Posted by BabyHerp on August 02, 2000 at 02:37:46:
In Reply to: Mysterious lump on iguanas cheek- need help asap!! posted by Donna Carrick Londono on August 01, 2000 at 16:59:20:
My guess:
The lump that was lanced was fibrous tissue....softening of the jawbone a symptom of MBD the lump can get quite large...it is NOT an abcess (caseated 'hard' pus =infection). These lumps can come on suddenly then get quite huge...from improper diet or lack of uvb/ artificial lighting or sunlight. Your vet once he gets the lab results more than likely will find a calcium/Vitamin D deficiency.....and begin a combination of calcium / vitamin D injections.
What you can do in the interim....get your ig in the sun...for as long as you can possibly....put out a cat litter pan filled with water for soaking
outside in an enclosed area, feed soft high calcium greens supplemented with calcium carbonate...like crushed Tums...you can also purchase NeoCalglucon from a major drug store or Calciquid, and give in a needleless syringe 1cc per 2.2 lbs. If he is about 9 lbs that would be about 4 ccs
Big questions.....does your iguana get good exposure to unfiltered direct sunlight several days a week?
Could your uvb artificial lighting be old?
What foods is in your iguana's daily diet?
How long have you had him?
Here's a link on MBD to read up about it see if anything fits okie dokie....
Please post back and give us an update!
Gina