who made the bulbs is VERY important /msg

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Posted by IC on July 12, 2001 at 13:17:49:

In Reply to: Ok Ok more added info from below! posted by Pete on July 12, 2001 at 10:06:08:

First of all, you are entirely rude. You came here to ask for help and advice and people are trying their best, based on the info you are giving them, to help you. Keeping iguanas happy and healthy isn't easy and everything related to their health, INCLUDING thier growth is important. Also, since you already seem to know it all -why are you even bothering to come here to ask questions. Since you are an "expert" iguana keeper, how embarassed you must be that your iguana will not "grow".

Now, if you are interested in some REAL good advice .....

WHO made the UV bulb is VERY important as not all UV bulbs are created equal. Zoo Med, who makes the Reptisun 5.0 and the Iguana Light (same light different packaging) are the only 2 flourescent tubes suggested and reccomended by most experienced iguana keepers. EVERY other flourescent tube on the market is garbage according to tests performed by Boston University. Personally, after extensive research on our own, we are switching over to ActiveUv bulbs as they are a far better source of UV and have many other benefits as well. Infact, many zoos are using the ActiveUV bulbs in their enclosures. Proper UVB exposure is essential for an iguana there are just no 2 ways about it.

Secondly, carrot tops are not easier for the iguana to digest. Speaking as someone who has a vast amount of iguana knowledge and has spent more than a few years keeping them and researching them, I have to say that the diet you are feeding is NOT all that great. Dandelions, collard green, mustard greens and turnip greens should be the bulk of what you are feeding. Kale, spinach and chard should NOT be staples in the diet and only fed occasionally as it is widely accepted that they can cause the nutrients in other vegetables to not be utilized properly and IF fed in large amounts can be a health hazard. Other vegetables, should be an addition to the iguana diet and you should pick vegetables with the best cal:phos ratio. Fruit should also be added in moderation as most fruits are very high in phos and too low in cal. Additionally, if you are truely trying to mimick an iguana's natural diet, flower leaves and blossoms, from certain organicly grown plants should be fed in healthy amounts.

Just because the curator of the Oklahoma Zoo told you something doesn't make it true. Most people, no matter how well intentioned, just don't know all the facts. Besides, if your zoo friend did, why can't he tell you how to make your iguana "grow"?? I'm so sure of my info that I will even be willing to call the zoo/curator myself and share what I know with him.

There are things that can be in an iguana's feces that are not detectable to the human eye. In fact, most ailments common to iguanas go completely undetected by their humans until they actually begin to show physical signs such as stunted groth and death. It is VERY important that any iguana gets a complete checkup once a year. In your case, where for whatever reason, you are thinking that the iguana's growth rate is too slow to me the INTELLEGENT decision to that is to take it to the vet, get a complete physical, blood test and feces exam.

I don't know where exactly you are getting all of your information but I hate to be the one to tell you that what you think is true in regards to keeping an iguana in captivity is INCORRECT. I can suggest book after book and article after article that will prove this to you. However, as it seems to me right now that you are not interested in the facts I'm not going to waste any more of my time. If indeed you are willing to admitt that you may not know everything and be willing to do some research on your own, from reputable, widely accepted sources, then I will be more than happy to continue this conversation with you.

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: First of all, you are entirely rude. You came here to ask for help and advice and people are trying their best, based on the info you are giving them, to help you. Keeping iguanas happy and healthy isn't easy and everything related to their health, INCLUDING thier growth is important. Also, since you already seem to know it all -why are you even bothering to come here to ask questions. Since you are an "expert" iguana keeper, how embarassed you must be that your iguana will not "grow". : Now, if you are interested in some REAL good advice ..... : WHO made the UV bulb is VERY important as not all UV bulbs are created equal. Zoo Med, who makes the Reptisun 5.0 and the Iguana Light (same light different packaging) are the only 2 flourescent tubes suggested and reccomended by most experienced iguana keepers. EVERY other flourescent tube on the market is garbage according to tests performed by Boston University. Personally, after extensive research on our own, we are switching over to ActiveUv bulbs as they are a far better source of UV and have many other benefits as well. Infact, many zoos are using the ActiveUV bulbs in their enclosures. Proper UVB exposure is essential for an iguana there are just no 2 ways about it. : Secondly, carrot tops are not easier for the iguana to digest. Speaking as someone who has a vast amount of iguana knowledge and has spent more than a few years keeping them and researching them, I have to say that the diet you are feeding is NOT all that great. Dandelions, collard green, mustard greens and turnip greens should be the bulk of what you are feeding. Kale, spinach and chard should NOT be staples in the diet and only fed occasionally as it is widely accepted that they can cause the nutrients in other vegetables to not be utilized properly and IF fed in large amounts can be a health hazard. Other vegetables, should be an addition to the iguana diet and you should pick vegetables with the best cal:phos ratio. Fruit should also be added in moderation as most fruits are very high in phos and too low in cal. Additionally, if you are truely trying to mimick an iguana's natural diet, flower leaves and blossoms, from certain organicly grown plants should be fed in healthy amounts. : Just because the curator of the Oklahoma Zoo told you something doesn't make it true. Most people, no matter how well intentioned, just don't know all the facts. Besides, if your zoo friend did, why can't he tell you how to make your iguana "grow"?? I'm so sure of my info that I will even be willing to call the zoo/curator myself and share what I know with him. : There are things that can be in an iguana's feces that are not detectable to the human eye. In fact, most ailments common to iguanas go completely undetected by their humans until they actually begin to show physical signs such as stunted groth and death. It is VERY important that any iguana gets a complete checkup once a year. In your case, where for whatever reason, you are thinking that the iguana's growth rate is too slow to me the INTELLEGENT decision to that is to take it to the vet, get a complete physical, blood test and feces exam. : I don't know where exactly you are getting all of your information but I hate to be the one to tell you that what you think is true in regards to keeping an iguana in captivity is INCORRECT. I can suggest book after book and article after article that will prove this to you. However, as it seems to me right now that you are not interested in the facts I'm not going to waste any more of my time. If indeed you are willing to admitt that you may not know everything and be willing to do some research on your own, from reputable, widely accepted sources, then I will be more than happy to continue this conversation with you.

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