- Messages
- 11
Well... I am still deciding if I want to adopt the 5 y.o. male B/W Argentine with severe MBD and related issues.
The info I have received so far.. let's just say, it is vague, at best ...so I am depending on you guys to help me piece it together, actually.
He has MBD pretty severely, as mentioned.. cannot walk properly, staggers and falls over onto his back occasionally. He also requires assistance with feeding... his food has to be handed to him due to the spasms and not being able to control his movements. He has a huge feeding response (most likely due to his incomplete diet... from what I can put together according to his foster parent's words) and needs 3ft. tongs for feeding. His growth has been stunted for any number of reasons... the MBD, the lack of proper diet, etc. ...and he is only 2ft. total length. Uhh.. yeah :roll:
I am told that he's kept in a 2' x 3' enclosure and he is fed 2 mice every OTHER day. Supposedly, he does not eat any vegetable or fruit matter. He is leash trained and has quite the personality ...once you get past the treacherous feeding response.
SOOO... I'm thinking this is going to be a full time commitment, similar to a handicapped child almost, and I have some behaviour and health issues to try to change and/or overcome.
Here's my plan, initially..
-Get him here and into a much larger enclosure with proper heat/lights
-A full check up with my Exotics Vet (30 years experience with reptiles). The foster apparently has had a general "once over" done, but I will feel better with an experienced specialist going over the entire issue with this Tegu.
-Attempt to increase his food intake and get some variety in there, over time. I'm not certain, but 2 mice every 2 days does not seem like a lot of food for a Tegu... not even one that is stunted.
-Continue with the Calcium glubionate, mulit-vitamins; and possibly get him on some other supplements (Vet prescribed/suggested) to help with his MBD, spasms, mobility, degeneration, etc.
-Begin modifying his feeding technique, in order to make it safer for all involved. I will be using tongs and specific gloves just for his feedings, to try and break the association of me and food, as well as, setting up a feeding area or tank outside of his normal enclosure and roaming area.
This is all I have for now. If you have suggestions, ideas, advice... I'd love to hear it. If you think I am facing a losing battle... or just an uphill one... please don't be shy. I need to hear the nitty-gritty of what I am considering because once I am committed to an animal, that's it... he's here to stay.
Thanks in advance!
The info I have received so far.. let's just say, it is vague, at best ...so I am depending on you guys to help me piece it together, actually.
He has MBD pretty severely, as mentioned.. cannot walk properly, staggers and falls over onto his back occasionally. He also requires assistance with feeding... his food has to be handed to him due to the spasms and not being able to control his movements. He has a huge feeding response (most likely due to his incomplete diet... from what I can put together according to his foster parent's words) and needs 3ft. tongs for feeding. His growth has been stunted for any number of reasons... the MBD, the lack of proper diet, etc. ...and he is only 2ft. total length. Uhh.. yeah :roll:
I am told that he's kept in a 2' x 3' enclosure and he is fed 2 mice every OTHER day. Supposedly, he does not eat any vegetable or fruit matter. He is leash trained and has quite the personality ...once you get past the treacherous feeding response.
SOOO... I'm thinking this is going to be a full time commitment, similar to a handicapped child almost, and I have some behaviour and health issues to try to change and/or overcome.
Here's my plan, initially..
-Get him here and into a much larger enclosure with proper heat/lights
-A full check up with my Exotics Vet (30 years experience with reptiles). The foster apparently has had a general "once over" done, but I will feel better with an experienced specialist going over the entire issue with this Tegu.
-Attempt to increase his food intake and get some variety in there, over time. I'm not certain, but 2 mice every 2 days does not seem like a lot of food for a Tegu... not even one that is stunted.
-Continue with the Calcium glubionate, mulit-vitamins; and possibly get him on some other supplements (Vet prescribed/suggested) to help with his MBD, spasms, mobility, degeneration, etc.
-Begin modifying his feeding technique, in order to make it safer for all involved. I will be using tongs and specific gloves just for his feedings, to try and break the association of me and food, as well as, setting up a feeding area or tank outside of his normal enclosure and roaming area.
This is all I have for now. If you have suggestions, ideas, advice... I'd love to hear it. If you think I am facing a losing battle... or just an uphill one... please don't be shy. I need to hear the nitty-gritty of what I am considering because once I am committed to an animal, that's it... he's here to stay.
Thanks in advance!
