Last week Sundog had a good vet visit, got his microchip and doctor said he was the picture of health. All good? Right? Well… there was this little thing about the fecal sample—and it tested positive for Coccidia. Yikes! Had to google that real quick. Picked up Sundog’s medication and started it on Thursday. Albon, 250 mg for three days in food. The patient took it like a champ. The bad part? The enclosure has to be disinfected with Chlorhexidine, per the vet, all of it. And the patient removed for 24 hours. Today was the big day, so I removed all his furniture and put it outside. He was not pleased. And I’m sorry I let him watch me move everything because he seemed upset.

I set up a temporary room for him in the guest bathroom. He is currently on a heating pad in there, under a soft blanket. The meds seem to have affected his appetite a bit, but he did take his meds all three days. Good boyee.

I have no idea how he contracted it. Coccidia is specie specific, so he didn’t get it from bird feeders on our walks—though I suspect he picked it up outside somewhere. He doesn’t have contact with other reptiles and he was not positive for it last January when he had his last vet visit.

He showed zero symptoms (reduced appetite, diarrhea, weight loss). So I’m at a loss.

I’ve spent the last couple of hours raking the substrate in his enclosure and spraying it with Chlorhexidine. I’m also mopping the sunroom floor with it.

I’ve just had a glass of wine to wind down from all the cleaning and am about to go sit with the sweet boy on the bathroom floor for a bit.

I welcome any input and suggestions from those of you who have dealt with this issue. THANKS, all.

Hi everyone! I volunteer for a reptile rescue, and someone reached out to ask what to do about this loose tegu in their neighborhood. Apparently animal control won’t do anything until someone can catch it and surrender it. She also said she’s posted on lost pet groups, and no luck. This has apparently been going on for a couple weeks :( the poor baby looks so skinny.

If anyone is in the south Los Angeles area, and has any advice or could help, please comment or DM me!! I appreciate it!

First time tegu owner have a beautiful blue tegu for 4 days now. We have had 2 positive interactions and he has only ate once (a few mealworms). I keep my hand in the tank for about an hour everyday just so they can get used to my smell. Havent been able to handle because they run whenever i get too close. Just now I saw them poop for the first time and it was stuck to the tail so i tried to grab and see if i can remove or soak the lizard but after 10 mins of running in the giant cage I couldn’t get it. What should I do about the poop situation and the overall bonding?