Please Help! Gold tegu foot problems.

MxMike · New Member Joined: Oct 03, 2007 Posts: 4

My gold tegu's feet look as if his toes are starting to fall off, almost as if someone twisted a couple of them around until it was just hanging by skin. There are only 2 toes like this, but he also has open sores on his back feet, and his vent. His tail skin also wont come off during sheds. Im thinking these problems could be from shedding problems around the feet. Ive been coating him with Nature's Reptile Vita-Spray to see if this would help, and I see no improvements. Please let me know what you think or any possible solutions. I feel bad I didnt notice sooner before it got like this, it looks like it hurts.
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eradi · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you need to get it to a vet ASAP!
Are the open sores thermal burns?
The shedding problems are due to lack of humidity. Toes can also be lost
from severe dehydration in the enclosure.
I am not a vet and it's hard to determine what is wrong with your tegu
without knowing history, conditions, substrate, temps, etc.
Do yourself and your pet a favor and get to a vet.
Oh, with open sores I would avoid the vita spray for now.

Good luck!
e
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1.1.0 B/W Argentine Tegu
0.0.1 Red Tegu

txrepgirl · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:45 am Post subject:

Did you ever bring your Tegu to the vet ? what did you find out what it was ? hopefully your Tegu is doing better.

snakehandler · Member Joined: Jan 03, 2008 Posts: 38

these problems could be related to the food you give him. make sure they get enuogh calcium and vitamins. gold tegus should be given mice, but not too much. one little mouse every week.
maybe for the sores it needs antibiotics. i would advice baytril, since other antibiotics dont work in reptiles.

MxMike · New Member Joined: Oct 03, 2007 Posts: 4

Yea there is no reptile vet around here so I tried helpin him. Tried changing substrates, diet, and still nothing. He now has NO toes on his front feet, and very few left on his back feet. His once beautiful yellow and black scales are fading. There is nothing left to do. I ought to just let him go outside or something. This has turned out to be a way bigger pain in the you know where than I ever could have imagined. Im sick of this tegu. The pet shop where I bought him told me NO correct information about keeping or caring for this lizard and I'm pissed about it. If any of you want him for yourself let me know and its all yours. Maybe you can try and save him. He eats, I'm just sick of him and his toes falling off.
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Respect the Snake

snakehandler · Member Joined: Jan 03, 2008 Posts: 38

a sick reptile can be frustrating..
you should take him to the vet, but maybe its too late.

txrepgirl · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

snakehandler : if you read his post again you can see that there is no vet where he is at.
MaMike : yes, I'm upset, too, when pet stores sell animals but don't provide a small book or care sheet about the animal you buy.I think that you maybe didn't keep the tank moist enough.When Tegus shed and it is to dry in the tank the skin stays stuck on them and cuts of the circulation of the part (s) where the skin is stuck.This will cause severe damage ( wich you found out ).I don't mean to be rude but you alone are responsible to do the research before you buy an animal including finding out if there is a reptile vet where you are.Only than you should of bought the Tegu and not buy him just because he is a interesting animal.I understand that you are frustrated but it is not fair to your Tegu that now you want to let him down because you ( and him ) have to face a difficult time.You need to be there for him.Remember you choose him not him you.Please try to comfort him a lot and make sure the humidity and the lighting is right.But thank God that you at least found this forum now to get some info.Like I sad I'm sorry if I came out to be to rude.Good luck with him.Oh,how old is he and how much would you sell him for ? do you have any pictures of him ? thanks.Take care.

meanah · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject:

i want it.

Rick · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

It's an owners responsibilty to find a reptile vet if they are going to keep a reptile. Period. There are vets that can look at reptiles if you check around. Look online for your local herp societys, reptile rescues, pet shops, etc and see what vets they use.

The problem you encountered is poor humidity, which resulted in a poor shed. This is why the tegu is 'faded'. The lost toes are from skin stuck around the toes, which is very painful. Imagine wrapping some rubber bands around all of your digits, that's what it feels like.

Where are you located?

Rick
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Sisco Reptiles - Proud Breeder of the Tamest & Most Social Tegus. See www.SiscoReptiles.com

meanah · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

he is located in texas. i checked his myspace and messaged him about trying to get the lizard. fyi... id love to take it from him and try to bring it back

Rick · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

Rick · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject:

meanah · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:28 pm Post subject:

oh ill be more then willing to pay for all the shippin needs. i would like to know if it is a male.. if so i could breed it with mine.. even tho "no one wants colombians" but i would like to see a good thing come from this whole horrible ordeal.

txrepgirl · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 2:31 am Post subject:

God bless your heart meanah.Hope all will work out for you

.Please keep us posted on how he/she is doing.Thanks.Take care and good luck.

meanah · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

i gotta get ahold of this kid first tho.. iwant it really bad and i told my girlfriend and my mother and they are both willing to allow me to get another one.. they both feel really bad for it and know i can make it like life again.. and if its a male.. he can become a daddy hahahaa