really sick Cuban knight anole

Question
hi,
came home from a 4 day camping trip to find my male anole to be thin with bones showing thru and dry looking eyes sunken, slow moving. His coloring is almost gray. I house my (2) anoles in a gigantic tank with tons of hiding spots and climbing places, plenty of fresh water and crickets all the time. we have had them for 2 years and they have always been healthy and happy. Now I dont know what to do I dont even have a vet near me that will see him. He looks awful and I feel the way he looks!!! I am going to put him in a dish of water and dribble water into his mouth and try chix baby food in the water (read that in a post from someone else). Otherwise not sure what to do...Please help if you can.
thank you,
Ashley

Answer
Hi Ashley

That is a very short period of time for such a rapid decline in a reptile and I would guess that something had been going on with him before you left

I would like to suggest that you purchase a few items since you don't seem to be able to get him into see a vet

The first is Flukers Rept-A-Aid
You want the Carnivore/Insectivore formula
It can be found at most large chain pet stores with the other reptile supplies/vitamins etc.

The next thing that I want you to purchase is Jungle Labs Medication

This is from The Pet Smart Website

Product Description: Item: 3077190
Anti-bacterial and anti-parasite medications to keep your reptiles happy and healthy. Available in six formulas to treat ailments in a variety of reptiles and amphibians
PetSmart is the only lace that i have found this product so far
It was developed by Ron Tremper-a very well known Leopard Gecko breeder

You want to start with the anti-parasitic and the anti-bacterial formulas for lizards

Another OTC parasite med is WormGard which has basically the same ingredients as Parazap-all natural

Mix a small amount of either medication in with the mixed Rept-A-Aid and draw it up into the syringe and feed it to you male Anole
Place a drop on his snout and hopefully he will lick it off so that you will not have to try and open his mouth
Feed slowly and several times per day

You will also want to dust the female's crickets because if whatever it is-bacterial or parasitic-it has most likely been shared between the two of them

I would advise a vet visit for the best results with treating you Anole but if you can't bring him into one then these medications and the Rep-A-Aid might help him get better

There of course is no guarantee that this will work and I am not a vet and can not be responsible if your Anole does die
But since these products are available OTC -it is better than doing nothing
I am drawing from my own experiences and from friends that have used these products with ailing reptiles

I wish you the best of luck with them

Sandy aka LadyGecko