i have been really reluctant to post anythin on here about my water monitor but after what i have been through i feel i should voice some things i have learned so that others can maybe learn from my mistakes
it all started at a reptile expo 2 weeks ago.
i had been planning on buying a water monitor for months, and then i decided to get one at the show so that i cn hand pick it and make sure its healthy and all that.
well that was my first mistake. water monitors, especialy babies, are very susceptible to URI(upper respiratory infections) and low temps are a for sure way to make sure they get one. well at shows most vendors leave there animals at the facility over night w/o heat. most of the time in bags or bins. im not saying this is cruel but its just what has to be done at shows. most reptiles can handle this no problem. but small water monitors cant.
so i get him how into his new enclosure. basking temp at 110 and ambient at 85
with humidity around 70-85
second mistake, basking temp should be at 130+ and should be checked with a temp gun. my temp probe was reading 130-135 got a temp gun and it was actually 110
so its not that i didnt do my research i just had a bad thermometer.
anyways i was also turning his heat off at night for a night drop down to about 78 which is what my reptile room is set at al the time.
so with lower temps than needed and cooler temps at night my little guy started coughing and bubling and soon after stopped eating.
so now im panicing calling everyone i know and everyone is saying that he will prob die.
so being the stuborn animal lover i am i refused that as an answer. so i imediatly moved him to a 32 quart bin with a mercury vapor bulb and a water dish with paper towels. i call it a nursery lol.
so now his basking spot is 140s and ambient is 90-95.
i gave him a shot of baytril and also added some to his drinking water for 2 days
and i soak him in the shower 2 times a day
i have been syringe feeding him turkey and eggs with vitamins and he seems to be getting more energy every day. he still wont eat on his own but i think he will very soon. he is gettin a little attitude now when i take him out to feed and soak and he seems to fight more when i feed him.
things are slowly looking up
sorry for the rant. i just wanted to share my story and my findings.
there is very little information known about monitors and there care and even less information available to the average person. but i love these animals and will never stop keeping them.
P.S. i dont want to get any links to caresheets or get leactured on adult size of a water monitor.
so if you want to flame me for having a water monitor save your breath. but any CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is very welcome
it all started at a reptile expo 2 weeks ago.
i had been planning on buying a water monitor for months, and then i decided to get one at the show so that i cn hand pick it and make sure its healthy and all that.
well that was my first mistake. water monitors, especialy babies, are very susceptible to URI(upper respiratory infections) and low temps are a for sure way to make sure they get one. well at shows most vendors leave there animals at the facility over night w/o heat. most of the time in bags or bins. im not saying this is cruel but its just what has to be done at shows. most reptiles can handle this no problem. but small water monitors cant.
so i get him how into his new enclosure. basking temp at 110 and ambient at 85
with humidity around 70-85
second mistake, basking temp should be at 130+ and should be checked with a temp gun. my temp probe was reading 130-135 got a temp gun and it was actually 110
so its not that i didnt do my research i just had a bad thermometer.
anyways i was also turning his heat off at night for a night drop down to about 78 which is what my reptile room is set at al the time.
so with lower temps than needed and cooler temps at night my little guy started coughing and bubling and soon after stopped eating.
so now im panicing calling everyone i know and everyone is saying that he will prob die.
so being the stuborn animal lover i am i refused that as an answer. so i imediatly moved him to a 32 quart bin with a mercury vapor bulb and a water dish with paper towels. i call it a nursery lol.
so now his basking spot is 140s and ambient is 90-95.
i gave him a shot of baytril and also added some to his drinking water for 2 days
and i soak him in the shower 2 times a day
i have been syringe feeding him turkey and eggs with vitamins and he seems to be getting more energy every day. he still wont eat on his own but i think he will very soon. he is gettin a little attitude now when i take him out to feed and soak and he seems to fight more when i feed him.
things are slowly looking up
sorry for the rant. i just wanted to share my story and my findings.
there is very little information known about monitors and there care and even less information available to the average person. but i love these animals and will never stop keeping them.
P.S. i dont want to get any links to caresheets or get leactured on adult size of a water monitor.
so if you want to flame me for having a water monitor save your breath. but any CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is very welcome
had interest in a pinky but just looked at it last night. how long did it take yours to start eating on his own?