Newbie needs advice.......please

TEGU4LYF · New Member Joined: Apr 12, 2008 Posts: 9

Its me again, I purchased My new 8 month Red arg. Saturday and that was the last day she has eaten. She seems to pee and have runny stuff coming out of her rear every time I handle her. Is there reason for me to worry or could it be because she is shedding? This is all new to me, (other than my 4 1/2 foot ball python), it seems that she is just not doing good.I hope all my questions aren't stupid but I just want to make sure all is well. I have read the horror stories about pet shops selling sick animals and the pet shop I bought her from said we have 7 days to return her if something is wrong. Thank you again for all the help.

Sam · New Member Joined: Mar 10, 2008 Posts: 9

Hi, I'm not sure if this is right for every Tegu but i bought mine recently and he's about 3 months old maximum, it took him a while to settle in too. I figured he was just nervous about his new enclosure, he settled in about a week after so i wouldn't panic too much about him not eating, any longer and i'd get him checked out.
Also this pee stuff, is it constant or only when you pick him up? If he is no used to being handled then this is normal, mine has just about stopped this (after 3 weeks) I was told that this is a nervous thing that they do until they are used to being handled. Instead of trying to pick him up straight away, how bout just putting your hand in the tank until he gets used to your scent and your presence then try picking him up for short periods. It's all about patience, but Elvis was a quick learner and took to being picked up and handled quite quickly.

Hope the above is correct, but this seemed to work for me

Goodluck

x

TEGU4LYF · New Member Joined: Apr 12, 2008 Posts: 9

Thank you Sam, thats encouraging

venomousdave · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject:

Also, this works for snake I know. put a shirt that you have worn all day in his cage. This gets him accustomed to your scent. I have done this with aggressive snakes.
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0.1 Savu Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
0.0.1 Diadem Ratsnake
0.0.1 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Argentine b/w tegu
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
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txrepgirl · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject:

First I would like to say TEGU4LYF that no question is a stupid question.The only stupid thing about it would be if you don't ask the question

.How else could you give your Tegu a loving home.Ask all you want.We all did it at the beginning.
I would say that being in a pet store can be very stress full and now being in a new home.Sam was right,just put your hand in there and if he is not to scared try to pet him on his head.Don't worry about him not eating yet.But PLEASE keep a eye on him and see if he drinks any water so he will not get dehydrated.Look at the base ( by his hips ) of his tail.If it looks nice and fat he is ok.That's where they store all there fat.If you want to you also can do the T-shirt trick.I did that with both of my Tegus from day one and it helped a lot.If you are going to watch tv and just want to lay on the couch that would be a good time to do it.Put on two shirts ( it would be good if the outside one would be a dark one ).One shirt is for you not to get scratched up and the other one is for him to hide under.Since Tegus feel save in there hide he would like it between those shirts.He also stays warm from your body heat and gets to smell you,that also helps him get used to you faster.Just let him lay there.After you did that for a while ( a few days or weeks ) try to pet him.Hope that helps.Please keep us updated on how he is doing.Don't for get " ask all you want ".Take care and good luck.