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Posted by T and Q on March 22, 2000 at 14:02:25:

In Reply to: to T + Q ... posted by iZ's mom on March 22, 2000 at 11:32:25:

I wish I had a link to Mader for you, but I don't.
I've never worked with him directly. I believe
he is available for consult to ig vets nationwide.
My vet, luckily, knows Mader personally as well,
which gives her access. Of course, Dr. Frye
knows Mader, too. I think Frye is one of Mader's
mentors.

Q isn't scheduled for a vet visit at this time,
but next time he goes in I'll ask about an address.
After a year and a half, my vet rarely feels the
need to see Q.

Q's kidney problems stem from my following bad
advice from iguana books, reptile vets and pet
store personnel. Six years ago, feeding an iguana
5 percent animal protein was still recommended.
Compounding the problem is the fact that I live
in dry, dry Colorado, and I've always had problems
keeping his enclosure humid enough. Since Q
seemed to thrive, I never revisited our diet and
setup until he got sick in Nov. '98. (Though
several vets -- including the now-famous Emergency
Vets clinic -- approved of my care over the years.
Go figure!)

Since then Q has had two surgeries (kidney biopsy
and tail amputation), half a dozen x-rays, and
about a dozen blood tests. He's been on about six
different meds at various times; he's on forced
liquids daily and must be force-fed through the
winter (for Q, breeding season and kidney damage
just don't mix).

A few weeks ago, Q started exhibiting signs of
MBD. We've been having bone density problems
since this all began, and Q broke a back leg
last winter. Our setup is correct, but Q's
damaged kidneys are interfering with proper
calcium metabolism. He's looking better, but I
strongly suspect he has a broken front leg. I've
called the vet, who told me "you know what to do"
so I'm handling it myself. The leg is well
calloused and seems to be improving.

Having an iguana with fragile and/or broken bones
is tough. If he struggles during treatment, I worry
he'll hurt himself. Luckily, he's pretty used to
the routine and doesn't put up too much fuss. Q
doesn't love the bath, but must soak for half an
hour daily. To keep him from scrambling out and
plopping onto the bathroom floor, someone must
sit with him at all times. Maybe the wash cloth
trick will help. I'll let you know!

It's been great comparing notes with another Dr.
Ig-Mom. When Q was first diagnosed, I couldn't
find anyone who could give me firsthand advice
on how to work with kidney damage. Now, I lurk
this forum and the IML hoping to prevent others
from having to go through this stuff without
someone to talk to.

Well, back to work!

T&Q

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: I wish I had a link to Mader for you, but I don't. : I've never worked with him directly. I believe : he is available for consult to ig vets nationwide. : My vet, luckily, knows Mader personally as well, : which gives her access. Of course, Dr. Frye : knows Mader, too. I think Frye is one of Mader's : mentors. : Q isn't scheduled for a vet visit at this time, : but next time he goes in I'll ask about an address. : After a year and a half, my vet rarely feels the : need to see Q. : Q's kidney problems stem from my following bad : advice from iguana books, reptile vets and pet : store personnel. Six years ago, feeding an iguana : 5 percent animal protein was still recommended. : Compounding the problem is the fact that I live : in dry, dry Colorado, and I've always had problems : keeping his enclosure humid enough. Since Q : seemed to thrive, I never revisited our diet and : setup until he got sick in Nov. '98. (Though : several vets -- including the now-famous Emergency : Vets clinic -- approved of my care over the years. : Go figure!) : Since then Q has had two surgeries (kidney biopsy : and tail amputation), half a dozen x-rays, and : about a dozen blood tests. He's been on about six : different meds at various times; he's on forced : liquids daily and must be force-fed through the : winter (for Q, breeding season and kidney damage : just don't mix). : A few weeks ago, Q started exhibiting signs of : MBD. We've been having bone density problems : since this all began, and Q broke a back leg : last winter. Our setup is correct, but Q's : damaged kidneys are interfering with proper : calcium metabolism. He's looking better, but I : strongly suspect he has a broken front leg. I've : called the vet, who told me "you know what to do" : so I'm handling it myself. The leg is well : calloused and seems to be improving. : Having an iguana with fragile and/or broken bones : is tough. If he struggles during treatment, I worry : he'll hurt himself. Luckily, he's pretty used to : the routine and doesn't put up too much fuss. Q : doesn't love the bath, but must soak for half an : hour daily. To keep him from scrambling out and : plopping onto the bathroom floor, someone must : sit with him at all times. Maybe the wash cloth : trick will help. I'll let you know! : It's been great comparing notes with another Dr. : Ig-Mom. When Q was first diagnosed, I couldn't : find anyone who could give me firsthand advice : on how to work with kidney damage. Now, I lurk : this forum and the IML hoping to prevent others : from having to go through this stuff without : someone to talk to. : Well, back to work! : T&Q : :

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