A few more hints, tips and tricks

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by TandQ on September 18, 2000 at 08:45:53:

In Reply to: IG - Urgent HELP needed (kidney / liver problem) posted by Thomas Hermanson on September 17, 2000 at 13:24:48:

Hello!

I, too, have had some success treating a kidney-damaged
iguana. While my iguana didn't experience elevated
uric acid levels, he did have to deal with high
phosphorus levels, dehydration, swollen throat, lack
of appetite, low bone density, etc.

Here are a couple of tips I'd like to add
to the good info you have already been given:

* Many vets recommend a run of Prednisone (a type
of steroid) to reduce swelling of the kidneys.

* Damaged kidneys can interfere with an iguana's
calcium metabolism. X-rays can determine if your
iguana's bone density is being compromised. Liquid
calcium (NeoCalglucon, Calciquid, etc.) is often
prescribed.

* To increase absorption of syringe-fed liquids,
warm them slightly.

* While your iguana's hematocrit level is one of
the best measures of dehydration, there are a couple
of ways you can watch for dehydration at home.
Look for overly bloodshot eyes and sagging eyelids,
and/or overly pale gums inside his mouth. Also, an
iguanas' skin may remain "tented" when pinched.

* While some iguanas have trouble with aluminum
hydroxide products like Amphogel and Alternagel
(i.e. iZ), others have no problem with it at all.
For my iguana, Alternagel managed his phosphorus
levels well with no side effects.

* Keep an eye on your iguana's throat (inside more
than outside). Throat swelling can be caused by
an increase in blood pressure. If your iguana
experiened this symptom, try to keep him quiet
and try to get him to bask with his head elevated
significantly over his body.

* I found that my male iguana's symptoms worsened
in the winter during breeding season. During these
times, I often had to syringe-feed my iguana. I
used vegetable baby food, canned pumpkin, pureed
greens, etc.

Good luck with your iguana!
T&Q

Follow Ups:

Re: Amphojel iZ's mom 09/18/00 (0)
Re: A few more hints, tips and tricks Lisa 09/18/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Hello! : I, too, have had some success treating a kidney-damaged : iguana. While my iguana didn't experience elevated : uric acid levels, he did have to deal with high : phosphorus levels, dehydration, swollen throat, lack : of appetite, low bone density, etc. : Here are a couple of tips I'd like to add : to the good info you have already been given: : * Many vets recommend a run of Prednisone (a type : of steroid) to reduce swelling of the kidneys. : * Damaged kidneys can interfere with an iguana's : calcium metabolism. X-rays can determine if your : iguana's bone density is being compromised. Liquid : calcium (NeoCalglucon, Calciquid, etc.) is often : prescribed. : * To increase absorption of syringe-fed liquids, : warm them slightly. : * While your iguana's hematocrit level is one of : the best measures of dehydration, there are a couple : of ways you can watch for dehydration at home. : Look for overly bloodshot eyes and sagging eyelids, : and/or overly pale gums inside his mouth. Also, an : iguanas' skin may remain "tented" when pinched. : * While some iguanas have trouble with aluminum : hydroxide products like Amphogel and Alternagel : (i.e. iZ), others have no problem with it at all. : For my iguana, Alternagel managed his phosphorus : levels well with no side effects. : * Keep an eye on your iguana's throat (inside more : than outside). Throat swelling can be caused by : an increase in blood pressure. If your iguana : experiened this symptom, try to keep him quiet : and try to get him to bask with his head elevated : significantly over his body. : * I found that my male iguana's symptoms worsened : in the winter during breeding season. During these : times, I often had to syringe-feed my iguana. I : used vegetable baby food, canned pumpkin, pureed : greens, etc. : Good luck with your iguana! : T&Q

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]