suggestions

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Posted by Sharon on July 25, 2001 at 01:11:43:

In Reply to: Rehabbing thin iggy posted by Luke on July 24, 2001 at 16:07:18:

get the diet to a majority of dark leafy greens - maustard, turnip, and some collard - with a good variety of other items offered at each feeding as well.
Get the animal out to a vet for a routine checkup and stool sample to rule out parasites or other problems...and after some time on a good diet with proper care, the iguana should be looking better. Don't try anything to 'fatten' him up quickly - like anything else...a good consistent diet will result in a healthy animal...while feeding tons of protein and carbos to 'fatten' will result in future health issues. I would save the trips to the park until after he has been seen by a vet and you know he is healthy.

Also, watch the supplements - a good balanced diet doesn't need them and they can actually lead to toxic levels of certain nutrients in the body...better to offer a good variety of healthy foods.

As far as the free roaming question - it really depends on the animal, your home, and your preferences...if he is potty trained and the house is SAFE for him - then roaming is good - but even things as incidental seeming as plush carpeting can be a hazard for an iguana, so check things out well ahead of time. (Iguanas can lose toe claws in certain types of carpet fibers) - inspect your home for safety...

and good luck...Keep us posted on how things are going.
~Shar

: i just recently traded a corn snake for an iguana with my downstairs neighbor. he had two iguanas, but i now have one of them. his male is nice and tame, and a nice wieght and color. the one i got has some broken spikes, a missing nail, and is kinda thin. he has no problems moving, no crooked limbs, but i don't think he is plump enough. what could i feed him to plump him up. i feed him a mixed diet. romain lettuce, carrots and peas one day, grapes, romain, green beans the next, all mixed with mineral supplements and flukers diet. every day i change extra stuff, while keeping a leafy base. i ws planning on taking him to a local park and letting him eat some grass etc. is that a good idea? today i gave him some kiwi, grapes and romain. he swims daily in the tub and reacts well to that. (mellows him out) is there anything else i can do for him to make him fatter. i have a room on an enclosed porch. i was thinking of letting him have free roam or the room and only sleeping in his cage at night. (so he doesn't claw me to death while i sleep or get crushed) he gets his daily dose of sun, and his cage is hot enough. i'd like opinions and tricks. oh, he's about 2 1/2 ft total length.
: thanks
: luke

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: get the diet to a majority of dark leafy greens - maustard, turnip, and some collard - with a good variety of other items offered at each feeding as well. : Get the animal out to a vet for a routine checkup and stool sample to rule out parasites or other problems...and after some time on a good diet with proper care, the iguana should be looking better. Don't try anything to 'fatten' him up quickly - like anything else...a good consistent diet will result in a healthy animal...while feeding tons of protein and carbos to 'fatten' will result in future health issues. I would save the trips to the park until after he has been seen by a vet and you know he is healthy. : Also, watch the supplements - a good balanced diet doesn't need them and they can actually lead to toxic levels of certain nutrients in the body...better to offer a good variety of healthy foods. : As far as the free roaming question - it really depends on the animal, your home, and your preferences...if he is potty trained and the house is SAFE for him - then roaming is good - but even things as incidental seeming as plush carpeting can be a hazard for an iguana, so check things out well ahead of time. (Iguanas can lose toe claws in certain types of carpet fibers) - inspect your home for safety... : and good luck...Keep us posted on how things are going. : ~Shar : : : i just recently traded a corn snake for an iguana with my downstairs neighbor. he had two iguanas, but i now have one of them. his male is nice and tame, and a nice wieght and color. the one i got has some broken spikes, a missing nail, and is kinda thin. he has no problems moving, no crooked limbs, but i don't think he is plump enough. what could i feed him to plump him up. i feed him a mixed diet. romain lettuce, carrots and peas one day, grapes, romain, green beans the next, all mixed with mineral supplements and flukers diet. every day i change extra stuff, while keeping a leafy base. i ws planning on taking him to a local park and letting him eat some grass etc. is that a good idea? today i gave him some kiwi, grapes and romain. he swims daily in the tub and reacts well to that. (mellows him out) is there anything else i can do for him to make him fatter. i have a room on an enclosed porch. i was thinking of letting him have free roam or the room and only sleeping in his cage at night. (so he doesn't claw me to death while i sleep or get crushed) he gets his daily dose of sun, and his cage is hot enough. i'd like opinions and tricks. oh, he's about 2 1/2 ft total length. : : thanks : : luke

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