ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent!

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Posted by Kera on October 20, 2001 at 18:53:46:

Hello,
My name is Kera and I have a Male Iguana approximately 8 years of age named Roxy. About two months ago I brought him to my vet to find that he had arthritis in his elbows. I had noticed him limping on his front arm and was concerned. My Vet gave us some medication and he seemed to be okay.
Then, about a week ago I realized that he had been progressively having trouble breathing and less mobile than normal, which is not much at all. We returned to our Vet and she took a few x-rays, she suspected that he had some fluid under his belly and decide to do some blood work. The last time blood work was taken was at the start of the summer ad other than being a bit dehydrated, Roxy was fine.
The blood work came back and showed that white blood cells were off the charts and also proteins were extremely high. Roxy returned for an ultrasound which determined that he has a pocket of fluid under his heart and one under his liver. Fluid was drawn and tested, results were that it was composed of protein and cells.
My vet is still unable to diagnose this situation. She is feeling that although there are no visible tumors, that this is cancer. She has ruled out Heart & Liver disease. We are now faced with two options:1) Let Roxy live out the rest of what live he has, or 2) Bring him back to the Vet for an exploratory operation, which is very risky and may still leave many questions of the root cause of this fluid unanswered.
I'm desperately looking for a second opinion. I live in Northern New Jersey and do not know of many reptile vets in my area. From what my Vet has said, all her sources are inconclusive.
I would really appreciate some advise. Today is Saturday and I need to decide on what our plan of action is by Monday. I am very much in love with Roxy, he is unlike any pet, never mind reptile, I have ever met and would like to do what is best for him with the least amount of stress on him.
Thank you for your time and concern in advance!
Sincerely,
Kera

Follow Ups:

my 2 cents msg IC 10/24/01 (0)
Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! sue1 10/21/01 (2)
- Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! Kera 10/21/01 (1)
  - Possible Diagnosis Samcin 10/21/01 (0)
Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! xta 10/20/01 (6)
- Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! Kera 10/20/01 (5)
  - Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! xta 10/20/01 (4)
    - Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! Kera 10/20/01 (3)
      - There are some dietary issues here... xta 10/20/01 (0)
      - Re: ill Iguana, Please Advise- Urgent! Kera 10/20/01 (1)
        
        tofu no-no Alilia 10/21/01 (0)

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: Hello, : My name is Kera and I have a Male Iguana approximately 8 years of age named Roxy. About two months ago I brought him to my vet to find that he had arthritis in his elbows. I had noticed him limping on his front arm and was concerned. My Vet gave us some medication and he seemed to be okay. : Then, about a week ago I realized that he had been progressively having trouble breathing and less mobile than normal, which is not much at all. We returned to our Vet and she took a few x-rays, she suspected that he had some fluid under his belly and decide to do some blood work. The last time blood work was taken was at the start of the summer ad other than being a bit dehydrated, Roxy was fine. : The blood work came back and showed that white blood cells were off the charts and also proteins were extremely high. Roxy returned for an ultrasound which determined that he has a pocket of fluid under his heart and one under his liver. Fluid was drawn and tested, results were that it was composed of protein and cells. : My vet is still unable to diagnose this situation. She is feeling that although there are no visible tumors, that this is cancer. She has ruled out Heart & Liver disease. We are now faced with two options:1) Let Roxy live out the rest of what live he has, or 2) Bring him back to the Vet for an exploratory operation, which is very risky and may still leave many questions of the root cause of this fluid unanswered. : I'm desperately looking for a second opinion. I live in Northern New Jersey and do not know of many reptile vets in my area. From what my Vet has said, all her sources are inconclusive. : I would really appreciate some advise. Today is Saturday and I need to decide on what our plan of action is by Monday. I am very much in love with Roxy, he is unlike any pet, never mind reptile, I have ever met and would like to do what is best for him with the least amount of stress on him. : Thank you for your time and concern in advance! : Sincerely, : Kera

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