just a question about savs

thomas1123 · 03-13-14, 10:07 PM

Hello all, I have a friend who is a really sweet person and loves reptiles but refuses to give them proper care (housing feeding lighting etc) it really brakes my heart because she has had her sav for 4 almost 5 years in a 20 long aquarium... I really want to take this neglected monitor off her hands but I dont know if I will be able to Supply a big enough enclosure for its full adult size (at the moment) right now her monitor is about a foot and a half long... and its 4 years old. I know I can ateast give it a bigger enclosure than a 20 long and I have plenty of lizard experience ( had lizards sense I was a kid, now I'm a junior in college) but in no way am I saying that I am the best thing for this lizard I just think I wouldatleast be able to rehabilitate it for a while and just give it a little bit better life than it has. I know I can ateast give it a 5ft cage right now and larger later on. I just want to know what you guys think. Ive read plenty of posts about people taking in lizard trying to "save" them but not really being changing the lizards current conditions. Im open to any questions you guys have about it and advise. Thank you

infernalis · 03-14-14, 04:47 AM

There are a lot of things already wrong that will be working against you....

The size, if this animal is only 18 inches and nearly 5 years old, it has already been severely under fed.

If it has been housed in a fish tank with a screen top over it for all of those years, then chances are permanent organ damage has already set in.

At this point, the closest thing to a real rescue would be to take it immediately to an 8x4x4 with the correct conditions already dialed in, and that has no guarantees that the animal's health will improve.

The very first day, I would have a blood test done and check for impaired kidney function. (Uric acid levels)

wareagleA5 · 03-14-14, 03:11 PM

Well if you would still be willing to take it, even if it's health is compromised, and give it a better a life I'm sure the monitor would appreciate it. 5ft is better than a 20 gallon, and you certainly have the resources here to guide you in giving it the proper support. I would just make sure you have the financial ability, enclosure, heating, and food can get expensive quick. When I had my Nile I had to start breeding rats because it would have put me in the poor house to buy food for him otherwise. These guys can eat and I currently have a dubia colony going in anticipation of getting my Ackies, so being able to buy or breed your own feeders is something to think about.

thomas1123 · 03-14-14, 08:00 PM

Yeah that is true, I would have to build a cage for it and I dont Even know how long it would last. If the damage is already done, there isn't really much can help it with if it is already in bad health from the start. What would you guys do in this situation?

wareagleA5 · 03-14-14, 08:22 PM

It takes a special person to do rehah/foster type work with any kind of animal. If what you truly want is a long term pet this may not be a good option, but maybe you can help get him to a reptile rescue group.

KORBIN5895 · 03-15-14, 07:21 PM

Personally I would euthanize it.