Re: Iguana-twitching [Warning: long and tedious, but helpful]

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Posted by Jamie/JBug on September 03, 1999 at 18:02:41:

In Reply to: Iguana-twitching posted by Rick on September 03, 1999 at 17:29:08:

Hi, Rick,

Glad to hear Lewis is doing better. Thought I'd offer a couple things:

UV is a tricky thing. You said you thought the bulb might not be working? I have a couple questions about that. What kind of bulb was it? Bear in mind that incandescent (screw-in) bulbs don't emit UV in what I feel to be safe amounts. Most emit none, 1 brand does not strike me as either safe or reasearched enough. Also, just because a bulb says it full spectrum, doesn't mean it is. UVB is most reliably found in florescent bulbs that specifically say it contains UVB. UVA is important but not what an iguana needs to absorb calcium. My recommendation for uv bulbs is the ReptiSun 5.0, or the IguanaLight 5.0. 9They are the same bulbs, just packaged differently to catch different customers), as well as access to natual, unfiltered (through a window doesn't count) sunlight. Also, said bulbs should be replaced every 6-9 months, because they lose the UVB rays over time.

As for the diet, I have to state my opinion here: FRESH IS BEST! Commercial foods haven't been scientifically researched enough to be trustworthy, IMO. Fresh is a better choice, anytime. If you don't want to make fresh food everyday, make a large batch and freeze it, thawing at room temperature as needed. To replace the nutrients lost by freezing, sprinkle lightly with Brewers Yeast before serving. Here's some ideas for good foods for your iguana (My recommendations and what works wel for *ME*):

Greens: approximately 60% of total diet:
mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, dandelion greens (and flowers), endive, escarole, mustard spinach, if you can find it (No, this isn't mustard greens, and it's not regular spinach.), kohlrabi greens, and rapini. (also known as rape, brocolli leaf, raab, etc)

other veggies: about 30% of total diet:
butternut squash, spaghetti squash, kaboucha squash, yucca root, parsnips, string beans

plant proteins, breads and grains: less than 5% of total diet: Whole wheat bread, cooked, cooled pastas, cooled, cooked brown or basmati rice, cooled, cooked cream of wheat

Fruits: less than 5% of total diet: Papaya, mango, dried, soaked figs (look for organically dried), raspberries, blackberries, occasionally melon (for hydration)

I myself use the last two groups as treats, hand feeding food, bonding foods, and training. They get the greens and other veggies everyday, and the last two groups occasionally through out the week. That's just how I like to do it.

If your iguana does have the beginnnings of MBD, which it sounds like to me, I would also recommend giving her a calcium suppliment. It doesn't sound to me (again, just my opinion) that she's far enough gone to need calcium injections. I recommend a daily dosage of calcium glubionate syrup. It's one of the most absorbable forms of calcium suppliment, and it tastes agreeable to the iguanas. You can find calcium glubionate in pharmacies as NeoCalglucen. It's most commonly used by women with osteoperosis. I suggest you get a needless syrenge and give her about 1cc a day of the syrup for a week or two, and see how she's doing. I also think it would be a very good idea to get her to an experienced reptile vet *very soon* and have a blood panel done to determine exactly how low her calcium blood level really is. Good luck! Feel free to email me if you have any questions!
Best,
Jamie/JBug

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: Hi, Rick, : Glad to hear Lewis is doing better. Thought I'd offer a couple things: : UV is a tricky thing. You said you thought the bulb might not be working? I have a couple questions about that. What kind of bulb was it? Bear in mind that incandescent (screw-in) bulbs don't emit UV in what I feel to be safe amounts. Most emit none, 1 brand does not strike me as either safe or reasearched enough. Also, just because a bulb says it full spectrum, doesn't mean it is. UVB is most reliably found in florescent bulbs that specifically say it contains UVB. UVA is important but not what an iguana needs to absorb calcium. My recommendation for uv bulbs is the ReptiSun 5.0, or the IguanaLight 5.0. 9They are the same bulbs, just packaged differently to catch different customers), as well as access to natual, unfiltered (through a window doesn't count) sunlight. Also, said bulbs should be replaced every 6-9 months, because they lose the UVB rays over time. : As for the diet, I have to state my opinion here: FRESH IS BEST! Commercial foods haven't been scientifically researched enough to be trustworthy, IMO. Fresh is a better choice, anytime. If you don't want to make fresh food everyday, make a large batch and freeze it, thawing at room temperature as needed. To replace the nutrients lost by freezing, sprinkle lightly with Brewers Yeast before serving. Here's some ideas for good foods for your iguana (My recommendations and what works wel for *ME*): : Greens: approximately 60% of total diet: : mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, dandelion greens (and flowers), endive, escarole, mustard spinach, if you can find it (No, this isn't mustard greens, and it's not regular spinach.), kohlrabi greens, and rapini. (also known as rape, brocolli leaf, raab, etc) : other veggies: about 30% of total diet: : butternut squash, spaghetti squash, kaboucha squash, yucca root, parsnips, string beans : plant proteins, breads and grains: less than 5% of total diet: Whole wheat bread, cooked, cooled pastas, cooled, cooked brown or basmati rice, cooled, cooked cream of wheat : Fruits: less than 5% of total diet: Papaya, mango, dried, soaked figs (look for organically dried), raspberries, blackberries, occasionally melon (for hydration) : I myself use the last two groups as treats, hand feeding food, bonding foods, and training. They get the greens and other veggies everyday, and the last two groups occasionally through out the week. That's just how I like to do it. : If your iguana does have the beginnnings of MBD, which it sounds like to me, I would also recommend giving her a calcium suppliment. It doesn't sound to me (again, just my opinion) that she's far enough gone to need calcium injections. I recommend a daily dosage of calcium glubionate syrup. It's one of the most absorbable forms of calcium suppliment, and it tastes agreeable to the iguanas. You can find calcium glubionate in pharmacies as NeoCalglucen. It's most commonly used by women with osteoperosis. I suggest you get a needless syrenge and give her about 1cc a day of the syrup for a week or two, and see how she's doing. I also think it would be a very good idea to get her to an experienced reptile vet *very soon* and have a blood panel done to determine exactly how low her calcium blood level really is. Good luck! Feel free to email me if you have any questions! : Best, : Jamie/JBug

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