uromastyx progression concerns

[lorrainesmom]

]I purchased a 3 year old male Uromastyx at the Raleigh reptile show Saturday. He's extremely panicky, and retreats to his hide everytime I even walk by his enclosure. If I didn't know that the importation of the species had been banned, I would almost think he was a wild-caught specimen. The vendor told me that he received him in a trade with another lizard breeder, so I believe that he was a breeder, and probably was kept in a rack system. I taped paper to the sides of the enclosure, to help him calm down faster. He hasn't eaten yet, and any attempt to get him to accept food from tongs results in hissing and a panicked retreat.

At the moment I am concentrating on getting the temps up and encouraging him to eat his salad and veggies. Any ideas? here are pics of the enclosure and Onyx. Hes in shed, but I know better than to try to bathe a Uro, I've read that its the worst thing you can do, because they are desert reptiles.

I would like some ideas on getting him to calm down and start eating, any help anybody can offer would be greatly welcomed.

Ok, tried to post pics in post, couldn't figure out how to do it, but the pics of the lizard are in my gallery

[lorrainesmom]

I finally figured out how to upload the image, kinda


Here is Onyx,
here is his enclosure

[midgard]

He might be settling in still. I'm sure he could go along time with out food and be healthy. If he doesn't eat soon maybe take him to the vet. Good luck.

Sent from my VS880 using Tapatalk

[Reinz]

Just to get more info....

if jmugleston doesn't see this thread and respond, you may consider sending him a PM.
He has lots lizards, monitors, etc. I don't know if he is a dealer or breeder or not, but he posts quite a variety of pics.

[jclaiborne]

From the 2 pictures it is very hard to tell what his setup looks like. What are the ambients, basking temp, UVB setup? What type of Euro is it, they can be very skittish, if you just got him he needs time to settle in and get use to his new environment. Lizards take time to settle...more pictures are always helpful when trying to figure out the issue.

[lorrainesmom]

He's a Mali.

Ambient temps are around 85, I have 2 heat lamps above his basking area, which so far I've been able to get to 114. His uv light is above his cage, which I am unhappy with. It's in one of those double uv/heat light domes. Since his cage is 18 inches high, I don't think hes getting enough uv, so later today I'm heading out to the hardware store to get an under cabinet light and hanging in in the cage with a UV florescent light in there to up the uv.

I found him basking yesterday, but still no food eaten as of this morning. He also hasn't went to the bathroom at all, so it makes me think he was off feed at least a couple days before I got him. He is still in shed, so I wonder if that is also affecting him?

[jclaiborne]

Did you mention the size of the cage? These guys need pretty big cages to allow for the proper temp gradient. From everything I have read on these guys when we were looking at one they need a basking temp of 120+ but still maintaining the ambient of 85. So a low basking temp could have something to do with it. Lack of UV could be contributing to it as well, however if you are tweaking the tank, he is in shed, and this is a new home for him he may just be really stressed out at the moment. I would make the changes to your lighting and leave him be for a while, monitor from afar and see how he settles in.

[lorrainesmom]

I thought I would give an update on Onxy. I took him to the vet monday, due to my concern that he wasn't having any bowel movements. The vet's findings indicated that he was impacted, and possibly had a parasitic infection. Onyx was given 2 enemas, which relieved his bowel blockage, was dewormed, and put on antibiotics in case he has a bacterial infection. After the treatment, he is alot more active, and his color is better.

I also installed a radiant heat panel, and lowered his uv light, so that he can get more UV light to his skin. The basking spot is now tuned in to give him a 120 degree basking area, which will help keep him in good shape.

I really believe that he has turned a corner, and that he will be ok.

[frostysBP]

Good to hear keep up the good work

Sent from my LGL15G using Tapatalk