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 #1835004


ThePetCastle
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 MBD in Monitors?

Hello all,
I have a customer that recently rescued a savannah monitor from a "pet store of ill-repute", and need some advice on how to care for it in its weakened state. The monitor has paralyzed back legs and looks as though it is suffering from MBD. My gut reaction was to put him under UVB light and dust his food with lots of calcium. (I was basing this off of my recent success with saving a beardie brought to my store with severe seizures and basically almost dead. I was able to revive him and though he is not out of the woods yet, he has improved greatly).
Anyway, are monitors susceptible to MBD, if so, how can it be fixed, if not, what would cause the back legs to be paralyzed? Is there anything that can be done to help him?

Vital stats for the monitor
Size: 4-5 inches
Age: unknown
Sex: unknown
Other info: He is eating, but not eliminating, cannot move back legs, came from disreputable pet store, history unknown - most likely wild caught, the rescuers have no experience with monitors, but do have experience with other reptiles, including a saharan sand boa that needs lots of attention due to feeding troubles.
All other info right now is currently unknown - cage set-up/size, heat, humidity, etc. I assume the owners know what they are doing (they are good at researching the requirements) and have adjusted the enclosure appropriately.
Thank you all for any help and advice you can offer.
Richard
08/18/08  02:25pm

 #1835024


Norf
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   Message To: ThePetCastle   In reference to Message Id: 1835004


 MBD in Monitors?

For sure monitors can get mbd but as for whats going on with the sav...I have no idea.



08/18/08  02:34pm

 #1835063


BansheeRacer25
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   Message To: Norf   In reference to Message Id: 1835024


 MBD in Monitors?

You need to give the owner this link and tell them to look up some caresheets on this site. If he can provide it with a proper cage it may turn around. Ask him these following questions and tell him to change if he doesn’t have what i am listing.

substrate- 1’ of dirt.
humidity- I personally run 65 with my savs.
basking area- 120 degs for a sav that small. (use outside flood lights 45-65 watts)
cage- if its an aquarium make sure he has a solid top to hold the humidity.
food- Make sure hes feeding whole pretty items. What i would do if i was him is smash up some pinkies and dust them with d3.
cool end of cage- it needs at least 75degs on the cool end no hotter than 80.


Here are a few examples of a solid top.










These are just a few basics. If you give him that information hopefully the sav can be saved. If its having trouble chewing than mash the pinkies if not than try feeding them regular dusted.


Bill
08/18/08  02:52pm

 #1835126


Crazyfroglady
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   Message To: ThePetCastle   In reference to Message Id: 1835004


 MBD in Monitors?

I would say take her to a vet immediately. A vet who has experience with monitors. It’s hard to say what would have caused it. It could be MBD and it could have been some sort of accident. If that person does not have the money to send her to the vet I would say try and find a reptile rescue that will take her. If they do not want to do that or cannot find one then I would say try the UV and vitamin supplements and hope for the best. It saddens me and sickens me to see so many people not taking proper care of these animals, which in turn leads to their suffering. I am referring to the pet store and also the man I rescued/bought my sav from. Tell the new owner thank you for rescuing him/her and I wish them the best of luck.



08/18/08  03:28pm

 #1835383


Xvipervenomx
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   Message To: Crazyfroglady   In reference to Message Id: 1835126


 MBD in Monitors?

At that size he would either be a new born if someone had taken good care of him or older if not. If he is a newborn i dont think he would get that disease that fast. He may have a broken leg or something may have fallen on his leg. Get a uvb bulb that should help if its mbd. Also take him to the vet they may have some kind of shots with d3 to help his mbd
08/18/08  06:28pm

 #1835595


Sidbarvin
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   Message To: ThePetCastle   In reference to Message Id: 1835004


 MBD in Monitors?

Post some pictures of the animal if possible.



08/18/08  09:22pm

 #1835642


Xvipervenomx
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   Message To: Sidbarvin   In reference to Message Id: 1835595


 MBD in Monitors?

Try to get a pic up. It probally wont help alot if it has mbd but it may help for something else.



08/18/08  10:04pm

 #1835661


Geezle
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   Message To: Xvipervenomx   In reference to Message Id: 1835642


 MBD in Monitors?

Is there any sort of lump around the hip area? When I hear back legs immobilized the first thing I think of is impaction...
08/18/08  10:26pm

 #1835715


Sidbarvin
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   Message To: Geezle   In reference to Message Id: 1835661


 MBD in Monitors?

Quote:

Try to get a pic up. It probally wont help alot if it has mbd but it may help for something else.


Actually, in it’s advanced stages, MBD is quite easy to spot visually.



08/18/08  11:19pm


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