Other kidney problem contributors, in my opinion...

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Posted by T and Q on May 19, 2000 at 14:05:08:

In Reply to: Raven & others....I'm thinking aloud on the kidney thing posted by Iguanamomma on May 19, 2000 at 12:14:09:

In addition to animal protein and low-grade
infections, there are several other things I
believe can cause and/or contribute to kidney
trouble: high phosphorus diets and low humidity
environments are two of them. And Q had a little
of both of those.

The following, unfortunately, is in very non-medical
terms.

One of the functions of the kidneys is to process
and eliminate phosphorus. Damaged kidneys don't
process phosphorus well, which is why phosphorus
blockers are used and high-phosphorus foods are
avoided. Feeding a high-phosphorus diet to any
iguana, even a healthy one, can overwork the kidneys
and lead to trouble.

The kidneys also need water to help them function.
The more water, the easier it is for the kidneys
to filter toxins, etc., out of the bloodstream.

While my Q was given a weekly dose of animal protein
(crickets as a juvie and a scrambled egg as an adult),
I'm not sure that was all that contributed to his
kidney troubles. One of Q's favorite foods was
kidney beans, so they were usually included in his
salad. Also, I live in dry, dry Colorado and did
not have a humidifier that provided adequate moisture
levels. So Q probably lost moisture with every
breath he took and spent most of his life in a
state of dehydration. (Frankly, I think this may
be the case for a good many iguanas, especially
freeroamers. Let's face it, we don't live in the
rainforest.)

So, my Q got a triple whammy of things that could
hurt him (and that the &%^#! books didn't warn
against). A blood test and a GOOD herp vet earlier
in Q's life may well have staved off the worst of
his ailment.

Raven? Any of this sound familiar in Napolean's
upbringing?

T&Q

Follow Ups:

Phosphorus & kidneys from a human standpoint Iguanamomma 05/19/00 (0)
hmmm.....mabe.. raven 05/19/00 (3)
- Want some good news for a change? T and Q 05/19/00 (2)
  - Raven .....(in case you missed this hidden below) + more iZ's mom 05/19/00 (1)
    - Re: Raven .....Hip Hip Hurrrraaaayyyy,,,nm cirsisue 05/20/00 (0)

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: In addition to animal protein and low-grade : infections, there are several other things I : believe can cause and/or contribute to kidney : trouble: high phosphorus diets and low humidity : environments are two of them. And Q had a little : of both of those. : The following, unfortunately, is in very non-medical : terms. : One of the functions of the kidneys is to process : and eliminate phosphorus. Damaged kidneys don't : process phosphorus well, which is why phosphorus : blockers are used and high-phosphorus foods are : avoided. Feeding a high-phosphorus diet to any : iguana, even a healthy one, can overwork the kidneys : and lead to trouble. : The kidneys also need water to help them function. : The more water, the easier it is for the kidneys : to filter toxins, etc., out of the bloodstream. : While my Q was given a weekly dose of animal protein : (crickets as a juvie and a scrambled egg as an adult), : I'm not sure that was all that contributed to his : kidney troubles. One of Q's favorite foods was : kidney beans, so they were usually included in his : salad. Also, I live in dry, dry Colorado and did : not have a humidifier that provided adequate moisture : levels. So Q probably lost moisture with every : breath he took and spent most of his life in a : state of dehydration. (Frankly, I think this may : be the case for a good many iguanas, especially : freeroamers. Let's face it, we don't live in the : rainforest.) : So, my Q got a triple whammy of things that could : hurt him (and that the &%^#! books didn't warn : against). A blood test and a GOOD herp vet earlier : in Q's life may well have staved off the worst of : his ailment. : Raven? Any of this sound familiar in Napolean's : upbringing? : T&Q

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