good...

I would let the Tegu go to sleep and would allow the temperature to in the enclosure to drop. I typically suggest hibernating a tegu in typical indoor temperatures, but in your case I suggest going with cooler temps to encourage the metabolism to drastically slow.


As you are working with a Vet, I would discuss your plans with him/her... Yet I would also be asking the vet how experienced they are working with reptiles that hibernate...

 

[Jefroka]

This is a tough one, definitely need the direction of a well seasoned vet who is very experienced dealing with your concerns. My gut tells me though that I would not want a sick tegu to go into hibernation.

You want a healthy animal going into hibernation so they can make it back out, but this is just my .02.

Consult with your vet.


...Jefroka

 

[TheTeguGurl]

I am not a vet, but I am taking care of a tegu with bad MBD and I wont let him go to sleep..A tegu with MBD needs special care and the lighting of uvb/uva to help him get better and meds of calicum everyday!