Tegu

Obesity / fatty liver

SignsBelly drags on the floor, thick tail base, inactivity, reduced appetite, yellowish urates

PreventionLimit mice, eggs and fatty meat; increase insects, vegetables and fruit. Record weight once a month

Gout

SignsSwollen painful joints, limping, white nodules in the mouth, poor appetite, drinking less

PreventionAvoid overfeeding meat and organ meat; keep water available at all times. Prevent dehydration and low temperatures

Metabolic bone disease

SignsSoft or deformed jaw, trembling limbs, abnormal gait, curved spine, fractures easily

PreventionReplace the UVB lamp every six months. Dust food with calcium and give vitamin D3 in moderation

Weakness during brumation

SignsLoses 10–20% or more of body weight during brumation, wrinkled skin, sunken eyes, fails to wake

PreventionHave a checkup and deworming before brumation; weigh gently once a month and see the vet if the loss is excessive

Parasites

SignsDiarrhea, bloody stool, mucus in stool, weight loss, fluctuating appetite, worms in stool

PreventionFecal exam on arrival and once a year. Keep the enclosure clean and never feed wild-caught insects

Retained shed / dermatitis

SignsOld skin stuck on toes or tail tip and constricting, red, raw or blistered skin

PreventionMaintain 60–80% humidity and a water area. Provide a moist hide; keep the substrate from drying out or becoming soiled

Claw damage / bleeding

PreventionUse flooring that will not snag claws (no mesh or carpet). Provide rocks and driftwood so claws wear down naturally

First aidPress with clean gauze for 5 minutes. If bleeding continues or the claw was torn out at the root, see the vet the same day

Tail injury / tail loss

PreventionNever grab or lift by the tail. Do not catch the tail in doors or lids. Do not house with other animals

First aidPress the wound with gauze and keep it clean. Heavy bleeding or visible bone: see the vet the same day

Burns

PreventionPosition heaters and lamps out of direct reach. Use protective covers and a thermostat

First aidCool the area with room-temperature water; do not apply ointment. Blisters or peeling skin: see the vet the same day

Falls / fractures

PreventionDo not let it roam freely on high surfaces or sofas. Support the underside of the body with both hands when holding

First aidDo not move it; place it in a box and keep it still. Deformed or immobile limbs: see the vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteHand to mouth after touching feces or skin. Enclosure water and substrate

PreventionWash hands with soap after contact. Do not wash equipment in the kitchen. Infants and the elderly should avoid contact

Bite wound infection

RouteBites and claw lacerations

PreventionRinse wounds under running water and disinfect. Deep wounds or swelling: see a doctor for antibiotics

Tick- and mite-borne disease

RouteExternal parasitic mites or ticks biting people

PreventionQuarantine new animals and remove mites. Disinfect the enclosure regularly with boiling water

Cryptosporidium

RouteEquipment and hands contaminated with feces

PreventionUse dedicated equipment and dry thoroughly after disinfecting. Confirm infection with a fecal exam

Food

• Juveniles daily, adults 2–3 times a week; omnivorous: meat, insects, vegetables, fruit
• Adults: aim for about 40% vegetables and fruit, 60% animal matter
• Dust meat with calcium supplement. Whole eggs and mice only a few times a month

Water

• Keep a water container large enough to soak in; change daily
• If it is not seen drinking, supplement with misting or warm soaks

Toys & play

• Deep diggable substrate (30 cm or more)
• Large driftwood and rocks for climbing and claw wear
• Scent-based food searches to stimulate its intelligence

Nest, bed & hideout

• Large hides that fit the whole body on both the warm and cool sides
• A hide with moist sphagnum moss (for humidity and brumation)

Bedding & litter

• Moisture-holding substrate such as cypress mulch or a soil and sphagnum mix
• No dry newspaper or sand (retained shed, nasal blockage)
• Remove feces daily; replace all substrate once a month

Cage / housing material

Custom wooden enclosure with a glass front, or a dedicated room. Must be strong enough not to be chewed apart

Size & space

Adults: at least 2.4 × 1.2 m. Height 60 cm or more, substrate 30 cm deep

Layout

• Basking rock on the warm side; water container and hide on the cool side
• Lay the substrate deep enough to burrow
• UVB lamp on the same side as the basking spot, 30–40 cm away

Placement notes

• Reinforce the floor; an animal over 6 kg plus moist substrate is heavy
• Lockable door to prevent escape. Beware of overheating and direct sun near windows

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Indoor walks of 30 minutes or more daily, never unsupervised
• Outdoors only on a harness and only on warm days. Never release it
• Do not disturb during brumation; exercise only while it is awake

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureBasking 40–45°C, warm side 30°C, cool side 24–26°C, nights 22°C or above

Humidity60–80%. Dryness causes retained shed

Summer & winter

• Summer: if room temperature exceeds 30°C, ventilate or use air conditioning. Enlarge the water area
• Winter: if brumating, lower gradually to 15–18°C; if not, maintain heating

Nail trimming

Trim only the tips if overgrown. The quick is thick, so do not cut deep; if it struggles, restrain with two people or have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

During shedding, soften the skin with a warm soak (30–32°C, 15 minutes); never force off skin left on toes or tail tip

Other care

Weekly warm soak for hydration and to encourage defecation. Check tartar and the mouth monthly. Record weight monthly

Protection from predators

• Do not house with dogs or cats; tail whips and bites cause serious injuries on both sides
• Watch for crows, stray dogs and escape during outdoor walks
• Juveniles are targeted by rats and crows. Avoid outdoor housing

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows substrate, plastic and small toys. Use a separate food dish and never feed on the substrate. See the vet if it vomits or stops passing stool

Being stepped on

Easy to step on when sleeping on the floor. Tell family members during indoor walks and watch your step. If it fractures, do not move it; see the vet

Getting pinched

Tail and toes are easily caught in doors and heavy lids. Close doors slowly and use lightweight enclosure lids. Swelling or bleeding: see the vet the same day

Falls

Falls from sofas or tables cause fractures. Do not let it climb high. Support chest and belly with both hands when holding; set it down if it struggles

Escape

Strong enough to push open doors and lids. Use a lockable enclosure; a harness is mandatory outdoors. If it escapes, search warm spots and holes; never release it

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and stay calm. Do not scream
2. Push the bitten area toward the animal rather than pulling away
3. A few drops of alcohol or vinegar at the mouth may make it let go
4. Once released, cover its head with a towel and return it to the enclosure

After the release

Rinse under running water for 5 minutes or more and disinfect. Deep wounds, swelling or fever: see a doctor the same day. Check tetanus status

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight history, diet and feeding frequency, temperature and humidity, whether brumating, photos of stool. Confirm in advance which hospital treats reptiles

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check consciousness by tongue-flicking and response to stimulus
• Count breaths by chest movement. Normal is a few to 10 per minute
• Feel the heartbeat with a hand on the lower chest. Markedly slow when cold

Stopping bleeding

• Press with gauze for 5 minutes or more. Continue if it does not stop
• For claws and tail tip, press with styptic powder or cornstarch
• For heavy bleeding, transport while maintaining pressure

Transport

• Line a warmed box or carrier with a towel and keep it dark
• Use a box large enough not to bend the tail and carry without jolting