Kidney Problems Are Curable!

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Posted by Carolyn on February 19, 2000 at 22:43:13:

In Reply to: ANYONE-Kidney problems....... posted by Jeff-NIAD of Florida on February 19, 2000 at 11:03:33:

Hi Jeff:

Bon is absolutely correct. Kidney problems are treatable! How treatable depends alot on how far into it the ig is, and how much effort the owner is willing to put into the ig's treatment. How do I know? I have a rescue iguana named Zilla who is also a survivor of severe kidney disease, just like Bon's iZ. We were very lucky because we have a great iguana vet, who diagnosed it within 48 hours of obvious onset. This owner is going to have to be completely retrained for starters, as the diet she has fed, has led directly to the kidney problems. You are in NIAD, so you know what to tell her on this. She is also going to have to work very hard to get this iguana better. If she doesn't put forth the effort, Bon is right-she may as well save the animal from suffering, and have it euthenized.

She has to get alot of fluid into this iguana. I used water, others use pedialyte or a mix thereof. I am talking about 25 cc's per day. This helps to flush out the kidneys. The humidity has to be increased, with daily 1/2 hour minimum soaks. Use a humidifier in the enclosure, add a pool (cat pans are fine-water filled of course), use a bubbler bowl to get them interested in drinking, etc. Get the humidity up any way she can! Tell her not use citrus juice as the acidity is too high for iguanas. And get this animal to a qualified herp vet.

As for cwatbay, I believe you are dead wrong. Zilla survived kidney disease, as did Bon's iZ, and that proves that it is not necesarily always fatal, as it was in your case. There is hope, but the bottom line will be the amount of effort that the owner is willing to put into it. Best of luck, Jeff.

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polite disagreement ... iZ's mom 02/20/00 (0)

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: Hi Jeff: : Bon is absolutely correct. Kidney problems are treatable! How treatable depends alot on how far into it the ig is, and how much effort the owner is willing to put into the ig's treatment. How do I know? I have a rescue iguana named Zilla who is also a survivor of severe kidney disease, just like Bon's iZ. We were very lucky because we have a great iguana vet, who diagnosed it within 48 hours of obvious onset. This owner is going to have to be completely retrained for starters, as the diet she has fed, has led directly to the kidney problems. You are in NIAD, so you know what to tell her on this. She is also going to have to work very hard to get this iguana better. If she doesn't put forth the effort, Bon is right-she may as well save the animal from suffering, and have it euthenized. : She has to get alot of fluid into this iguana. I used water, others use pedialyte or a mix thereof. I am talking about 25 cc's per day. This helps to flush out the kidneys. The humidity has to be increased, with daily 1/2 hour minimum soaks. Use a humidifier in the enclosure, add a pool (cat pans are fine-water filled of course), use a bubbler bowl to get them interested in drinking, etc. Get the humidity up any way she can! Tell her not use citrus juice as the acidity is too high for iguanas. And get this animal to a qualified herp vet. : As for cwatbay, I believe you are dead wrong. Zilla survived kidney disease, as did Bon's iZ, and that proves that it is not necesarily always fatal, as it was in your case. There is hope, but the bottom line will be the amount of effort that the owner is willing to put into it. Best of luck, Jeff.

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