I need some pointers

[SinjinRx8]

I hope I am posting this in the correct place. I just purchased a 3 year old tegu from a kid. I could tell right away she was not being cared for correctly. So I have some questions. First she is not that active, hardly walks around. Second she seems to be lacking muscle. Her skin around her legs and stomach is wrinkly with no muscle or fat. Third her back is really rough and seems to be scabbing on the edges. Fourth she is shedding improperly. So I'm asking can someone give me some pointers to get her back to health. I couldn't let this kid keep her knowing she was being improperly taken care of. This is my first tegu but I have been owning snakes and lizards for 7 years now. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Walter1]

I hope I am posting this in the correct place. I just purchased a 3 year old tegu from a kid. I could tell right away she was not being cared for correctly. So I have some questions. First she is not that active, hardly walks around. Second she seems to be lacking muscle. Her skin around her legs and stomach is wrinkly with no muscle or fat. Third her back is really rough and seems to be scabbing on the edges. Fourth she is shedding improperly. So I'm asking can someone give me some pointers to get her back to health. I couldn't let this kid keep her knowing she was being improperly taken care of. This is my first tegu but I have been owning snakes and lizards for 7 years now. Thanks in advance for the help.

I don't even need to see it. Get it to a qualified vet that specializes in exotics ASAP. In the meantime check out the threads regarding housing. must have access to accepable heat and grade into a cooler spot. Full water bowl. Keep posted.

 

[Lavin45]

When I got my Loki she was malnourished , and living in a tupaware box with a paper towel soaked in her own pee. As long as she wasn't wild caught you really don't need to worry about a vet just yet, unless she's showing signs of a respiratory infection ( drooling, labored breathing, raspy breaths, bubbles comming from the mouth or nose, lack of tounge flicking) then yes it'll need antibiotics.
To fatten he/she up I swear by ground chuck and eggs. Loki was skin and bones and she filled out in three weeks on those along with roaches, baby mice, and high quality grain free holistic canned dog food.
To get her moving make sure you tank is well within temperature limits, this will boots metabolism as well as the immune system.
To help with the bad shed I always recommend snake oil to all my customers. Rub it on daily as well as give he/she warm baths. It's even a good idea to put some oil in the water with her. Keep an eye out on he/she's toes and fingers, if the shed doesn't come off the toes and fingers, after multiple sheds cirulation can be cut off from the extremities and they can die and fall off.
I hope everything works out !

 

[Walter1]

When I got my Loki she was malnourished , and living in a tupaware box with a paper towel soaked in her own pee. As long as she wasn't wild caught you really don't need to worry about a vet just yet, unless she's showing signs of a respiratory infection ( drooling, labored breathing, raspy breaths, bubbles comming from the mouth or nose, lack of tounge flicking) then yes it'll need antibiotics.
To fatten he/she up I swear by ground chuck and eggs. Loki was skin and bones and she filled out in three weeks on those along with roaches, baby mice, and high quality grain free holistic canned dog food.
To get her moving make sure you tank is well within temperature limits, this will boots metabolism as well as the immune system.
To help with the bad shed I always recommend snake oil to all my customers. Rub it on daily as well as give he/she warm baths. It's even a good idea to put some oil in the water with her. Keep an eye out on he/she's toes and fingers, if the shed doesn't come off the toes and fingers, after multiple sheds cirulation can be cut off from the extremities and they can die and fall off.
I hope everything works out !

Nice going, Lavin. Good experience.

 

[SinjinRx8]

When I got my Loki she was malnourished , and living in a tupaware box with a paper towel soaked in her own pee. As long as she wasn't wild caught you really don't need to worry about a vet just yet, unless she's showing signs of a respiratory infection ( drooling, labored breathing, raspy breaths, bubbles comming from the mouth or nose, lack of tounge flicking) then yes it'll need antibiotics.
To fatten he/she up I swear by ground chuck and eggs. Loki was skin and bones and she filled out in three weeks on those along with roaches, baby mice, and high quality grain free holistic canned dog food.
To get her moving make sure you tank is well within temperature limits, this will boots metabolism as well as the immune system.
To help with the bad shed I always recommend snake oil to all my customers. Rub it on daily as well as give he/she warm baths. It's even a good idea to put some oil in the water with her. Keep an eye out on he/she's toes and fingers, if the shed doesn't come off the toes and fingers, after multiple sheds cirulation can be cut off from the extremities and they can die and fall off.
I hope everything works out !

Thank you so much! As for toes she already has the tip missing on 2 and the tip of her tail. I really appreciate your reply

 

[SinjinRx8]

I don't even need to see it. Get it to a qualified vet that specializes in exotics ASAP. In the meantime check out the threads regarding housing. must have access to accepable heat and grade into a cooler spot. Full water bowl. Keep posted.

Thank you. If it doesn't start getting better I will go to a vet

 

[Walter1]

Thank you. If it doesn't start getting better I will go to a vet

Good luck with it and keep posted. Want you both to succeed.