Tongue touching chin.

[Marie]

Well Dragon is sick. She has a respiratory infection and kidney problems. She has been pretty resilient (sp may be wrong) in the past and bounced back. I am hoping she does this time. She seems in pretty good spirits and not fighting treatment too much. Baby has a back fracture and is fighting treatment all the way--not responding well at all. But what I am posting about is a curious habit Dragon has.

After she eats she will stick her tongue out and fold it over her mouth touching her chin. Her mouth is usually shut like she is biting her tongue. I have touched it and sprayed with water (just incase she is thirsty or hot) but she will only put it back in when she is ready. Also it appears thick too me. The vet has never mentioned anything about her tongue though when he examined her. Just wondering if this might be indicating something is wrong. I do not recall coming across such behavior or maybe sympton in my reading. Wondering if anyone has experienced this behavior.

Marie

[Dominick]

Marie-

That is indeed strange behavior and could be neurological.

PLEASE post to the AIML!

Regards,
Dominick

[Marie]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if that was something that should be posted there.

Marie

[Patrick Kubeja]

Hey Marie

Dominick is right! Post it there (AIML) there is more people that can help you there it is what they deal with all day. Plus I read there as well and never hard of something like that happening before. But they could have an answer for you. Sorry to here about Baby though I hate it when they fight when all you’re trying to do is make them better. Hope every thing gets better and keep us informed.

[Patrick Kubeja]

Hey Marie

Did you find anything out at the AIML on your guy?

[Marie]

Not really, but I am suspecting that during her last season I did not supplement her with enough calcium and she may have had some neurological damage. I have been watching how she eats and notice that she has to eat from the side of her mouth and that at times she has trouble controlling her tongue. She has to stop before eating more--the tongue sticking out. I had assumed that she did not gain all her weight back because of the spay. She seems to be eating slightly more since I have stopped chopping even her greens in tiny pieces and making sure the food is in a pile instead of spread out in the dish. Maybe if she recovers from this kidney problem she will be able to gain some weight.

Thanks
Marie

[Marie]

I didn't proofread the last post. It is supposed to be started (not stopped) chopping...

[Dominick]

Hi Marie-

Try supplementing with B-complex vitamins. It has been shown to inprove the neurological health of iguanas, especially ones stricken with MBD.