Stubborn uro and I'm frustrated

[LeilaNami]

My uro has been a stubborn little guy. He hardly eats but remains plump and is very picky on what he decides he wants to eat and won't GROW. I've brought him to the vet and he's been dewormed but I'm still having trouble. So far I've only gotten him to eat leafy greens, lentils, and seed.

I've tried: apples, carrots (grated and sliced), squash (grated and sliced), green beans, strawberries, blueberries, sweet potato, mango, peaches, pear, green onions, dried peas mixed in with lentils and seed (he picks around them), and Soft Gel commercial veggie/fruit mix.

I am completely at a loss on what to do with this uro. I don't think he'd even eat if I didn't place him in front of his food. He's licked all the above foods but turns his nose up at them. What the heck am I supposed to do with this monster?!

 

[CookieMonster.]

Your uro sounds completely normal to me. Uros do take a very long time to grow, so you will have to be patient with him. I've had my mali uromastyx for over 1 year, but he has only shed twice, which I know can seem strange if you're used to lizards like beardies that grow quickly, like I am.

A diet of dark leafy greens, lentils, and seed is all he needs. He doesn't have to eat fruit, and if he does, he should only be getting it 1-2 times per week as too much fructose isn't good for him. I would also limit the carrot intake because you don't want to give him too much vitamin A. Onions are not good for feeding, even in moderation. What types of squash have you offered? Mine seems to like yellow and butternut the best. What greens are you offering? Things like turnip greens, mustard greens, chickory, endive, dandelion greens, and some spring mix are all good choices. You can even offer dandelion flowers if you are 100% sure they haven't been exposed to fertilizers or and pesticides/herbicides/fungicides. Those seem to be a favorite among all types of uros. Also, i've never heard of feeding uros sweet potato, but know it causes constipation in other types of lizards, so I'd be careful with that.

Have you ever checked out Doug Dix's site deerfernfarms? There's a lot of good uro info there, and he sells products and supplements that are good for uros like Uro dust and Mazuri pellets. Those will sometimes encourage a uro to eat.

I would just continue making sure he sees the food, and maybe even handfeeding him a little. I know my boy likes for me to give him a few pieces, and then he will eat the rest on his own.

 

[LeilaNami]

Your uro sounds completely normal to me. Uros do take a very long time to grow, so you will have to be patient with him. I've had my mali uromastyx for over 1 year, but he has only shed twice, which I know can seem strange if you're used to lizards like beardies that grow quickly, like I am.

A diet of dark leafy greens, lentils, and seed is all he needs. He doesn't have to eat fruit, and if he does, he should only be getting it 1-2 times per week as too much fructose isn't good for him. I would also limit the carrot intake because you don't want to give him too much vitamin A. Onions are not good for feeding, even in moderation. What types of squash have you offered? Mine seems to like yellow and butternut the best. What greens are you offering? Things like turnip greens, mustard greens, chickory, endive, dandelion greens, and some spring mix are all good choices. You can even offer dandelion flowers if you are 100% sure they haven't been exposed to fertilizers or and pesticides/herbicides/fungicides. Those seem to be a favorite among all types of uros. Also, i've never heard of feeding uros sweet potato, but know it causes constipation in other types of lizards, so I'd be careful with that.

Have you ever checked out Doug Dix's site deerfernfarms? There's a lot of good uro info there, and he sells products and supplements that are good for uros like Uro dust and Mazuri pellets. Those will sometimes encourage a uro to eat.

I would just continue making sure he sees the food, and maybe even handfeeding him a little. I know my boy likes for me to give him a few pieces, and then he will eat the rest on his own.

I do offer fruit in moderation because even greens he eats sparingly. I alternate between mustards and turnip tops. I rarely give carrots and I've only tried yellow squash. He was a little dehydrated when I had brought him into the vet. Green onions were ok'd by my vet and multiple books I've read for herbivorous lizards. Sweet potato was also ok'd but in moderation but he turned his nose up to it anyway. I've been trying to find dandelions but none of the stores or organic market seem to carry them in my area. I'll have to do a little more searching. It was hard enough finding a store with lentils.

I'm glad your uro is like mine. I was unsure about their feeding behaviors. My ig on the other hand is absolutely ready to eat all the time and will sit at the food bowl waiting for me lol. I'll check out that resource too. Thanks a lot.

 

[moose35]

what kind of temps do you have in your enclosure?



moose

 

[LeilaNami]

what kind of temps do you have in your enclosure?



moose

It's a large enclosure so the basking spot is around 110F and the coolest part of the cage is 85 to 90F.

 

[moose35]

i used to breed these guys and i think 110 is not hot enough for a basking spot for them.
i used to have a spot closer to 130- 140 for them and they would eat and grow pretty quickly.

these were 90 gallon tanks
with 2 48in full spectrum tubes on them also.

your food sounds fine. even though i never gave mine onions.
are you feeding any inverts?

moose

 

[Craig]

Never feed seeds to a Uromastyx. You could be causing an obstruction. How large is this uro? And what kind of deworming medication was given? And also how was it given? If he refused to eat he may need to be syringe fed. It is kind of difficult to open a large uro's mouth.

I have seen a lot of weird problems with these guys.

I would say this guy might need a further workup. X-rays,blood work etc..

 

[LeilaNami]

i used to breed these guys and i think 110 is not hot enough for a basking spot for them.
i used to have a spot closer to 130- 140 for them and they would eat and grow pretty quickly.

these were 90 gallon tanks
with 2 48in full spectrum tubes on them also.

your food sounds fine. even though i never gave mine onions.
are you feeding any inverts?

I'm using a 150 watt basking bulb. It's a 40 gallon breeder tank.

Never feed seeds to a Uromastyx. You could be causing an obstruction. How large is this uro? And what kind of deworming medication was given? And also how was it given? If he refused to eat he may need to be syringe fed. It is kind of difficult to open a large uro's mouth.

I have seen a lot of weird problems with these guys.

I would say this guy might need a further workup. X-rays,blood work etc..

Never feed seeds? That goes against every book, care sheet, and owner I've spoken to so far. The uro is around 7 inches (and he's grown an inch in the last year and a half). Panacure (I believe that's how it's spelled) was given as the dewormer. It's not that he's refusing to eat, he's just very picky and he's too slow to get the food before it dries out so I have to hand feed or place him in front of the food bowl. He doesn't eat too much seed either. Mostly lentils and leafy greens. He's plump, alert, and active but I'm just a little frustrated he wasn't eating a variety of foods.

 

[Craig]

I have seen seeds first hand kill a lot of uros. Let us think about their diet in the wild and why on earth they would need seeds to sustain them. Every other part of the diet it sounds like you are doing really well.

The seed thing makes so sense. It is kind of like reptiles on Calcisand. I could tell people that I have seen hundreds (literally) of reptiles that have died or been euthanized because of Calcisand and coconut bedding. People always quote some reptile breeder who has no scientific experience and say that sand is ok etc..etc..etc..

I find that a big problem with reptile medicine is the internet. Because of the internet every one is an "expert" to some degree re: reptile medicine. It really delays care for the pet. I am sure tons of people will argue with me and say this.. and that is ok. I really do not care. I work for a reptile vet. I deal with reptiles in a medical setting every day. I have done so for most of this decade. My specific area of expertise is reptile medicine. Most of the people I hang out with frequently these days are veterinarians or in the animal medical profession doing something else.

I'm not trying to argue the point, (sand vs no sand...seeds vs no seeds) but I am trying to say that I am not just another internet expert. I really know my stuff. People can do what ever they like with their pets. But it is the pet that suffers. It is also an expensive mistake. Just like people can and do feed their children McDonalds every day. They will always do it. Does that make it right or make any medical sense?

Also, with the Fenbendazole (panacur)... Most of the time if not all the time these guys will have protozoan parasites also. He should have Metronidazole or something similar to take care of the protozoans. It is also an appetite stimulant. Both treatments are done in a series of 3 or more 10-14 days apart. A fecal recheck should be preformed after the treatment is finished.

PM me if you are interested in more info re: treatment for these guys.

Again, I am not trying to be a jerk and I am sorry if I come across as that. I get frustrated when people do not listen to me when I give them free medical advise. Usually it costs $55 + for the same advise. Trust me.

 

[skippy]

my mali really liked collared greens and dandelion greens when i could find them and i've heard that they really enjoy prickly pear cactus leaves if you can find them.

 

[LeilaNami]

I have seen seeds first hand kill a lot of uros. Let us think about their diet in the wild and why on earth they would need seeds to sustain them. Every other part of the diet it sounds like you are doing really well.

The seed thing makes so sense. It is kind of like reptiles on Calcisand. I could tell people that I have seen hundreds (literally) of reptiles that have died or been euthanized because of Calcisand and coconut bedding. People always quote some reptile breeder who has no scientific experience and say that sand is ok etc..etc..etc..

I find that a big problem with reptile medicine is the internet. Because of the internet every one is an "expert" to some degree re: reptile medicine. It really delays care for the pet. I am sure tons of people will argue with me and say this.. and that is ok. I really do not care. I work for a reptile vet. I deal with reptiles in a medical setting every day. I have done so for most of this decade. My specific area of expertise is reptile medicine. Most of the people I hang out with frequently these days are veterinarians or in the animal medical profession doing something else.

I'm not trying to argue the point, (sand vs no sand...seeds vs no seeds) but I am trying to say that I am not just another internet expert. I really know my stuff. People can do what ever they like with their pets. But it is the pet that suffers. It is also an expensive mistake. Just like people can and do feed their children McDonalds every day. They will always do it. Does that make it right or make any medical sense?

Also, with the Fenbendazole (panacur)... Most of the time if not all the time these guys will have protozoan parasites also. He should have Metronidazole or something similar to take care of the protozoans. It is also an appetite stimulant. Both treatments are done in a series of 3 or more 10-14 days apart. A fecal recheck should be preformed after the treatment is finished.

PM me if you are interested in more info re: treatment for these guys.

Again, I am not trying to be a jerk and I am sorry if I come across as that. I get frustrated when people do not listen to me when I give them free medical advise. Usually it costs $55 + for the same advise. Trust me.

Wouldn't a fecal have detected protozoan parasites which they did do and treated the parasites they found. I'm just confused on the seed now because even my vet says it's fine. I'm not going by what every "internet expert" as you say preaches. I'm going by what I've compared in numerous resources again including my vet (actually 3 of them) that specialize in herps. Also keep in mind that you may not be an internet expert but I do not know you other than a screen name on a message board. Nothing personal but I'm not one to just take information given to me without question.

 

[GailC]

My uros aren't real fond of turnip and mustard greens, they seem to like milder flavored food. Right now I'm buying mixed field greens and adding a head of pok choy. They also really like dandelion greens and flowers, maybe you can find seed to grow your own.
I also feed lentils, mosty ground one but they do get whole ones too. I have heard of young uro who were dyhydrated getting impacted with whole lentils and dying so don't feed them if there is any dehydration issues.
You can also offer water in a shallow dish in the morning, some uros will drink (mine do)

 

[LeilaNami]

My uros aren't real fond of turnip and mustard greens, they seem to like milder flavored food. Right now I'm buying mixed field greens and adding a head of pok choy. They also really like dandelion greens and flowers, maybe you can find seed to grow your own.
I also feed lentils, mosty ground one but they do get whole ones too. I have heard of young uro who were dyhydrated getting impacted with whole lentils and dying so don't feed them if there is any dehydration issues.
You can also offer water in a shallow dish in the morning, some uros will drink (mine do)

I tried pok choy today and he seemed to like it but only the leafy part. He does fine with whole lentils and doesn't like them ground up. (He's no longer dehydrated) He also won't drink from a bowl