Re: Newbie lookin for a lil advice....(kinda long)

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Posted by nate351 on August 06, 2002 at 18:17:22:

In Reply to: Newbie lookin for a lil advice....(kinda long) posted by jonb on August 06, 2002 at 08:14:42:

Well, from the sound of it you have a clue about general herp stuff, just not very igtelligent (I just made up that word, let me know if it is too stupid to live). Anyway, the diet you are giving him has to be a million times better than what it had, but is still a long way off. While watermellon isn't a great choice because it basically only has water in it, your ig is probably very dehydrated. Good call and bad call, get it?

From the conditions you described, a vet visit should be TOP on the list. I know this is probably a lot more than you were expecting when taking home a free iguana, but I have been where you are too many times and still not been able to save them myself. The problem is that for any symptom there are many possible causes, and only experience, bloodwork, fecal exam, fluid levels, etc that a vet can give will tell exactly what is wrong.

Failing that (I know vets who would do all that nearly pro bono) you at least need a good book (or a few). The Iguanas for Dummies book is (despite the name) great for most levels and is written by the illustrious MK. BTW: Mellisa Kaplan has great info on her website at www.anapsid.org.

Follow what the rest of these guys say, and you will probably develope your own mix of all of these advices. I agree that a 75 gal won't be your best bet. I also have fish, and know that for the price of a 75, you can build (out of 2x4's and mesh from Home Depot) a great cage that will last a lifetime. The 75 might last you a year if the iguana is healthy. Also, after the iguana outgrows the 75, it might not ever hold water efficiently again due to scratches in the silicone.

I really didn't mean for this to be a lecture, so I'll cut it short. Welcome to the forum, and I am sure many of us here will be happy to help as much as possible, if you are going to seriously commit to this thing. There are many many good sources of info on the internet, but probably twice as many bad sources, so if you come here with some false info, someone is bound to let you know.

Good luck!
Nate

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