05/26/2025
Juniper Update: She is still doing pretty well, though I am now pretty certain she has a respiratory infection based on some of the open mouth breathing behavior she has been exhibiting and the noises that are made in doing so. Hoping to do a f***l test on Thursday. She is getting more strength and walking a little easier than she was, but still stumbles after a few steps and loses balance easy. But we are still taking it day by day.
Recap for those who may have missed: Last Monday, I was called out for a reptile relocation—an abandoned Argentine black and white tegu hiding in someone’s firewood pile just a few blocks from my house.
My heart broke the moment I saw her. She was so skinny, covered in stuck shed, severely dehydrated, and could barely walk. I honestly wasn’t sure she’d make it through the night… but I had to try.
I set her up in a calm, warm hospital tote. She didn’t eat the first night, but she did drink a little water. I checked all the local lost pet groups—no one’s missing a tegu. In a tiny one-stoplight town, I can only assume she was dumped.
Tuesday, I made the two-hour drive to my reptile vet. To my surprise, he said she looked better than he expected. After everything she’s been through—storms, predators, and total neglect—she’s still fighting.
She’s malnourished, dehydrated, and weak, but with fluids, vitamins, and the right care, we’re hoping she can recover. Since then, she’s started eating (eggs, chicken, gut-loaded insects) and is moving a little better each day.
We’ll run a f***l this week to check for parasites before deciding on next steps—but for now, she’s safe.
It absolutely crushes me that someone could abandon an animal like this. Tegus are smart, social, and incredibly affectionate—and even after all she’s endured, she still enjoys being around people. Animals never cease to amaze me.
