Re: Iron and zinc toxicity in Iguana, vitamin suppliments the cause?

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Posted by Tricia Power on November 14, 1999 at 22:17:41:

In Reply to: Re: Iron and zinc toxicity in Iguana, vitamin suppliments the cause? posted by Laura on November 12, 1999 at 18:49:57:

Hi!

: What were the symptoms that prompted you to have a metal toxicology test done?
: How accurate would these tests be?

He was diagnosed with a parasite infection in early sept. We originally brought him to the vet because his appetite had decreased slightly and his urates were yellow/orange, starting to thicken up and becoming grainy. We were concerned that he might have the start of a kidney problem. He didn't .. that's when we had his stool tested for parasites and discovered that he had an Entamoeba species parasite infection. None of my other reptiles have parasites, I've had them all tested either just before our discovery of Nap's infection or just after so we don't know how he got it.

Anyway, we started treating him for the parasite infection and his appetite lessened more, only eating collards, no salad at that point, and he began to have diarrhea. We put this down to the treatment with a heavy dose of flagyl. But the end of his treatment for parasites his stool did return to normal (so that probably was the parasite infection and treatment) but his appetite wasn't any better, if anything it was worse. So we took him to the vet again a week ago Friday (this would be the 4th time since everything started up). He had had blood tests before while being treated for the parasite infection and the blood tests were all normal. This time since he was still obviously having some problems we decided to do a full series of blood tests and while at the vets I mentioned that we do have a small area of chipping paint in Napoleons free roaming area and maybe we should test for lead poisoning just for the heck of it? So we did, and also ended up including a test for zinc and iron toxicity too. These are special tests. His other blood tests all came back normal. Nothing on them that would make any vet looking at the results even consider testing for lead, iron or zinc poisoning ...and in most cases of toxicity this would be the case, you simply can't tell from normal blood tests. So we had already done the special tests and just this friday we found out that Napoleon does indeed have iron and zinc toxicity. :(

These tests are extremely accurate. :(

And you could not tell by Napoleons symptoms that he had a major problem either .. his major symptoms through all of this in the past two months has been discoloured urates, lessened appetite and then diarrhea while being treated for parasites but that has resolved ... he's been active, his colour has been good ... his symptoms could have been put down for any number of common ailments that iguana's can get, and we did happen to think that all of his symptoms were related to the parasite infection and subsequent treatment.

: Thanks for the tip though I have used miner-all and I'll stroke it off my list :)
: Just in case.

Your welcome! If we find out for sure that it was the vitamin suppliments that caused this to happen to him I'll let everyone know! In the meantime I suggest that everyone be aware of what they are giving their iguanas and how much ... cause if it can happen to Napoleon it could happen to your iguana too! :(

Napoleon the iguana's page

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Re: Iatragenic? WHY?? BabyHerp 11/15/99 (0)
Thanks Tricia Laura 11/15/99 (0)

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: Hi! : : What were the symptoms that prompted you to have a metal toxicology test done? : : How accurate would these tests be? : He was diagnosed with a parasite infection in early sept. We originally brought him to the vet because his appetite had decreased slightly and his urates were yellow/orange, starting to thicken up and becoming grainy. We were concerned that he might have the start of a kidney problem. He didn't .. that's when we had his stool tested for parasites and discovered that he had an Entamoeba species parasite infection. None of my other reptiles have parasites, I've had them all tested either just before our discovery of Nap's infection or just after so we don't know how he got it. : Anyway, we started treating him for the parasite infection and his appetite lessened more, only eating collards, no salad at that point, and he began to have diarrhea. We put this down to the treatment with a heavy dose of flagyl. But the end of his treatment for parasites his stool did return to normal (so that probably was the parasite infection and treatment) but his appetite wasn't any better, if anything it was worse. So we took him to the vet again a week ago Friday (this would be the 4th time since everything started up). He had had blood tests before while being treated for the parasite infection and the blood tests were all normal. This time since he was still obviously having some problems we decided to do a full series of blood tests and while at the vets I mentioned that we do have a small area of chipping paint in Napoleons free roaming area and maybe we should test for lead poisoning just for the heck of it? So we did, and also ended up including a test for zinc and iron toxicity too. These are special tests. His other blood tests all came back normal. Nothing on them that would make any vet looking at the results even consider testing for lead, iron or zinc poisoning ...and in most cases of toxicity this would be the case, you simply can't tell from normal blood tests. So we had already done the special tests and just this friday we found out that Napoleon does indeed have iron and zinc toxicity. :( : These tests are extremely accurate. :( : And you could not tell by Napoleons symptoms that he had a major problem either .. his major symptoms through all of this in the past two months has been discoloured urates, lessened appetite and then diarrhea while being treated for parasites but that has resolved ... he's been active, his colour has been good ... his symptoms could have been put down for any number of common ailments that iguana's can get, and we did happen to think that all of his symptoms were related to the parasite infection and subsequent treatment. : : : Thanks for the tip though I have used miner-all and I'll stroke it off my list :) : : Just in case. : Your welcome! If we find out for sure that it was the vitamin suppliments that caused this to happen to him I'll let everyone know! In the meantime I suggest that everyone be aware of what they are giving their iguanas and how much ... cause if it can happen to Napoleon it could happen to your iguana too! :(

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