Popeye needs to lose weight!

[OhNoChloroformx]

Hey all, I just took in a rescue this afternoon named Popeye, and my herp expert says he's loaded with problems: calcium deficiencies, roundworms, not to mention the fact he's been kept in a 30 gallon tank in an elderly couple's garage all his life! They didn't know how old he was or what his sex was (and neither do we, under all this flab!) So aside from socializing him and loading up on his vitamins and calcium, he really needs to lose some weight...!


I'm starting him on a veggie-heavy diet now with plenty of juicy fruits to hydrate, and I'm wondering for his size would it be okay to cut his cricket supply to only a few a day? Can he use his (ample) fat deposits? Also, can anyone recommend specific veggies that act as good ruffage so he can poop regularly? Broccoli seemed to work for Bentley but Popeye's not so keen on it...


It was funny, I brought Popeye and Bentley in to the vet's office in separate shoeboxes, and they weighed them both... Bentley is a beautiful healthy 378 grams while Popeye hit somewhere around 550?! All that weight's gotta be hard on his poor little bones And then Bentley proceeded to fully black beard and head bob and try his hardest to escape my clutches and accost Popeye! :lol: hahaha

 

[DistDrag]

Did your vet say he was overweight? How long is he? If he's 20" long 550gr isn't so bad.

 

[OhNoChloroformx]

Bentley is 20" long and my herp lady says he's absolutely perfect, no excess fat or problems. I haven't gotten the tape measure out for Popeye yet but I definitely know he's a couple inches shy of his new brother and looks like he could eat him no problem! Its also really sad to try and watch him climb up his new branch, he struggles to lift himself up and I can plainly see it takes a toll on his poor bones. The end of his tail is really thin and brittle and I can tell just by looking at his legs that he's got precious little bone mass.



Not only this but his midsection HUGE, I can feel his insides and everythings jumbled and crowded by all the fat. :?

 

[LQDragons]

could you post a picture, cause 550g really doesn't sound that heavy for an adult that's loaded with round worms
from 1 rescuer to another , good job, just be careful as it can be addicting

 

[Elora]

he may be having problems moving due to the other health issues.