A few cool pictures / stories attached.

[guidofatherof5]

King Chomper.

[infernalis]

What can I say, He is my "Tank" without a shell

[tress29]

What can I say, He is my "Tank" without a shell

I don't know if I've ever read it, but how old is Chomper? He's definitely a big guy!

[infernalis]

I don't know if I've ever read it, but how old is Chomper? He's definitely a big guy!

He's four and a half years old. He weighs as much as a small cocker spaniel and eats a ton of food.

[guidofatherof5]

He's four and a half years old. He weighs as much as a small cocker spaniel and eats a ton of food.

and gives all of us much joy.

[infernalis]

We only do whole turkey twice a year, and I can't bring myself to eat the "Giblets"
(organs in a bag inside the bird) so I cut them up and give them to Chomper.

This looks yummy! (NOT)

http://www.mypetforums.com/giblet/giblets.jpg

CHOMP!!

http://www.mypetforums.com/giblet/giblet2.jpg

Only one piece left!

http://www.mypetforums.com/giblet/giblet3.jpg

He grabs on

http://www.mypetforums.com/giblet/giblet1.jpg

Tosses it into the air, Gulp! (I couldn't have planned that shot if I tried)

http://www.mypetforums.com/giblet/giblet.jpg

Such a proud man he is...

http://www.mypetforums.com/giblet/chomp.jpg

Thanks for looking.

[EasternGirl]

Great shots! I think Chomper is almost as big as I am!

[guidofatherof5]

Awesome.
I think Chomper and my Tank would make a good team.
Maybe get their own reality show.

[ConcinusMan]

Man, he's awesome. I always wanted a pet "dinosaur" lol.

[katach]

I love that food in mid air shot! He is amazing! He's on my list of pets to meet.

[infernalis]

So I'm building a new and better cage for "King Chomper".. I got the floor done tonight.

The bottom is lined with aluminum sheets to keep his moist dirt from growing mold on the wood, and to keep his sharp claws from damaging it.

The framing is made from pressure treated 2x6 outdoor lumber, The sheet of wood under the metal is 3/4 inch sub flooring, so this is brutally strong, resistant to rot, and extremely heavy.

Will be framing up walls and hopefully the top tomorrow, this thing is 8 feet long and 4 feet wide.

http://www.rockyroost.us/Chomptober/floor.jpg

[EasternGirl]

Very cool...

[ConcinusMan]

Aluminum sheets? Looks more like stolen signs.:rolleyes: Wayne, what have you been up to?:p

[infernalis]

You know what we call that at my sign shop Richard?? Scrap metal.

http://www.rockyroost.us/SS/vinyl.jpg

http://www.rockyroost.us/SS/cats.jpg

http://www.rockyroost.us/GS.gif

[ConcinusMan]

Wow. You're good. Didn't see that coming.:p

So.... what's taking so long for you to start offering "garter snake crossing" signs for sale?:D I'd buy that.

[infernalis]

Some of my proudest work... Made $200 each on these bad boys.

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/monterey.jpg

And would you believe a neighbour called the police and accused me of stealing this one?? The cop was laughing when he left, especially when I asked him how many mousing zones he encountered out on patrol..

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/cain/mz.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

That's hilarious.

[EasternGirl]

Love it! Yes...I want a garter snake crossing sign.

[ConcinusMan]

The market has spoken. Get to work.:D

[infernalis]

Chomper had a vet appointment today, and I am very happy.. Chomper has his Baytril and had a full physical. He wandered into our cat litter box and got himself a case of R.I.

The doctor reported that he is STRONG, Perfect weight (11 pounds) and otherwise healthy with the exception of his RI. Chomper took a dump just before we left, so I (Yuk) bagged up the turd and took it with us.

He has a perfect heart rhythm, he has no other issues aside from his nasty cold.

Upon arrival, they already had the thermostat jacked up in the exam room and did not leave us waiting in the reception area at all, right through the front door and on the table.

Everyone there just loved him, they even took pictures too.

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/vet/1.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/vet/2.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/vet/3.jpg

At this point, Mr. frisky decided he had anough poking and prodding for a day and started to try and leave...

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/vet/4.jpg

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/vet/6.jpg

And the Baytril Chomper needs for a speedy recovery...

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/vet/5.jpg

[snakehill]

Yeah Chomper!! Get well soon buddy!!! :)

[ConcinusMan]

Did they think it was bad enough to warrant Baytril injection? From what I've heard about it, I wouldn't do it. Oral suspension is all it took to get rid of Big Bertha's R.I. and it was pretty bad. She was gasping and all clogged up with mucus. After about 20 days of daily oral doses she was all better.:)

[infernalis]

When did I ever imply injection?? (Oh sorry, the vial on the desk implies injections)

I lace his food with it. I have syringes that the doc sent me home with, I inject the Baytril into his shrimp just before I feed it to him.

Baytril is very hard on the kidneys when injected.

[guidofatherof5]

Hello Chomper, this is Tank.
I saw you weren't feeling well and just wanted to say I hope you get better real soon.
Looks like your Mom and Dad love you very much.
My Dad (Steve) takes good care of me and takes me to a good Vet. also.
Hang in there.

[infernalis]

Thanks Tank man, you rule...... (and your dad is fairly cool too)

Regards, Chomper

[EasternGirl]

Glad to hear that he is doing well with the exception of his cold. Great pics!

[infernalis]

Chomper and his first night exploring the new enclosure...

http://www.rockyroost.us/testD/bask1.jpg

http://www.rockyroost.us/testD/chomp1.jpg

He ate a whole dozen night crawlers..

http://www.rockyroost.us/testD/wrm.jpg

and his favourite cage accessory, a scrap of 6" PVC pipe.

http://www.rockyroost.us/testD/pipe.jpg

http://www.rockyroost.us/testD/pillow.jpg

http://www.rockyroost.us/testD/peekin.jpg

[EasternGirl]

Oh...I am so happy he is well! It looks like he really likes his new home! It is awesome Wayne. I was actually laughing out loud at the cute pics of him playing on/in the PVC pipe...

[infernalis]

Thanks Marnie. He does like his new house.

[EasternGirl]

My son liked the pics too :).

[guidofatherof5]

Hello Chomper it's Tank,

That is a cool home your dad built you. Looks like it would be fun to dig in. I like to dig but my dad doesn't let me play in the dirt.
He scrubs me with a toothbrush and keep me very clean. I like it except when it tickles.
Get well soon buddy.
Have a good time in your new home.

Sincerely, your friend.
TANK.

[infernalis]

Dear Tank.. Tell your dad all kids need to play in the dirt, Psst, when he's asleep brush his teeth with that same brush.

Your buddy Chomper.

[infernalis]

This morning Chomper's condition took a huge dive... So we got him in for an emergency vet visit with a real reptile vet, we had to drive 3 times as far, but she knew what she was doing. No disrespect to the last vet, but Chomper was his first ever monitor lizard.

The vet we saw today had 2 Sav appointments back to back, and she does lectures for Cornell, has a zoology degree in herp physiology and quite honestly I was impressed.

Chomper was less than thrilled to be there..

http://www.storeria.com/vet2/blankie.jpg

She gave him an exam and took some pictures for her herp lectures that she does..

http://www.storeria.com/vet2/vet.jpg

Said he was severely dehydrated from refusing to drink, so she gave him 180cc of "reptile ringers" (Ringers lactate for reptiles) That's 3 of those huge syringes filled up..

http://www.storeria.com/vet2/ringers.jpg

Dorothy comforting Chomper after his "shots"

http://www.storeria.com/vet2/lady.jpg

Then Chomper wanted to get down, Ironically, the vet had asked us if Chomper has been having "normal" bowel movements.. He was happy to oblige her.

http://www.storeria.com/vet2/turd.jpg

She then had Ceftazidime couriered in from the local hospital while we waited.. Then proceeded to give him another shot.

She sent us home with 7 more syringes pre loaded with his new more aggressive antibiotics, and told us to stop giving Baytril.

Also sent us home with 4 cans of special food that is to help him build up nutrients and inner body moisture.

Now here is the part that blew me away.. we were in that office for HOURS, he had shots, was given a prescription, 4 cans of food, and the total vet bill was $150.00, that's it. I was expecting 3 times that, especially when they had to have a doctor bring in meds from the local human hospital.

[guidofatherof5]

Prayer coming your way for Chomper.
Please keep us posted.
Did she take a close look at the fecal since a fresh sample was so available?

[infernalis]

Prayer coming your way for Chomper.
Please keep us posted.
Did she take a close look at the fecal since a fresh sample was so available?

Yes, but pinpointing the exact bacteria would require a lab workup. She is confident that this new plan will work.

check this out, and we only just got back from the vet! this morning he was a lethargic, lifeless lump, after his "reptile ringers" were absorbed, he came right back!

This is the "recovery chow" the vet sold us, it was $7 for 4 cans of it. (5 1/2 oz each can) I put a half dozen jumbo shrimp in there to bulk it up.

He even tried to eat the spoon! I couldn't help but giggle like a little girl seeing him tear into this slop.. enjoy.

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food1.jpg

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food2.jpg

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food3.jpg

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food4.jpg

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food5.jpg

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food6.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Name that last photo "Chomper's Happy Face"

[chris-uk]

Hoping that vet visit has turned him around. Can't believe how much it didn't cost you. He certainly looks content.

[EasternGirl]

Laughed out loud at the pics of Chomps eating his slop! Awesome! Btw...Julian would love to live in Chomps' new home and play in the dirt all the time too...but his mother will not let him....mean mom!!! So glad the Chomps is feeling better today!

[RedSidedSPR]

Those pictures are priceless!!!

Glad he's OK!!

[PINJOHN]

http://www.storeria.com/eats/food6.jpg

what ?.... stew ?.......me? no honest i haven't laid eyes on any stew........jeez why do they always blame me?

we will all be watching carefully hoping to hear good news sooner rather than later keep, us informed Wayne

[snakehill]

Keep on "chomping" Chomper!!!! :)