My tegu has become obese and has some problems

videodogg44 · Member Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 52

My 3 ft long Red Argentine is obese. I overfed her and now she has some medical problems. Its been two months since she had a bowel movement. I have not fed her for 40 days as instructed by a reptile professional that i trust...he says he has seen this before. She could have a internal obstruction, maybe a mass of undigested hair from the mice i was feeding her. I took her to the vet today and had her x-rayed, but i wont know the results until tommorrow. If she needs surgury, is it worth persuing, or should i just have her euthenized. She does not seem to be suffering, she is not sensitive to touch around the belly. Her disposition is as friendly as ever, she still walks around, not as much, maybe sleeps a little more than ususal. She still drinks water. Not much has changed other than the fact she is not able to poo.

Teiidae · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:17 pm Post subject:

It's your call - According to your post, you put her in this situation, Now what are you going to do about it - If you feel towards her as I feel about mine, I would try to save her and make things right...
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videodogg44 · Member Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 52

Well, of course i want to do the right thing. I guess i want to know if the survival rate of a Tegu that has surgury for impaction or intestinal blockage. If its a good change she will live a long life, then of course i would proceed. But if the chances are generally low, i dont want to blow a ton of money on a operation for a tegu if its only going to live a few months. I hope its not going to be that serious. I will get the findings on the xrays tommorrow. But i want to be prepared for the worse. If surgury is required, is it a worthwhile pursuit ? As far as it being my fault, of course i accept responsibility, im a learning new tego owner, unfortunatley at her expense, but i am learning and trying, but im also trying to be practical. I will do what i can, but im not going to have my car repossesed, quit eating for two months or get evicted from by apartment if the operation is too expensive. Im already out $130.00 just for the visit to the vet and xrays. If i cant afford a costly surgury, the best thing may be to put her to sleep, if she is suffering. But how can i be sure she is suffering? She seems pretty much normal, otherwise.

tupinambis · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 12:42 am Post subject:

Reptiles are generally quite resistent to bacterial infections and respond well to most surgeries if performed properly. I once had to perform a repeat surgery on one of my study animals where his sutures had given out and ruptured from an earlier surgery. Due to the rupture, his internal organs were hanging out and dragging in the dirt for a short while. The second surgery was rather an emergency case and performed under less than ideal field conditions. That tegu is still alive to this day, the surgeries were performed 2 years ago.

As long as all necessary procedures are followed and there isn't significant damage already caused, there's a very good chance your tegu would recover and live a long life yet. Give it the chance it disserves.

drfish · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:13 am Post subject:

After recently losing a Bosc monitor to bone mineral deficiency, I can safely say, as much as it may prolong the suffering, i'm sure I feel happier at giving it my all to save him, than I would of done having him Euthanised. At least I have the satisfaction, albeit minor, that I did all I could.

videodogg44 · Member Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 52

Well, the xrays are in. Its fecal impaction. There are no forign objects causing the blockage. The vet is going to try a combination of enema and a mild laxitive type medicine to help soften things up; attacking the problem from both ends. I am suppose to continue the warm baths and possible force feed fluids to ensure she is not dehydrated. Wish Lucy luck.

Rick · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:33 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear it's not overly serious. Keep us informed.

Rick
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yeaitsdave · Honored Member Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 261

Good luck with everything, most impaction cases I've seen work out. Hope it all goes well

Teiidae · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:34 am Post subject:

Hope all goes well - would not hurt to offer some pedialyte in the water to help with hydration - good luck

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videodogg44 · Member Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 52

Well, im back from the vets with Lucy. Things did not progress very well. The enema was not very "productive". So im bringing her home with instructions on how to force feed her liquids, inculding Pedialyte and some medicine called Lactueose. Some how i have to get 100 ml liquid into her every day. Force feeding is a little bit tough to do with her, especially that amount of liquid, but i have to manage it somehow. The running bill so far is $210.00. Ill keep you posted.

videodogg44 · Member Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 52

After close to 5 months, two vet visits, and about 10 enimas later, Lucy has been cleaned out and is good as new. She was backed up with a lot of fur. The vet said she had never seen so much fecal matter come out of a animal, Lucy practically exploded like a damn bursting. But all is good now, and Lucy will get to enjoy the summer. But, now she is on a strict diet and NO FUR.

Nero557 · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:53 am Post subject:

Glad to hear your tegu is okay.
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jb · Honored Member Joined: Sep 01, 2005 Posts: 201

that's great to hear. i am just reading this thread for the first time. i had a female Argus monitor get dystocia and an infection in her oviducts that led to her having surgery to clean it out. she eventually died 2 months later, but there was no way in hell i was not going to do everything i could to try to save her. the surgery bill was $350.00 (WITH a financial break) and i would do it again if it ups the odds they may live. the one bright side to her story is that i hatched out 4 babies from her earlier clutch and i kept a female...so the mom lives on in the baby's legacy.

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