possibly getting another tegu tomorrow

[Guest]

I know a person who is having some problems with one of their tegus and since I already own one they're wondering if I'd take it in. I'm told this tegu looks like it may lose a couple toes and that its been in a grumpy mood. It's about 18 inches and fed every 3 days...

My plan was to keep it in a 40 gallon breeder for a little while to keep a better eye on it while I look for a larger tank or find what I need to build one. I will, of course, get some hemlock mulch (thats what my other tegus in)
My current tegu hasn't had problems with sheds but I'm assuming thats what is happening with the toe loss, is there a way I can try and save the toes or are they a lost cause?
I feed my tegu daily so this one would be fed daily, I'm hoping that by eating every day the mood will lift. I know mine turns into a turd if its hungry.

 

[Guest]

toes? anyone?

 

[Guest]

Try putting oil on them .. Maybe some antibiotics ???

 

[eddyjack]

A daily soak in warm/almost hot water for as long as you have time for. My female really enjoys her tubbie time. Gently rub some hypoallergenic lotion (very mild) after every bath.

Yep! I think we all get a little "grumpy" after not eating for 3 days! Feed that little critter, I am certain that you will see marked improvement in attitude in a very short time.
My little girl was under fed when I got her, the relationship grew very strong as I fed and handled her more. The guy that I got mine from admitted to only feeding her once or twice a week.

I already know what some are going to say, "It's the time of year that they slow down on eating and ready themselves for hybernation". It sucks to go to bed hungry, I take mine out everyday that she comes out of her hide, and I always place food for her. For example, yesterday marks two days since she last ate, she did not come out Friday. I got her out yesterday, put her in the tub, she did her usual routine with the exception of eating. I put a real nice big mouse in for her. She played with it but did not eat it. Thats ok, this very moment she is in her bath and will have the opportunity to eat the mouse again today. If she does not, that is up to her, but she still gets the option.

I will assume thay yours will eat and probably eat a lot at least for a while. So simply give yours all it will eat everyday that it will eat and then let nature run its course.

Good luck and congrats on your new pal!

 

[Toby_H]

Feeding fish or crustations will add oils to the skin naturally... supplementing fish oil (cod liver oil) to processed foods like ground Turkey is another way to add oils 'naturally'. Adding oils will allow for cleaner sheds which which is a common cause of toe issues.

Adding oil/lotion externally is likely another logical approach, though I have no personal experience doing so.

Keeping the humidity lelvel in the enclosure up as well as moistening the mulch will help prevent oil loss in the skin. Bathing surely helps loosen dead skin that isn't coming off clean. I've heard warnings of over bathing to a point the animal begins loosign oils, but I've never seen evidence of this. But it's worth keeping in mind if you are bathing frequently.

While this is the time of year for hibernation/brumation, it is important that the animal go into this stage well fed. So in your case, provided the animal is accepting food, I would keep the enclosure at summer temps and try to fatten him/her up.


Congratts on the rescue. once nursed to health do you plan to keep it? or rehome it?