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Post by annaj on Oct 28, 2004 9:56:33 GMT -8
Wondering what is going on with Grandma's iggy, no reptile vet in area. Here are the symptoms:
swollen lower jaw
swollen back leg at the top
not eating well
not drinking very well
Is not having regular bowel movements, but will go in water
saliva is abnormally thick
no discharge from eyes or nose
tongue is really red on tip, but tongue is not swollen
body color is still good
activity level has gone down
he has a hot rock, but it is the kind that evenly distributes heat, has had for one year.
Spends the majority of the time sitting on his hot rock.
He has a heated lamp that sits on top of his cage.
Has not had a calcium supplement, could this be a problem? Also, he has never had a vit. K shot.
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Post by Tesa on Oct 28, 2004 10:12:31 GMT -8
 It sounds like symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease. This is very common in iguanas who have a lack of calcium in their diet, or (and very importantly) a lack of UVB rays provided by either natural unfiltered sunlight, or by a special bulb/tube. Iguanas need UVB rays in order to metabolize Vitamin D3, which aids in the absorption of calcium. MBD is a deadly disease. It can be stopped if the iguana is not too far gone, and if you act quickly. A visit to a reptile vet would be best, but if that's not possible, it will be up to you to quickly provide both a change in diet, calcium supplements, and proper lighting. Here's a link for more information. Please come back with any further questions you have. Everyone here is kind and willing to help. www.anapsid.org/mbd.html |
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Post by Tesa on Oct 28, 2004 10:17:35 GMT -8
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Post by IguanaKing on Oct 28, 2004 10:19:42 GMT -8
Your Grandma's iguana is in SERIOUS trouble. The symptoms you describe indicate severely advanced MBD (Metabollic Bone Disease). It looks also, from your mentioning abnormally thick saliva, that the iguana also may have Stomatitis. Calcium supplements are definitely needed in this case. What kind of UVB lighting does he have? What is he being fed? Please try to respond to our questions as quickly as you possibly can, this iguana is VERY near death. Where does he live? Is it still warm there? One of the best things for him right now is natural sunlight, he needs at least 30 minutes per day, preferably longer. I know the hot rock has been in use for a while without problems...BUT...when it DOES have a problem (its only a question of when) it will cause severe injury to the iguana. You need to find another method for keeping him warm and get rid of the hot rock.
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Post by prism_wolf on Oct 29, 2004 10:17:48 GMT -8
Tesa and IK are right. This is a serious, yet reversable didease. It is also the #1 killer of iguanas. You may not have a vet close, but you may have one close enough to travel to. I travel 3 hours round trip for mine. With exotics this is something we just have to do. What city/state do you live in? There are several online herp vet finders available such as: www.herpvetconnection.comwww.anapsid.org/vets/index.htmlwww.arav.org/USMembers.htm |
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Post by prism_wolf on Oct 29, 2004 10:31:39 GMT -8
More detailed answers to your questions:
All classic signs of MBD.
Because no food/water going in and what might be is not processing properly.
Could be from stomatitis as IK pointed out and/or severe dehydration.
Normal. Igs tongues are much pinker and sometimes nearly red at the tip.
Once he/she gets feeling better the color may become more vibrant.
Because he/she is very, very sick.
It's could be just a matter of time before it malfunctions. Igs are heliotherms which means they get their heat from the air around them. Bottm heat has the potential to cook the food in the igs belly rendering it useless in nutrients and possibly damaging internal organs.
But does he have a UVB source? A heat lamp is not enough...and the heat lamp only works well if you have the proper temps. 92-96 in the basking area.
If he had all the proper requirements from the beginning (heat gradients, UVB lighting, diet) he wouldn't need a calcium or vitamin supplement. He will need a calcium injection now from the vet.
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It sounds like symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease. This is very common in iguanas who have a lack of calcium in their diet, or (and very importantly) a lack of UVB rays provided by either natural unfiltered sunlight, or by a special bulb/tube. 
