my chinese water dragon is sick!

PureLine Exotics · 10-11-11, 07:24 PM

my 4 yr old chinese water dragon has stopped eating this past week. as soon as you offer him food he closes his eyes. his stomach is extremely tight and he wont let you near him without a fight. he is usually a very nice lizard and loves being held. we recently had a bout of mites, and was considering if he was internally impacted. he is either sitting in the basking spot, or soaking in his 72 qrt water tub. we have never seen him act so unfriendly, he was even attempting to bite. what should we do?

alessia55 · 10-11-11, 10:29 PM

I don't know anything about chinese water dragons but by the sounds of it he is acting out of character, and might be in a lot of pain. I'd recommend taking him to a vet who can treat chinese water dragons. Best of luck!

Gungirl · 10-12-11, 05:25 AM

Take it to the vets..

marvelfreak · 10-12-11, 07:03 AM

Try soaking him in a warm bath if these doesn't help him go then get him straight to a vet.

PureLine Exotics · 10-12-11, 09:37 AM

i am not with him he is being taken care of by my mom. i cant get him to the vet right now, i am looking for other ways to treat him until i can get him to the vet. i am away working right now. we have given him baths and tummy rubs.

marvelfreak · 10-12-11, 03:02 PM

Maybe call and talk to a vet and see if there's anything you could do to help it. till you could get it to one.

PureLine Exotics · 10-12-11, 07:43 PM

so does anybody have any advice on this matter or..

DeesBalls · 10-12-11, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

Maybe call and talk to a vet and see if there's anything you could do to help it. till you could get it to one.

this would be my vote... start here and see what the vet says.

Gungirl · 10-13-11, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmberJade

so does anybody have any advice on this matter or..

If you want any advice beyond contacting a vet you need to provide more information. What is the set up like that its in? what are the temps? tell us everything and maybe someone will chime in with more info. Just telling us you have a sick animal doesn't allow us the needed information to help you much at all.

PureLine Exotics · 10-13-11, 07:38 AM

well he is in a 4ft, by 3ft, by 4ft cage. has a 72 qrt waterbowl covering 3 quarters of the bottom. he has a waterfall, a basking spot with three large limbs for him to perch on, and various climb ables and plants everywhere. his water is changed often, and he always has a option of salad and strawberries on the floor; and is fed mealworms daily and pinkies once a month. his temps are normal, (i cant tell you the actual temps right this moment, but when i talk to my caretaker tonite i will add), but they have always been in a good range.

last night my caretaker was massaging his tummy in a warm bath, and spaz (the dragon) jumped up, once he resettled my caretaker found the tightness in his stomach had disperesed. so he either ruptured his stomach, or worked out the tightness. i am very worried about my baby

doesnt anyone own a chinese water dragon? because the vet on the phone didnt have a clue, and told me to bring him in (which i cant do!)

stupid vets. lol

youngster · 10-13-11, 07:55 AM

1. My beardie won't eat unless I switch up his menu. I'm not sure if this applies to CWD but iceberg lettuce and spinach aren't good. Romaine is fine.
2. If he ruptured his stomach he would probably be jumping around in pain, I think you would be able to tell.
3. Vets aren't stupid. They are just busy and can't do housecalls.

I dunno if this helped. Just trying.

Kayla90 · 10-13-11, 08:34 AM

Look at his eyes and see if they are cloudy.. I don't know much about lizards, but if anything like a snake, it's possible that he is just going into shed.

PureLine Exotics · 10-14-11, 06:33 AM

ok so hes not gona shed. no worries. but his stomach has gotten extremley tight and i dont know what to do. please no more "take him to the vet" cus i cannot do that for another 3-4 monthes. so if you own a water dragon and know what is happening please help me.

Lankyrob · 10-14-11, 06:36 AM

I am really sorry to be blunt but 3-4 month before a vet visti just isnt good enough - whomever is looking after the lizard has GOT to take him to the vet. The animal is obviously not right and without either providing perfect pictures on here or getting expert opinion first hand then it is just going to suffer.

Jenn_06 · 10-14-11, 06:56 AM

I'm sorry but we are not vets here..

I had a snake that was tight in his stomach and i did not get him to the vet fast and he passed away my husband wanted to know what happened to him and cut the snake open and saw that the stomach got twisted. so if this is going on with your lizard there is nothing we or you can do but go to the vet...

I see you cant get to the vet for another 3 to 4 mouths but you did leave it with a caretaker and i dont see why they cant take it to the vet for you. If its money tell them you will pay them back or send the money.