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Posted by BabyHerp on May 03, 2000 at 11:50:46:
In Reply to: Neutering Green Iguana...questions posted by Mike L on May 02, 2000 at 20:24:06:
Neutering igs is alot more common than anyone online hears about. Sometimes I wish I never typed about having my ig neutered last year because most people can't accept it...Ive been flamed more times than I can count because of a decision that I have NEVER regretted doing for my ig. Neutering an ig should be the LAST ALTERNATIVE short of euthansia. My igs surgeon said it was more effective on younger igs than older ones. In a few days it will be one year to the date of his surgery...the ONLY changes noted in my ig are behavioral. He's a putty-tat! He still gets his orange phase breeding colors, and will hiss occasionally especially when Im picking off retained spike shed, or pissed about something... which to me is perfectly NORMAL! but long gone are the days when he would lunge and charge and bite and terrorize! ....I guess you could say that Im the only one with enough moxie to admit that I had my ig "fixed" (even tho he doesn't got em I still do!)...Ive met others IRL that have had their igs neutered but noone else that talks about it online in my little ig world here on the net....I have been offended by many igsperts (why Im so sick of that term) who sit in judgement and condemn me for the very difficult decision I made. Of course these same people NEVER even heard of an ig that can be so aggressive....have no idea what neutering an ig entails nor knows anyone that has had it done on an ig...They react with prejudice...and that makes them dangerous to ME anyway. As far as medical problems associated with the neutering of my 6 y/o male ig...nothing yet...He has a physical next week. Will see what if anything has changed. I would guess its much akin to having a dog or man neutered...what types of medical problems would you expect with them....absolutely NONE! Biggest con: COST...its about $500.oo total to excise two little testes! OUCH!! THAT'S the ONLY THING THAT HURT!! When I think about all the people that are owners of male iguanas that are that aggressive (breeding season or not as mine was) walking around with severed fingers,torn ligaments, sutured & scarred faces, breasts, legs, ears, shoulders feet,..... etc...the cost of nuetering my ig is so insignificant! To say that my ig was anti-social (as MK constanstly said)...is a misnomer...he was NEVER antisocial...he was raised by loving ig parents...for 4 years!! Believe you me they were crushed to have to part with him. They thought as well as I that all he needed was to find a new home (away from his brother) and them....that the change would stop him...it did for about two weeks...then he started in on me! and turned my world upside down. Its a very difficult decision...and one that should not be made hastily without ALOT of forethought and research which I had done... prior to his surgery. Enough about FEO's orchidectomy, and my hurt pride...if I have any other info on ramifications of my decision I will let everyone know....even at the cost of being condemned yet AGAIN!'I think its much more important to let people know that there is a SAFE EFFECTIVE (not always desired results) alternatives to dealing with an OVERLY aggressive ig. Sorry Im so wordy here and as you can tell not very articulate...especially compared to online igsperts ...lolol which I have never professed to be (I don't even have a website! ....Im just a working girl w/ a love for reptiles sharing some of my experiences!
Now as far as weight goes and adding on bulk....best thing I can think of is just adding calories...how? imo..adding Ensure or Sustacal(just pour some over his food) or other hi caloric yet nutritional foods...I'd be more interested about this injury ...what type? was he checked out by a vet? Weight loss due to endoparasites? Last fecal float? Maybe the cold spell created an explosion of parasites? He should be eating alot more (season: spring summer) and therefore putting on more weight...winter doldrums cause them the slow down on the feeding...3 meals a day may be an option, chopped smaller foods ...Add some Brewer's yeast or Vitamin B complex (appetite stimulant) Whatever changes you do diet wise...make sure they are gradual and a little over a short period of time. Use the USDA nutrient database to choose plant foods that are hi calorie/energy. I'd watch the legumes (I know Im always putting down legumes!) but there are some fatty ones...the added protein is ok for babies/juvies...but not so if he's an adult. MK's iguana salad is something like 20% protein...which I feel is way too much! Iguanas in the wild consume something like only 5% of protein daily....and we wonder why our igs STILL come down with kidney disease! Yeah I know....I hear it all the time..."their previous owners let them eat cheese!, or fed em dog food!" I don't know that we are doing any better when most igsperts out there recommend...by giving em high plant protein foods. PROTEIN is PROTEIN! Long and lean is what you want your ig to be...not thin, emaciated and definately NOT fat (which according to one igspert iguanas can never be...including 20 lb Sumo!) Ha! Be careful what your read! Even from me...RESEARCH! Do what works for YOU & your ig..
Gina....this working girl is tired of typiin... Im off to bed!NiteNite!
