Re: New user with iguana for first time Need some help

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Posted by xta on December 28, 2002 at 11:42:09:

In Reply to: New user with iguana for first time Need some help posted by Wolfie on December 28, 2002 at 04:50:47:

I bought it romaine lettuce spinach and chicory and it wont eat any of it.
What does everyone recommend?
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Spinach is not a good choice�it is to be avoided. Lettuces are worthless as well. Look for greens like collard, mustard, turnip greens, endive, escarole, watercress, dandelion. You can shred up various squashes, green beans, and pea pods on top as well as a little fruit like mango, papaya, berries, or melon. The dark leafy calcium rich greens should make up most of his diet, however. (except Spinach). He may not take to this diet right away since he is stressed out or he was fed the wrong diet previously. Try various ways of presenting the food to him� big chunks of greens, shredded, or processed. He may take more if it is prepared differently. Mine prefers larger pieces�just make sure there aren�t big stems to choke on.

Also people recommend kingworms and crickets but then others
say its hard for the iguana to digest the crickets?
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NO BUGS! (animal protein is bad)

Also do most iguanas like swimming in the tub?
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Some do and some don't but eventually most grow to like it. It is good for them since it hydrates them and helps them shed. Just don't make it too hot or cold.

Heat rock? Do or Don't ?
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NO HEAT ROCK! (burns)

I have 3 cats Will the iguana and the 3 cats co exist peacefully if I let it roam the house while the cats are inside?
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He will probably be scared of the cats..may stress him out. I would try to let him roam in a room separate from the cats or under CLOSE supervision. Eventually he may get used to them but injuries can happen when your head is turned no matter how well you think they get along. Always be wary.

also I have only been using the heat lamp during the day and then turning it off when its sleep time.
the house is at 70 degrees
is that ok? or too cold?
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You need to get a thermometer to check all your temps...day and night but 70 is a bit cold for them at night. You can get a separate lamp for night time use. I use a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) that gives off no light. They last a long time but can be a bit pricey. I've had mine a year I think and it's still going. Check out herpsupplies.com. You can also look into radient heat panels (Mr. D knows more about them) or ask the guy at herpsupplies.com since he is pretty helpful. Set your stuff up on timers..it was the smartest thing I ever did! Cheap and so convenient!

Any helfpul hints would be appreciated.
Seemed it was hacking/coughing a few times last night
but my friend said iguanas dont cough
Maybe it breathed some dust from exploring every crevice of my house including under the sofa and behind a huge wall panel?
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Normally I would say this sounds bad but Slee has a habit of doing that from time to time and freaking me out completely! It is always when he is out and about in the house. Since I have long hair and shed pretty badly, he often eats my hair when he licks around (later I see it coming out with his poop from time to time). So my theory is that the hacking is him trying to cough out a hair. It's really quite a horrible sound. He also did it once when he fell from a great distance. I took him to the vet and they said he was fine. I figured he knocked the air out of his lungs. Anyway, if he is exhibiting abnormal behavior beyond that or seems sickly and lethargic, get him to the vet immediately as it could be something more serious. If he is active and eating well, it could just be something stuck in his throat. Try to keep the house picked up so he doesn't eat anything (I try with my hair but it is impossible!).

You need to find a good vet for the future. Also, take in a fresh stool sample to get it checked for worms/parasites. Good luck.

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