Posted by Jamie/JBug on July 03, 2000 at 22:21:05:
In Reply to: need some help posted by Barbara on July 03, 2000 at 19:44:08:
Hi, Barbara
To me this sounds like a *very* serious case of impaction. About as serious as you can get, IMO. I do not believe that she is gravid, and here is why: For one thing, a gravid ig doesn't appear "bloated." She will appear lumpy (if anything at all) and her tail base will be skinny. I've also never heard of a graivd iguana throwing up. All signs point to a *VERY* grave impaction. It sounds (to me) as if both intestine may be blocked. The intestine that moves waste is possibly blocked because she is not pooping. But it also sounds to me as if the one that takes in digested food for processing is blocked as well, if she is vomiting up food. I say this particularly because you said some of the food was not digested. Mineral oil may help the impaction of the bowel-moving intestine, if it's not a severe case, but mineral oil *won't* help the other one. I can tell you right now that I personally believe that surgery will probably be the only way to remove the impaction. Please don't wait~somewhere there is an emergency vet that will be able to handle this. I agree that you need to call the clinic your current herp vet works at and ask them where she/he refers her/his reptile patients to for emergencies. Perhaps you'll even be able to get ahold of her/him. Don't give up. This is not the kind of thing that will "get better" over time. The longer you wait, the weaker she gets, and the weaker she gets, the less chance she'll have of surviving surgery if surgery is going to be required. Many overly weak herps have a hard time surviving anesthesia. As Sue said, I don't mean to worry you, but this is a very grave matter.
Good luck, we're pulling for you. Please keep us posted.
*hugs*
Jamie/JBug
: I thought I would come to the experts. I am going to keep checking this as I am pretty worried. Our 3 year old ig has been in the pink of health, and very active. Today she didn't touch her food and yet her belly was bloated. She hasn't gone to the bathroom for a couple of days. Anyway, just a few minutes ago she threw up alot of food some digested some not. She does not feel well, she acts the way we all do when we are throwing up. Lathargic and tired. Any suggestions? Thanks.