slow down -somethings to keep in mind.

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Posted by Ig Chick on August 22, 2001 at 11:37:58:

In Reply to: Iguana horror story... need help from expd iggy owners asap. posted by phil on August 22, 2001 at 05:36:09:

First of all, like Mr D and Bon suggested, a vet trip is definetly in order. Get that z-ray done to check for impaction. In the mean time, try warm baths several times per day and massage his belly while he's in there. Make sure you make the bath shallow and don't leave him unattended to prevetn accidental drowning. While you're at the vet, blood work may not be a bad idea at all.

He isn't sweet/tame because they socilized him -he is too weak to fight. That doesn't mean he won't adore you -rescued igs often bond quickly with their human saviors and even when heatly again maintain that sweetness. Just remember after everything this little one has been through he is pretty weak and fragil. He was probably scared to death when you first picked him up -I'm sure he realizes now that you just want to help him.

Do not over force liquids at this point, offer small amounts several times per day. You do not want to make the poor ig sick -don't forget that they had been starving him for who knows how long. Get your hands on a humidifier -ultrasonic is best and allow him to bask in the humidity -try to get it as humid as you can. High humidity and warm but not super hot temps are going to be key for this guy.

Get rid of the full spectrum light and replace it with one of the UVB producing sources that Mr. D suggested (my pick to start with would be the Active since it prodices UVB, UVA and heat) -hold off on calcium supplemtation for awhile. Since this guy had no UV, his body will not be able to utilize the calcium anyway. Don't replace the hot rock, use a human heating pad wrapped in a towel and set on low and let him lay on that at night. I would also get rid of the tank and find a suitable enclosure for him ASAP.

Keep offering the food everyday -chop it as small as you can. Don't ever not offer the food, even if he's not eating. Just offer small portions to show him that food will be coming everyday. With rescues we leave food in their house around the clock adn change it every 12 hours. We had one iguana that was only being fed 1x per week, she would eat some of the food and then lay on the rest so I coulnd't take it away -she quickly learned that I would be bringing new food every day and stopped this behavior. In addition to the bowl of food -if you have a blender, mix up a slurry adding lots of berries to make it sweet. Often times an iguana who won't eat will lick at something sweet. I would try collard greens, dandelion green mixed with blueberries and strawberries. Make it the thickness of a smoothie -you can use water to thin it out. If this is not a possibility for you to make, get some fruit flavored Ensure and thy that.

Good luck with your new little friend. Like Mr D said, feel free to drop us email or stop by our website. Try to come back to the forum and keep all of us updated.

^5 for saving this guys life

Ig Chick

The Iguana Spot

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Re: slow down -somethings to keep in mind. phil 08/22/01 (0)

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: First of all, like Mr D and Bon suggested, a vet trip is definetly in order. Get that z-ray done to check for impaction. In the mean time, try warm baths several times per day and massage his belly while he's in there. Make sure you make the bath shallow and don't leave him unattended to prevetn accidental drowning. While you're at the vet, blood work may not be a bad idea at all. : He isn't sweet/tame because they socilized him -he is too weak to fight. That doesn't mean he won't adore you -rescued igs often bond quickly with their human saviors and even when heatly again maintain that sweetness. Just remember after everything this little one has been through he is pretty weak and fragil. He was probably scared to death when you first picked him up -I'm sure he realizes now that you just want to help him. : Do not over force liquids at this point, offer small amounts several times per day. You do not want to make the poor ig sick -don't forget that they had been starving him for who knows how long. Get your hands on a humidifier -ultrasonic is best and allow him to bask in the humidity -try to get it as humid as you can. High humidity and warm but not super hot temps are going to be key for this guy. : Get rid of the full spectrum light and replace it with one of the UVB producing sources that Mr. D suggested (my pick to start with would be the Active since it prodices UVB, UVA and heat) -hold off on calcium supplemtation for awhile. Since this guy had no UV, his body will not be able to utilize the calcium anyway. Don't replace the hot rock, use a human heating pad wrapped in a towel and set on low and let him lay on that at night. I would also get rid of the tank and find a suitable enclosure for him ASAP. : Keep offering the food everyday -chop it as small as you can. Don't ever not offer the food, even if he's not eating. Just offer small portions to show him that food will be coming everyday. With rescues we leave food in their house around the clock adn change it every 12 hours. We had one iguana that was only being fed 1x per week, she would eat some of the food and then lay on the rest so I coulnd't take it away -she quickly learned that I would be bringing new food every day and stopped this behavior. In addition to the bowl of food -if you have a blender, mix up a slurry adding lots of berries to make it sweet. Often times an iguana who won't eat will lick at something sweet. I would try collard greens, dandelion green mixed with blueberries and strawberries. Make it the thickness of a smoothie -you can use water to thin it out. If this is not a possibility for you to make, get some fruit flavored Ensure and thy that. : Good luck with your new little friend. Like Mr D said, feel free to drop us email or stop by our website. Try to come back to the forum and keep all of us updated. : ^5 for saving this guys life : Ig Chick

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