Re: help please

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Posted by Mr. D on June 28, 2001 at 08:27:36:

In Reply to: help please posted by fiona on June 28, 2001 at 07:28:31:

Let's take care of factual stuff first. Yes, it is possible to contract salmonella from an iguana (or just about ANY herp). The majority of iguanas do carry it and it is transmitted through contact with fecal matter. This would be the #1 reason that people are told to wash their hands after handling a reptile.
Now for the subjective part. IMHO, iguanas and children most definitely do NOT mix. Iguanas CAN be unpredictable no matter how "tame" they appear. The claws alone can and do rip human skin to shreds and even draw blood simply by walking on unprotected skin if not constantly trimmed - yet another possible salmonella contraction. Ig walks through poop, human picks up ig, ig walks on human, ig cuts human flesh, salmonella is successfully transferred. From the child side - MOST have no understanding of how to handle an iguana (neither do the majority of larger humans for that matter).
IGUANAS ARE NOT DOGS.... The majority of them will not "come" when called, they do not fetch, and they cannot live outside in a "house" in the rain in November. Igs, despite what almost ANY pet store will tell you, are NOT easy to care for. Your friend already has 2 kids and one on the way? She doesn't have time to keep an iguana. That was nixed after the first child - nevermind 2 PLUS a newborn. Does your friend have an extra $1500 a year to spend on a lizard that will, within the FIRST year, triple in size? Does your friend have the time EVERY morning to prepare FRESH food for an iguana? Is there space in her home to eventually have a 6x6x3 enclosure because that is the MINIMUM that an adult ig will need for living space. Even better - does she have an entire room that can be dedicated to the ig - CHILD FREE and heated and humidified to the proper levels ?
As much as she may want an iguana now, it would most likely be a wiser choice for her to wait 10-12 years for the newborn to be able to understand the care necessary for an ig. By that time, the other kids will have grown enough to be able to handle and care for the ig also. Oh, did I mention vet bills ? Igs should be seen at LEAST once ayear for "well" checkups. Then there are the potential broken toes, respiratory infections, "female" problems (eggs, etc.)... Is there a QUALIFIED herp vet in her area - I've contacted vets who will flat out refuse to see an iguana... NOT every vet is qualified to treat iguanas (even the ones who say they are may not be). One more deciding factor should be to have her take a look at the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (www.arav.org) site and see if there is a vet listed there in her area.
Good luck to your friend in making her decision and by all means feel free to come back if she has any further questions....

The Iguana Spot

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ACK! iZ's mom 06/28/01 (2)
- We are the lucky one's I guess... James H. (Benny's Dad) 06/28/01 (1)
  - i think so too! :) ... msg iZ's mom 06/28/01 (0)

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: Let's take care of factual stuff first. Yes, it is possible to contract salmonella from an iguana (or just about ANY herp). The majority of iguanas do carry it and it is transmitted through contact with fecal matter. This would be the #1 reason that people are told to wash their hands after handling a reptile. : Now for the subjective part. IMHO, iguanas and children most definitely do NOT mix. Iguanas CAN be unpredictable no matter how "tame" they appear. The claws alone can and do rip human skin to shreds and even draw blood simply by walking on unprotected skin if not constantly trimmed - yet another possible salmonella contraction. Ig walks through poop, human picks up ig, ig walks on human, ig cuts human flesh, salmonella is successfully transferred. From the child side - MOST have no understanding of how to handle an iguana (neither do the majority of larger humans for that matter). : IGUANAS ARE NOT DOGS.... The majority of them will not "come" when called, they do not fetch, and they cannot live outside in a "house" in the rain in November. Igs, despite what almost ANY pet store will tell you, are NOT easy to care for. Your friend already has 2 kids and one on the way? She doesn't have time to keep an iguana. That was nixed after the first child - nevermind 2 PLUS a newborn. Does your friend have an extra $1500 a year to spend on a lizard that will, within the FIRST year, triple in size? Does your friend have the time EVERY morning to prepare FRESH food for an iguana? Is there space in her home to eventually have a 6x6x3 enclosure because that is the MINIMUM that an adult ig will need for living space. Even better - does she have an entire room that can be dedicated to the ig - CHILD FREE and heated and humidified to the proper levels ? : As much as she may want an iguana now, it would most likely be a wiser choice for her to wait 10-12 years for the newborn to be able to understand the care necessary for an ig. By that time, the other kids will have grown enough to be able to handle and care for the ig also. Oh, did I mention vet bills ? Igs should be seen at LEAST once ayear for "well" checkups. Then there are the potential broken toes, respiratory infections, "female" problems (eggs, etc.)... Is there a QUALIFIED herp vet in her area - I've contacted vets who will flat out refuse to see an iguana... NOT every vet is qualified to treat iguanas (even the ones who say they are may not be). One more deciding factor should be to have her take a look at the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (www.arav.org) site and see if there is a vet listed there in her area. : Good luck to your friend in making her decision and by all means feel free to come back if she has any further questions....

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