Re: sick IGuana & best UVB bulb

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Posted by Jamie on November 24, 1998 at 00:44:27:

In Reply to: sick IGuana posted by Eric Herndon on November 23, 1998 at 23:16:01:

: I found a iguana it is about 5' long including tail i think it is about 6-7 yrs old it is skinny and not eating so i forced feed it but it wont start eatting on its own i have liquid calcium im giving it 1cc a week and im deworming it with ridworm from a pet store is there anything else i can do for it please help.thanks.

Hi, Eric
Good for you for helping a sick ig. There's far too many of them. It sounds like you are doing a good enough job, I just have a few things to add. First on my mind is getting it to a good herp vet. I don't tend to trust any dewormer you can buy off the shelf of a pet store. I would take it to a reptile vet, along with a fresh fecal sample, and have the vet do a fecal. Also, having the vet run a blood panel will determine what it's calcium:phosphorus levels are, and will instruct you on how and when to suppliment effectively. They will also be able to tell if there is any kidney or liver disfunction, or danger of MBD. This is an important first step. Next, you say you are force feeding it: Can you tel us a bit more about that? What are you feeding, and how exactly are you forcing it? This could bear on why it's not eating. Also, temperatures. All iguanas, but especially sick ones, *must* have high temps. This will help the body fight away any infections as welll as inable them to digest their food. Temps should be in the daytime range of 75� to 80� on the cool side, and about 95� at the hot spot. Also, I recommend using a UVB light (flourescent tube that specifically says UVB). This is essential for aid in absorbing calcium and keeping bones strong, therefore preventing MBD (metabolic bone disease). These things together should halp him on his way to recovery. By the way, it might be a very important where you found this iguana. For instance, did you find it in a pet store and bring it home, or did you find it outside in 30� weather? Those circumstances in which you found it could explain a lot. I hope that helps.

Also, on the subject of the best UVB bulbs, I strongly recommend ZooMed ReptiSun 5.0 (or Iguana Light, they are exactly the same light (: ) Supposidly, there have been test run, and the ZooMed 5.0 put out more UVB than any other brands. I've been using it for a long time with good results.

Best,
Jamie

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: : I found a iguana it is about 5' long including tail i think it is about 6-7 yrs old it is skinny and not eating so i forced feed it but it wont start eatting on its own i have liquid calcium im giving it 1cc a week and im deworming it with ridworm from a pet store is there anything else i can do for it please help.thanks. : Hi, Eric : Good for you for helping a sick ig. There's far too many of them. It sounds like you are doing a good enough job, I just have a few things to add. First on my mind is getting it to a good herp vet. I don't tend to trust any dewormer you can buy off the shelf of a pet store. I would take it to a reptile vet, along with a fresh fecal sample, and have the vet do a fecal. Also, having the vet run a blood panel will determine what it's calcium:phosphorus levels are, and will instruct you on how and when to suppliment effectively. They will also be able to tell if there is any kidney or liver disfunction, or danger of MBD. This is an important first step. Next, you say you are force feeding it: Can you tel us a bit more about that? What are you feeding, and how exactly are you forcing it? This could bear on why it's not eating. Also, temperatures. All iguanas, but especially sick ones, *must* have high temps. This will help the body fight away any infections as welll as inable them to digest their food. Temps should be in the daytime range of 75� to 80� on the cool side, and about 95� at the hot spot. Also, I recommend using a UVB light (flourescent tube that specifically says UVB). This is essential for aid in absorbing calcium and keeping bones strong, therefore preventing MBD (metabolic bone disease). These things together should halp him on his way to recovery. By the way, it might be a very important where you found this iguana. For instance, did you find it in a pet store and bring it home, or did you find it outside in 30� weather? Those circumstances in which you found it could explain a lot. I hope that helps. : Also, on the subject of the best UVB bulbs, I strongly recommend ZooMed ReptiSun 5.0 (or Iguana Light, they are exactly the same light (: ) Supposidly, there have been test run, and the ZooMed 5.0 put out more UVB than any other brands. I've been using it for a long time with good results. : Best, : Jamie

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