Hello. I've been kind of worried about my CHINESE WATER DRAGON. He is only a baby, and I just got him a month ago. But latley, I've been noticing that he's been dragging his left art, and tucks it in under his belly when he walks (or more like limps)
Also, he is turning a dark color, and is very cold. He doesn't go near his heat lamp, and won't chase his crickets. Also, I've noticed that his stools are very smelly, and he does not poop in his water dish. He is housed w/ another (older) dragon. (But they don't seem to play rough at all) Can someone please answer my question. Thanks.
A.)
It sounds like your baby lizard might have Metabolic Bone Disease. It might also have a fractured/ swollen arm. All of these factors could be caused by: improper lighting,(UVB- vitamin D3) calcium/vitamin defiancy, or it could also be that your older dragon MIGHT be injuring her. It defidently sounds like your lizard is ill, so I recommend taking it to a reptile vet. It is also a good idea to have his stool tested for parasites. In the meantime, I recommend seperating the dragon to a seperate enclosure.
Q.) what are the common signs of mouth rot? And how is it treated?
A.)
"Mouth rot is the common name for stomatitis. It is a bacterial infection which settles into the gum tissue, palate or tongue. If left untreated, it can invade the jaw bone; advanced cases may require resectioning of the bone or tissue. One important fact often overlooked by pet owners is that mouthrot is not a disease itself - it is a secondary infection triggered by a systemic infection.
Stomatitis presents as yellowish-whitish plaques, or irregular blotches on the gums. If poked, it is somewhat soft, rather like curds."-Tricia Power, reptile expert
Most often seen in lizards with snout damage, or systemic infections due to improper environment or stress. The same goes for most snakes. If this ailment is not taken care of properly at home or by a vet using prescribed medications it can lead to systemic infection and death.Reptiles being treated for stomatitis are sick. They should be kept quite, and be kept warm. Reptiles with mouth-rot have swollen gums, and yellow (sticky) puss on them.
Q.)
I recently i noticed my gecko is spending a lot of time in his hide box, and is not very active during the day. i feed him -4 meal worms every night and give him calcium every 2 days (he is about a year old) is it possible he is sick? I live in the sothern hemisphere and we are going into winter here, but he has a heating pad.
thank you. :)
A.)
Lizards often do a great job in not showing obvious signs of illness, until a disease has gone too far, that it might be impossibly to cure. I'm not saying that your lizard is sick, but it's a good idea to take your lizard to a qualified reptile vet, and if he has a disease, you will catch it in it's early stages. You should also include a heating lamp, and a UVB(vitamin D3) lighting bulb.
Q.)
Hello. Three days ago, I purchased a FEMALE Chinese Water Dragon. I heard that they can lay eggs, even if they havn't been with a male? Is this true? Will my lizard lay eggs?
A.)
It is true. Female Water Dragons are capable of producing eggs, whether they have been with a male or not. If your lizard has reached the age of 2, it has reached its sexual maturity, and will lay eggs. A quiet hidden dark-covered carboard box, w/ river-sand and green moss around it, should be a nice spot for her to lay her eggs. ( BE SURE TO MIST THE SAND EVERY TWO DAYS OR SO)
Q.)
I recently captured a small little lizard that my two girls wanted desperately as a pet. I dont know the name of the lizard, folks call them blue bellies ( I live in Northern California) and have captures some beetles and crickets for him to eat.It seemed to eat some, but I don't know what else, if anything else to feed it. Thank you.
A.)
I'm sorry to tell you this, but it is NOT a good idea to keep a lizard that has been wild-caught. Wild-caught lizards usually don't get used to their new environment, living in tanks, and barley get used to handling. They might also be agressive, stressed, or carry parasited will will make them very ill and eventually die.
I recently noticed that my lizard has a green/brown spot on his back, and it looks gross. He is also dragging his leg when he walks...what is wrong with him? How can I cure it?
A.)
It sounds to me that you lizard is infected by a fungal or bacterial growth. Fungal and bacterial infections are usually caused by being kept in too damp and enclosure and living in a poorly cleaned cage where fungi and bacteria can grow and spread in the warm moist conditions that they love. The affected areas are usually dark and discolored similar to how you discribed it. You should take your lizard to a qualified reptile vet, the vet will probably prescibe medication such as antibiotic or antifungal cream to apply to the affected areas. I?m not so sure if the infection your lizard has, has to do with the dragging. You should add extra calcium with low phophorous, and you should also have a UVB lighting bulb over his enclosure that is less than 6 months old. You should also be giving him vitamin D supplements once a week, and if you don?t have or give him any of these items, please get them they are very important or he could get Metabolic Bone Disease.
Q.)
I have noticed recently that my son's leo is not > interested in eating. The leo will start to show > interest in food but then walk away and lay down. > I also noticed that it was scratching a little as > well. Does anyone have any info. as to what may > be going on and what I can try to make sure that > it eats? Unfortunately, I have no idea if we have > a male or female if that is important.
A.)
One of the first signs of illness is not eating or lethargic. Scratching may indicate parasites. I recommend taking your reptile to a vet, and making sure that if it has a illness, it has not progressed to the point that it may be impossible to cure!
Q.) Hello. I just caught a small lizard in my > backyard. It is small( 5 inches or so) and is a > light brown color. What should I do? What do I > feed it? Can anyone tell me what breed it is?
A.)
Sorry to tell you this, but I don't recommend keeping the lizard. Wild-caught lizards, usually don't do well in captivity. They don't get used to their new environment, living in a tank, handling, and may get really stressed or carry parasites which makes them ill, and will eventually die.
Q.)
Help I just found a lizard in my home!!! How do I take care of it? I have no clue as to > what kind of lizard it is. Where should it live? > in a tank? or what? and what does it eat? what do > they naturally like to eat?
A.)
Sorry to tell you this, but I don't recommend keeping the lizard. Wild-caught lizards, usually don't do well in captivity. They don't get used to their new environment, living in a tank, handling, and may get really stressed or carry parasites which makes them ill, and will eventually die.
Q.)
Hi, i just got home from buying a bearded dragon > from a reptile show and i picked out what i > thought was a healthy baby beaded dragon. but i > have him home now in his tank (only about 5 hrs.) > and he rarely opens his eyes. is this because i > just got home today with him from a 2 hour car > ride? he moves from place to place and stuff. > he looks fine besides that.
A.) Are your lizards eyes closed when you are near him, but open when you are far away from the dragon? If so, he's hiding, scared, or avoiding you. Otherwise it could be that the eye is getting ready to shed and he's closing it. If he's keeping the eye closed most of the time he could have something in the eye or an infection. Try flushing it with clean water and see if that helps. If the eye does NOT improve or worsens (reddened, puss or sticky material surrounds the eye) I recommend taking him to a reptile vet ASAP. IF YOU ARE NOT AN EXPERIENCED REPTILE KEEPER, I DON'T RECOMMEND flushing it with clean water, for you could worsen it more than it already is. If his eye does NOT improve, once again I will say, PLEASE TAKE HIM TO A REPTILE VET.