Need Some Help!

[herper9]

Okay, we've received a savannah monitor in our store. It is a baby, only about four-five inches long. Almost looks like the slit on it's abdomen has healed not too long ago. The tank on the floor was too cold so we stuck him in the back. We've got a basking temp of about 113, with an ambient temp of around 85-90. He's not eating at all. He was lethargic on the floor, looked dehydrated, and we could see is hips. So the past two days we have force fed him. I know not the best thing to do, but he's not looking too hot. We've been using repta-aid, and tonight I cut up a pinky mouse until it was basically soup and fed him that as well. He is still strong, bites the syringe so I can't take it out easily. And he is a wriggler. So we think that he'll make it. Any ideas as to how to get a feeding response out of him? Thanks for the input!

 

[herper9]

Bump

 

[skippy]

did you try crickets? at that size they are mainly insectivorious. iv he's active and kept warm enough, he should be knocking out more crickets than you would think possible :mrgreen: good luck with him!

 

[herper9]

Yeah no crickets. He doesn't want anything to do with them.

 

[herper9]

Bump. Any other opinions?

 

[skippy]

wax worms maybe? i don't have any other suggestions :cry:

 

[TeguKid80]

Pshhh get him so dubias roaches online! ;D

 

[MMRR - jif]

Make sure that he is well hydrated and has plenty of secure hide spots. Double check your temps to make sure they are ideal and then leave him alone for a few days. Offer choice food items by leaving them in the enclosure and then giving him privacy. Hydration, rather than food, is key to health right now and appetite should kick in when the environment is ideal. Good luck!

 

[dicy]

yea i agree u should give him/her a substrate that holds moisture and mistspray him good evryday also give it a big water bowl and a foodbowl so he can drink and eat when he wants don t soak it ore anything cuz that wont rehydrate it it needs moisture from the air ore atleast in its hide (thats one of the reasons they burrow in the wild)

 

[herper9]

Well, we set everything up in ideal conditions, but he was too far gone. Thanks everyone for your help. The funny thing is, I don't even really work in the reptile department. The manager there didn't catch it, nor the person that opens and "checks" all the reptiles in the morning. Go fig.