Help new savannah monitor arrived via mail sick

[azcards11]

So 3 days ago i order a med size savy from backwater reptiles as i had one in the past and couldn't find one in my area GA. He arrived and as i was un bagging him he was pretty lethargic not really moving have i had not used a Doppler to pick up his heart rate i would of barley new he was alive. I contacted them right away and the asked for a snap shot of him and i sent it and the said give him the weekend. Im a ER vet tech work mostly with small animals ,but i do have exotic exp. I have owned a savy before and currently out of the many pets i have my reptiles include a ball python and a iguana i've had both for over a year. So the day i got him i had a custom habitat i was supposed to get the night before of craigslist 6 1/2L 4w 4H ,but i got screwed over so i got a temp 100 gallon tank (i know they are terrible, but it had to do i have since got another enclosure hopefully he makes it until i pick it up. but any way as i was saying he was listed as small/med so he is a juvi ,but literally had no weight on him at all. His basking spot is steady at 125-130 hot side about range 98-102 cold side about 80 two hides and a moist box large water bowl with ramp he can soak in and just some fake plants to give him some cover. I know shipping is stressful and wouldn't be alarmed if he did't eat first day ,and he didn't was pretty lethargic all day did bask. I offered crickets and superworms first day and i have a colony of dubia going already before i got him. i also have pinkies frozen to be used PRN. last night i got off work at 4 offered roaches and worms nothing then i put the Styrofoam up to give him so privacy but left small opening to watch from distance he began trying to swallow with his mouth open almost like something was stuck in his throat then vomited a clear liquid and drank right after. I ve spent almost 1500 one supplies habitats and feeding supplies im very pissed and upset the humidity in cage is pretty steady at 60%. Kind of lost at what to do he needs to eat as i know ive only had him 3 days ,but he was already very malnourished. I can give him anything medical he needs, but there is no good exotic vet in my area the vet at my clinic has some experience and we do see exotics. Please help i know i was shipped a sick animal and just want him better. i know syringe feeding is always a last resort ,but he needs food. Any advice would be great and if he doesn't make it any one can recommend a place that could ship me a healthy monitor?

[Cricket1234]

LLL reptiles is a good supplier. If not, try some small breeder. Backwater reptiles is one of the worst breeders out there. Hope your monitor feels better, maybe live feeding would help? I do not very much when it comes to medical care, so I hope an experienced person with Savannahs will help you more. Good luck!

[TRD]

Every 2nd post around backwater reptiles is 1) dead animal arrived, 2) sick animal arrived, 3) animal full with parasites arrived

I don't get it why that organization is still in business - well, actually, I do understand it. It's a business. As long as people accept the animal and spend crazy amounts to bring it back to health, the business will go on. For the better good, people should stop buying and sending back their reptiles to them and get refund. Though man, I would have very serious issues with myself sending something to those people. I probably wouldn't be able to do such a thing.

Poor monitor.

Maybe you can make a search online for reptile vets close to you, some may have an emergency number listed on their website that you can call, even if just for consultancy/assessment. Either that or get in contact with your local zoo (if they carry monitors, likely they do), or an experienced monitor keeper/breeder.

I'm not sure if anyone is around here with sufficient veterinary knowledge to help you, given you are working in a vet ER room yourself and likely have a bulk of knowledge as a result...

I wish your monitor the best, and you the best of luck to find a solution here.

Take care.

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by Cricket1234

LLL reptiles is a good supplier. If not, try some small breeder. Backwater reptiles is one of the worst breeders out there. Hope your monitor feels better, maybe live feeding would help? I do not very much when it comes to medical care, so I hope an experienced person with Savannahs will help you more. Good luck!

That would be nice but only one person I know of bred savannah monitors in captivity last year, lllreptile would be my first choice and hopefully NERD has a few in the next year or so

[azcards11]

Sadly while I was at work he passed away nothing at all I could do really pisses me off I hope they refund me or better get just go out of business that lizard was suffering way before I got him sad I had to watch the end of it hopefully I can find a place that has healthy savs I found one I on kingssnake classifieds through a private guy he has. 3ft in stock so I'll most likely get him but backwater reptiles is terrible thanks for all y'all advice

[GyGbeetle]

I'm so sorry for your loss. This breaks my heart to hear that this business is willing to let these babies suffer.

[TRD]

Damn, so sorry to hear

[azcards11]

Thanks yeah it was sad to watch him suffer in the process of emailing back with them and of course they are asking about temps like it's my fault come on now he passed within 48 hours no way my fault and I emailed when I got him and stated I was unhappy with his current condition. I since found someone on kingsnake.com with a adult 3ft long and order her she will be here in 6 days very excited have a nice enclosure I built for her so hopefully this all works out well very excited my son saw her pic and said daddy we are getting a dinosaur lol

[sirtalis]

Sorry about the loss, www. savannahmonitor. net will be your best friend with the new monitor. what is your current set up like, cage size, humidity, substrate, temps (hot side, cool side, and basking spot. )