Re: Surrendered Ig Qs

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Posted by xta on January 05, 2002 at 15:14:52:

In Reply to: Surrendered Ig Qs posted by SierraK on January 05, 2002 at 14:21:53:

I'm glad this ig found you! If it is a "he" that he could be orange because it is breeding season (and orange is the hip color of choice to attract females...lol) Orange veggies can enhance the orange as well, although I'm not sure to what degree.

Is sounds like this ig can use a new cage...your idea of using the other for an outdoor cage sounds like a good idea. There are many cage designs online. I will give you a link to mine which was built of melamine and plexiglass. Wire can be used in ig cages if you don't have yourself a nose rubber (which I do) and if you can keep the temps high enough. Mist him daily or give him some warm baths.

You need to get a UV light and heat lamp immediately (get a Zoomed 5.O or Zoomed Power Sun bulb or an Active UV light) for the UV. Basic good calcium rich diet includes a mix of some of the following: collards, turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion, watercress, escarole/endive, squashes, green beans/peas, little fruit like melon, mango, berries. It sounds like your ig has a calcium deficiency and should be seen by a vet for a possible injection...and to look at any deformaties. Also, take a fresh fecal sample when you go so you can check for worms/parasites. Later, you may want to consider a blood test to see just how bad off the ig is (can point to a bunch of potential problems plus it is good for a baseline to judge later blood tests for improvement)

There are some great sites online for care and also 2 great books out there. Melissa Kaplan's Iguanas for Dummies and James Hatfield's Giant Green Iguana Guide (very thick)

Good luck and I can't wait to see a photo!
links:
http://www.anapsid.org/
http://www.baskingspot.com/iguanas/igbook/
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/9008/gender.html

: It's been about five years since I've had an iguana, but somebody dropped one off in my lap today. I'm actually more of a snake person, but this iguana is absolutely endearing, and I think she is definately better off with me than with her past owner -- who left her in his apartment for the landlord to dispose of.

: She's 3 feet 5 inches (her entire tail intact), SVL of just over one foot. Her general appearance is one of health, but of course she could have a dozen problems inside waiting to manifest. I hope you all don't mind but I have a few questions as it's been ages since I've had one of these guys.

: 1.) She is very orange. I have heard that this could be from being fed too many carrots. Is that an old herper's tale?

: 2.) The cage she is in is 43"W by 22"D and 24" Tall. Is this large enough for her for now or does she need a larger cage immediately?

: 3.) The cage is made of 1/4 inch wire, which makes me think keeping humidity might be difficult to maintain, but then I have seen people keep igs in wire cages before. What I might do is keep the wire cage as an outdoor sunning pen, and give her something else for inside. Any suggestions? (Also, she is missing one of her toes, could this be from getting caught in the wire?)

: 4.) Her jaw seems swollen, which makes me think she wasn't getting the proper nutrition before. She was being fed on a prepared commercial feed. It might not be swollen, it might be my imagination or I may just be unfamiliar with how thick an ig's jaw should be. I plan to post pics of her tomorrow when I have access to my digital camera.

: Thank you to anybody who has the time to help me out with this little ig.
: ~ Sierra

SLEESTACK'S NEW CAGE

Follow Ups:

A Bit More / sexing, lights and feeding SierraK 01/05/02 (4)
- What kind/brand of UV bulbs.... Mr. D 01/06/02 (2)
  - Re: What kind/brand of UV bulbs.... SierraK 01/06/02 (1)
    - Re: What kind/brand of UV bulbs.... Mr. D 01/06/02 (0)
- Re: A Bit More / sexing, lights and feeding xta 01/05/02 (0)

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: I'm glad this ig found you! If it is a "he" that he could be orange because it is breeding season (and orange is the hip color of choice to attract females...lol) Orange veggies can enhance the orange as well, although I'm not sure to what degree. : Is sounds like this ig can use a new cage...your idea of using the other for an outdoor cage sounds like a good idea. There are many cage designs online. I will give you a link to mine which was built of melamine and plexiglass. Wire can be used in ig cages if you don't have yourself a nose rubber (which I do) and if you can keep the temps high enough. Mist him daily or give him some warm baths. : You need to get a UV light and heat lamp immediately (get a Zoomed 5.O or Zoomed Power Sun bulb or an Active UV light) for the UV. Basic good calcium rich diet includes a mix of some of the following: collards, turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion, watercress, escarole/endive, squashes, green beans/peas, little fruit like melon, mango, berries. It sounds like your ig has a calcium deficiency and should be seen by a vet for a possible injection...and to look at any deformaties. Also, take a fresh fecal sample when you go so you can check for worms/parasites. Later, you may want to consider a blood test to see just how bad off the ig is (can point to a bunch of potential problems plus it is good for a baseline to judge later blood tests for improvement) : There are some great sites online for care and also 2 great books out there. Melissa Kaplan's Iguanas for Dummies and James Hatfield's Giant Green Iguana Guide (very thick) : Good luck and I can't wait to see a photo! : links: : http://www.anapsid.org/ : http://www.baskingspot.com/iguanas/igbook/ : http://www.herpvetconnection.com/ : http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/9008/gender.html : : It's been about five years since I've had an iguana, but somebody dropped one off in my lap today. I'm actually more of a snake person, but this iguana is absolutely endearing, and I think she is definately better off with me than with her past owner -- who left her in his apartment for the landlord to dispose of. : : She's 3 feet 5 inches (her entire tail intact), SVL of just over one foot. Her general appearance is one of health, but of course she could have a dozen problems inside waiting to manifest. I hope you all don't mind but I have a few questions as it's been ages since I've had one of these guys. : : 1.) She is very orange. I have heard that this could be from being fed too many carrots. Is that an old herper's tale? : : 2.) The cage she is in is 43"W by 22"D and 24" Tall. Is this large enough for her for now or does she need a larger cage immediately? : : 3.) The cage is made of 1/4 inch wire, which makes me think keeping humidity might be difficult to maintain, but then I have seen people keep igs in wire cages before. What I might do is keep the wire cage as an outdoor sunning pen, and give her something else for inside. Any suggestions? (Also, she is missing one of her toes, could this be from getting caught in the wire?) : : 4.) Her jaw seems swollen, which makes me think she wasn't getting the proper nutrition before. She was being fed on a prepared commercial feed. It might not be swollen, it might be my imagination or I may just be unfamiliar with how thick an ig's jaw should be. I plan to post pics of her tomorrow when I have access to my digital camera. : : Thank you to anybody who has the time to help me out with this little ig. : : ~ Sierra

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