Re: Two more cents, (guess this makes .04)

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Posted by T and Q on February 02, 2000 at 09:46:00:

In Reply to: Very valid points posted by Iguanamomma on February 01, 2000 at 22:19:29:

I do like iZ's Mom's product better. I also liked
the way she used it: as a short-term way to solve
a problem. I still see high phosphorus in this
product, but phosphorus does seem to go hand in
hand with protein. While there are fewer
supplements in here, there are still a few that
give me pause and some I'm not familiar with.
Bromelain? Papain? I'm not sure what our igs'
guts would do with these digestive enzymes. And
fiber. Do our igs need more than their veggie
diets already give them? Can they get too much?

Your igs don't like alfalfa (mine either; can't
blame 'em) or kidney beans (which my Q used to
love). Have you tried other types of beans? How
about slicing them instead of mashing them? Also,
how about peas? That's one of the foods I
currently use with my Q to provide protein.

(But, I'm currently force-feeding. To make
a long story short, since his kidney problems
began Q absolutely, positively refuses to eat
during breeding season. If I don't feed him, he
drops major weight. Otherwise, the little monster
is doing well. Go figure.)

Here's my last point, and I'm a little afraid to
make it because it puts me in a position of
questioning a vet (and sounding like a nut). Why
do we, our vets, respected authors, and lots of
other experienced, smart folks think we need to
make a point of increasing protein?

We don't know exactly what igs eat in the wild,
but I'm not sure that their natural diet is all
that high in protein. After all, don't they
mainly eat leaves? Are we projecting our protein
needs and the needs of our more traditional pets
(cats and dogs) onto our iguanas? Are we still
being influenced by the old "feed 10 percent
animal protein" fallacy, but just looking for a
"safer" protein source? Do we erroneously equate
good muscle tone with good health in a species
that tends toward a more lean body style?

I'd better quit since I'm asking questions to
which I don't have answers.

Here's my recommendation, such as it is: Take
a good look at your iguanas and ask yourself "Do
*I* think they need more protein?" If the answer
is "yes," then try to make un-supplemented foods
work (peas, beans). If your igs won't cooperate,
give the health food store product a try, in small
amounts, for a while. Then, after your next vet
visit, re-evaluate your use of the product.

OK, that's enough from me. I'm not an igs-pert,
and I'm uncomfortable playing one on the Forum!

Let us know what you decide!

T & Q

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: I do like iZ's Mom's product better. I also liked : the way she used it: as a short-term way to solve : a problem. I still see high phosphorus in this : product, but phosphorus does seem to go hand in : hand with protein. While there are fewer : supplements in here, there are still a few that : give me pause and some I'm not familiar with. : Bromelain? Papain? I'm not sure what our igs' : guts would do with these digestive enzymes. And : fiber. Do our igs need more than their veggie : diets already give them? Can they get too much? : Your igs don't like alfalfa (mine either; can't : blame 'em) or kidney beans (which my Q used to : love). Have you tried other types of beans? How : about slicing them instead of mashing them? Also, : how about peas? That's one of the foods I : currently use with my Q to provide protein. : (But, I'm currently force-feeding. To make : a long story short, since his kidney problems : began Q absolutely, positively refuses to eat : during breeding season. If I don't feed him, he : drops major weight. Otherwise, the little monster : is doing well. Go figure.) : Here's my last point, and I'm a little afraid to : make it because it puts me in a position of : questioning a vet (and sounding like a nut). Why : do we, our vets, respected authors, and lots of : other experienced, smart folks think we need to : make a point of increasing protein? : We don't know exactly what igs eat in the wild, : but I'm not sure that their natural diet is all : that high in protein. After all, don't they : mainly eat leaves? Are we projecting our protein : needs and the needs of our more traditional pets : (cats and dogs) onto our iguanas? Are we still : being influenced by the old "feed 10 percent : animal protein" fallacy, but just looking for a : "safer" protein source? Do we erroneously equate : good muscle tone with good health in a species : that tends toward a more lean body style? : I'd better quit since I'm asking questions to : which I don't have answers. : Here's my recommendation, such as it is: Take : a good look at your iguanas and ask yourself "Do : *I* think they need more protein?" If the answer : is "yes," then try to make un-supplemented foods : work (peas, beans). If your igs won't cooperate, : give the health food store product a try, in small : amounts, for a while. Then, after your next vet : visit, re-evaluate your use of the product. : OK, that's enough from me. I'm not an igs-pert, : and I'm uncomfortable playing one on the Forum! : Let us know what you decide! : T & Q

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