Iguana Arthritis Relief? - UK Press Item

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on January 01, 2000 at 19:49:48:

SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD (Glasgow, Scotland) 30 December 99 I'm Feeling Just Lizard; Reptile Smiles: Copper Cure Saves Harry
Harry the lucky lizard has been brought back from the brink of death by a little piece of copper.
The Mexican iguana was not expected to live after harsh Scottish winters left him crippled by arthritis.
But loving owner Peter Brown refused to give up on his five-year- old pet.
And after a relative reminded him that copper bracelets and bangles can help human arthritis sufferers, he set out to provide the same therapy for Harry.
Peter got in touch with Perth-based Copper Ridge, a firm which makes copper roofing but also produces collars for arthritic cats and dogs.
They designed a special harness for Harry, and the effect was miraculous.
The three-and-a-half foot iguana was cured after only two weeks, and is now back enjoying his favourite hobbies of climbing trees and chasing his owner.
Peter, 25, of Cupar, Fife, said yesterday: "Harry used to run around and chase people for fun, but he had become inactive and refused to move around his cage or climb up his tree.
"He would just lie there under the heat lamp in his cage.
"We really thought that was the end for him and didn't know what to do, but after a few days in the copper harness he was regaining his interest in life.
"Now he likes nothing better than to chase me round the living room."
Janice McCabe, who designed Harry's harness, admitted it was quite a challenge. She said: "It took me three attempts to get it right.
"We originally tried it on Harry's back legs but he could pull it off.
"But with the harness on the front, tied between his legs, his movement is not restricted and he seems happier than ever."
Some experts believe copper jewellery provides arthitis victims with a small but constant dose of the metal, which is absorbed into the blood and reduces joint inflammation.
Workers at the Arthritis Research Campaign have heard many stories of copper easing the pain of human sufferers. But a spokeswoman admitted it was the first time they had heard of it being used on a reptile.
She said: "It has always been a matter of debate whether copper bracelets merely have a psychological effect. But that would not apply to an animal."

Reptile Smiles: Copper Cure Saves Harry

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Interesting! Samcin 01/03/00 (0)

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: SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD (Glasgow, Scotland) 30 December 99 I'm Feeling Just Lizard; Reptile Smiles: Copper Cure Saves Harry : Harry the lucky lizard has been brought back from the brink of death by a little piece of copper. : The Mexican iguana was not expected to live after harsh Scottish winters left him crippled by arthritis. : But loving owner Peter Brown refused to give up on his five-year- old pet. : And after a relative reminded him that copper bracelets and bangles can help human arthritis sufferers, he set out to provide the same therapy for Harry. : Peter got in touch with Perth-based Copper Ridge, a firm which makes copper roofing but also produces collars for arthritic cats and dogs. : They designed a special harness for Harry, and the effect was miraculous. : The three-and-a-half foot iguana was cured after only two weeks, and is now back enjoying his favourite hobbies of climbing trees and chasing his owner. : Peter, 25, of Cupar, Fife, said yesterday: "Harry used to run around and chase people for fun, but he had become inactive and refused to move around his cage or climb up his tree. : "He would just lie there under the heat lamp in his cage. : "We really thought that was the end for him and didn't know what to do, but after a few days in the copper harness he was regaining his interest in life. : "Now he likes nothing better than to chase me round the living room." : Janice McCabe, who designed Harry's harness, admitted it was quite a challenge. She said: "It took me three attempts to get it right. : "We originally tried it on Harry's back legs but he could pull it off. : "But with the harness on the front, tied between his legs, his movement is not restricted and he seems happier than ever." : Some experts believe copper jewellery provides arthitis victims with a small but constant dose of the metal, which is absorbed into the blood and reduces joint inflammation. : Workers at the Arthritis Research Campaign have heard many stories of copper easing the pain of human sufferers. But a spokeswoman admitted it was the first time they had heard of it being used on a reptile. : She said: "It has always been a matter of debate whether copper bracelets merely have a psychological effect. But that would not apply to an animal." :

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