Water Dragon Update July 1

Wednesday, 01 July 2009 23:53

Nessie has been taking advantage of the water bath in his cage, to lounge and relax.  Thanks to Chris of NZ Reptile Supplies we have found a good source of live insects that is produced by Microcosmos.  They supply zoos, universities and even hospitals with high quality insects for consumption or medical treatment.  Nessie gets VERY lively when he spots a live insect in his tank so in addition to the Fluker's products I will be supplying him with healthy raised live prey.  We will also have crickets available on the website for your reptiles. 

You may ask 'Why can't I just feed insects that I find outside?'   There are several reasons this is not a good idea.

1. If you choose to feed live insects you need a reliable and ongoing source.
2. Insects caught from outdoors have parasites, that can be passed onto your reptiles and may have been exposed to chemicals in the yard or in a neighbour's yard.  Slug bait can kill a reptile just as easily as it can kill an insect. 
3. Microcosmos insects are gut loaded with a high calcium content food (i.e. you are what you eat).  We have no idea what the nutritional value of wild caught insects might be, so beware the quality of food you are feeding your pet.

Water Dragon Update

Monday, 15 June 2009 22:17

Nessie's progress is slow, but for the last few days he has been very inquisitive and holding his head up and looking around. He even ate a praying mantis by himself rather than being force fed.  Well done Nessie, keep up the good work!

Scaly Face Mites

Tuesday, 09 June 2009 22:47

Scaly beak/scaly face mites are faily common in pet birds and is caused by a microscopic mite called Knemidocoptes. 

People and non-avian veterinarians may get confused between lice and mites.  Just remember lice can be seen with the naked eye whereas mites are generally microscopic.  Lice can be treated with powders and sprays whereas mites are not affected by these as they burrow under the skin and are protected from topical medicines.  In New Zealand there is NO over the counter treatment for scaly beak and you must see a veterinarian to get it treated.  It will completely clear after 2 or on rare occasions 3 treatments.

I saw a very dramatic case of knemidoctoptes recently that was severely affected the face and legs.

	Presenting bird 'Bounce'
One week after first treatment

Bounce at 2nd treatment

This is an easily treatable and very rewarding disease to treat, so if you have any concerns contact

Linda on 021 065 1681 or your local veterinarian.

Nessie the Water Dragon

Monday, 08 June 2009 09:27

We aren't very inventive with names, hence "Nessie" for the water dragon.  It is not possible to visually sex a water dragon at this age, so we refer to Nessie as a he. 

Nessie is about 9 months old and has metabolic bone disease (MBD).  There is a very comprehensive article on the pathophysiology of this disease process in the Exotic Pet section, but in simple terms MBD a lack of UVB light (direct sunlight - not filtered through glass)  or a reptile specific UVB light interferes with Vitamin D metabolism and distribution of calcium in the skeleton.  The bones become soft and will often fracture or 'fold' on themselves.  An overall depletion of body calcium also causes weak muscles and even tremors and can also cause kidney failure.  A reptile will stop eating, be weak, may have a tremor and in Nessie's case, he was hardly using legs and was moving more like a snake.  He also couldn't lift his head off the ground.

Reptiles as cold blooded animals do everything very slowly.  They will get sick slowly and they take a long time to recover, so it will take 3-6 months of daily medication and force feeding before we may see a change in Nessie's condition.

I've been treating him for about a month now and he has good days and bad days.  I have the hospital tank set up so that he can't fall and fracture bones.  Some days he is quite active and moves around mostly on his elbows, other days he has a distint tremor and doesn't even lift his head off the ground.

Notice the weakness in the forelimbs.

Beak and Claw Online Shop carries the correct supplies for reptile enclosures and the top of the line reptile food.