Re: Mrs. High and Mighty here.......

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Posted by Souella on December 04, 2000 at 16:45:42:

In Reply to: Re: Mrs. High and Mighty here....... posted by Sue2 on December 04, 2000 at 16:01:50:

: If you did not purchase the iglet mentioned above from a (pet) store, where did you purchase him?

I purchased him from a farm in Colombia. He had just arrived in the country along with other farmed iguanas. Maybe you guys don't like farming either, but at least they did not take this ig from the wild. I did not want a wild iguana, but one captive bred was ok to me. I have not seen forum posters saying they have baby iguanas available from their igs even tho there have been a number of posts regarding fertile/gravid igs. I would have inquired with them first given the chance since they seem so caring of their animals. Barring that, I chose to get a captive born iguana.

: You really need to have him looked at by a vet. Sometimes when people attempt to splint or set bones, they cause more damage. Take him in and have the vet look at what you did and also take a fresh stool sample in.

I have access to 3 good reptile vets. Even they have said that they would have difficulty working with an iguana so small. While, I'm not a vet or vet tech, this iguanas arm popped back into place very easily. It was not difficult to tell and feel that the bone was back in it's correct place.

: Generally speaking, reptiles take a long time to recover from most everything (illness, broken bones, infections, etc.). If you feed him the proper diet, chances are you do not need to supplement him. Sometimes more of something (calcium) can do more harm than good. Again, a good herp vet will guide you.

I am aware of these things, I am not a newbie.

: As HD stated, until you sit where we sit and constantly turn away people who just had to have an iglet and then 2 years later want us to take "their problem" (the iguana), you too would discourage anyone from purchasing an iglet (versus adopting a homeless iguana). Far too many iguanas and not enough good homes.

It's nice that you can assume no one else is 'sitting where you're sitting'. I too have discouraged people from purchasing iguanas and have informed them of just what to expect in a few years when their tiny iguana turns into a several foot long prehistoric monster. I researched the care requirements for iguanas before I got my first iguana which is a lot more than most first time iguana purchaers do, and I learned a lot of additional info while raising her, as well. I am not one of those people who buy animals and then try and learn what I just bought and how to take care of it. I am aware of the problems with pet iguanas/wild populations/iguanas as food,etc and I would not recommend them as pets to anyone without asking them a large number of questions to make sure they are aware of what they are getting into. I am angered by all the lack of research new iguana owners fail to do that causes these great animals such suffering. Even when you do try to inform people of all these things, sure, there are those who won't really believe you. I know what is involved with a large ig and I look forward to those days when I have a large ig again. But I wanted to be the one to raise that ig.

Since the days, of my first iguana's passing, I have passed up many iguanas in pet stores to not feed their demand for igs kept in horrible conditions. I also rehabilitate box turtles and the story is similar for them. I have also passed up many turtles in pet stores that I know I could have helped simply because it would encourage the pet store just to get more. Repeatedly, I advocate that new people research the requirements first before they buy and that they pay the few dollars extra for a healthy captive born turtle. I see the same thing over and over. Turtles taken from the wild when they didn't need to be, and people seeking advice after something is obviously wrong and when it's probably too late.

I have also spoken to young children and my graduate biology classes about reptiles and iguanas to help spread awareness about the misinformation/and problems with these animals.

: With all that said, good luck with both of them, hopefully you'll hang on to them for thier entire lives.

: Sue2

: I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you didn't "rescue" the injuried iglet, what you did was accept someone else's responsibility. And shame on them (whether it be a store or a breeder) for not seeking treatment for that iglet.

Yes, they should have taken the iguana and sought treatment; however, I did not expect that they would for a number of reasons. The iguana would have simply been euthanized without any attempt at treatment. The big reason being the almighty dollar and economics. Reality dictates with breeders/dealers/pet stores that it is uneconomical to spend over a $100 to treat a $5 dollar animal and then expect to sell it for $5, and no one is going to buy a $105 dollar animal when they can buy the one sitting next to it for $5. It is harsh, and we may not like it, but this is simply what is going to happen. I honestly thought about not taking this hurt little iguana for all of the above reasons and reasons in previous posts, but I did take him. Sorry my love for igs overcame the realities of the world.

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: : If you did not purchase the iglet mentioned above from a (pet) store, where did you purchase him? : I purchased him from a farm in Colombia. He had just arrived in the country along with other farmed iguanas. Maybe you guys don't like farming either, but at least they did not take this ig from the wild. I did not want a wild iguana, but one captive bred was ok to me. I have not seen forum posters saying they have baby iguanas available from their igs even tho there have been a number of posts regarding fertile/gravid igs. I would have inquired with them first given the chance since they seem so caring of their animals. Barring that, I chose to get a captive born iguana. : : You really need to have him looked at by a vet. Sometimes when people attempt to splint or set bones, they cause more damage. Take him in and have the vet look at what you did and also take a fresh stool sample in. : I have access to 3 good reptile vets. Even they have said that they would have difficulty working with an iguana so small. While, I'm not a vet or vet tech, this iguanas arm popped back into place very easily. It was not difficult to tell and feel that the bone was back in it's correct place. : : Generally speaking, reptiles take a long time to recover from most everything (illness, broken bones, infections, etc.). If you feed him the proper diet, chances are you do not need to supplement him. Sometimes more of something (calcium) can do more harm than good. Again, a good herp vet will guide you. : I am aware of these things, I am not a newbie. : : As HD stated, until you sit where we sit and constantly turn away people who just had to have an iglet and then 2 years later want us to take "their problem" (the iguana), you too would discourage anyone from purchasing an iglet (versus adopting a homeless iguana). Far too many iguanas and not enough good homes. : It's nice that you can assume no one else is 'sitting where you're sitting'. I too have discouraged people from purchasing iguanas and have informed them of just what to expect in a few years when their tiny iguana turns into a several foot long prehistoric monster. I researched the care requirements for iguanas before I got my first iguana which is a lot more than most first time iguana purchaers do, and I learned a lot of additional info while raising her, as well. I am not one of those people who buy animals and then try and learn what I just bought and how to take care of it. I am aware of the problems with pet iguanas/wild populations/iguanas as food,etc and I would not recommend them as pets to anyone without asking them a large number of questions to make sure they are aware of what they are getting into. I am angered by all the lack of research new iguana owners fail to do that causes these great animals such suffering. Even when you do try to inform people of all these things, sure, there are those who won't really believe you. I know what is involved with a large ig and I look forward to those days when I have a large ig again. But I wanted to be the one to raise that ig. : Since the days, of my first iguana's passing, I have passed up many iguanas in pet stores to not feed their demand for igs kept in horrible conditions. I also rehabilitate box turtles and the story is similar for them. I have also passed up many turtles in pet stores that I know I could have helped simply because it would encourage the pet store just to get more. Repeatedly, I advocate that new people research the requirements first before they buy and that they pay the few dollars extra for a healthy captive born turtle. I see the same thing over and over. Turtles taken from the wild when they didn't need to be, and people seeking advice after something is obviously wrong and when it's probably too late. : I have also spoken to young children and my graduate biology classes about reptiles and iguanas to help spread awareness about the misinformation/and problems with these animals. : : With all that said, good luck with both of them, hopefully you'll hang on to them for thier entire lives. : : Sue2 : : I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you didn't "rescue" the injuried iglet, what you did was accept someone else's responsibility. And shame on them (whether it be a store or a breeder) for not seeking treatment for that iglet. : Yes, they should have taken the iguana and sought treatment; however, I did not expect that they would for a number of reasons. The iguana would have simply been euthanized without any attempt at treatment. The big reason being the almighty dollar and economics. Reality dictates with breeders/dealers/pet stores that it is uneconomical to spend over a $100 to treat a $5 dollar animal and then expect to sell it for $5, and no one is going to buy a $105 dollar animal when they can buy the one sitting next to it for $5. It is harsh, and we may not like it, but this is simply what is going to happen. I honestly thought about not taking this hurt little iguana for all of the above reasons and reasons in previous posts, but I did take him. Sorry my love for igs overcame the realities of the world.

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