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Post by Tesa on Dec 8, 2004 3:40:15 GMT -8
hey tesa! if you get a repeat of our other message, ignore it. I hit the wrong btton. By the way , I would be honored if you posted our messages.I didn't know other people were interested. Mabe I could send a few pics for them to see.When I said they didn't fight I ment they werent hurting each other . They will bicker over basking spots, but otherwise they will lay thier heads on eachothers backs and sleep together. They were born to the same mother, and so they grew up together. My uncle who had them until they were three said they never tried to hurt each other. As of now Rex is staying up by the light and eating what food I leave up there. He is starting to move around some more. He can use his legs to latch on the wire with but still can't bear enough weight to stand up for long. Oh well, at least he isn't finding a spot to sit in and waiting to die. If he's willing to eat and move he most likely has a will to live. Thanks for showing your support, Austen.
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Post by Tesa on Dec 8, 2004 3:39:40 GMT -8
Hi Austen > Actually, they weren't getting enough calcium. The diet is supposed >to contain twice as much calcium as phosphorus. Without it, their bodies >suck calcium from their bones into the bloodstream, consequently damaging >the skeletal system, internal organs and the nervous system. > The diet you refer to know sounds great. Remember a BIG majority of >their food should be greens, but you can add more vegetables to the mix. >Butternut squash and green beans would be a great start. Make sure you cut >them into VERY small pieces so they can be more easily digested. (I run >mine thru a little 10 dollar food processor from Wal Mart. They end up >being about the size of rice.) > Quite frankly, you are giving me conflicting information. In your >post on IZ, you stated that Mary wasn't showing any aggression towards Rex, >but now you say they are fighting over it?? If there was one fight, there >will be more. They need to have separate housing immediately before there >is another incident. I use plastic coated wire shelves for them to climb >on. Its a heck of alot easier to clean! > Would you mind if I post our emails to Iguana-Zone? People are >wanting to know how Rex is doing. And I'm positive others can add to the >advice I've given you so far. >Is Rex able to move any better? Is he eating? Is he going into the basking >area?? >Lemme know :-) >--Tesa
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Post by Tesa on Dec 8, 2004 3:38:13 GMT -8
Hi tesa. I got your message, and it turns out I wasn't giving them >enough > iron or phosphorus. I decided to remalence thier diet to a mixed salad >of > collard greens, mustard greens, dandilions,alfalfa,and water cress. I >will > also try to get them some spagetti squash. Since I have more than I can > stand out here in the dessert I will stert gining them stripped prickly >pair > as treats(I never thought they would eat those).I decided that they had >to > little scafolding and that was why they were getting if fights over it. > tomorrow I will get them on some new food and get some more sanded >branches > and bark for them to climb on. Email me, new devoted owner, Austen >
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Post by Tesa on Dec 8, 2004 3:35:55 GMT -8
Hi Austin, Ig bones will get brittle when they have a poor diet, and honestly, his diet needs an overhaul. The only "staple" food item you have listed are the mustard greens. The overall diet needs to have a 2:1 calcium:phosphorus ratio. Have you looked at the food chart on IZ? webpages.charter.net/tesa64735/Revised2.htm I have nutritional information for quite a few items and color coded them so it's easy to know which are the best. Collard greens should be a primary food option as they have a 14:1 ratio. As I said before, unfortunately we cannot diagnose the lil guy via internet. If something is broken, it will be nearly healed (possibly incorrectly) by the time you are able to get him to a vet. :-( My biggest ig has one arm that she cannot bend because it was broken (about 2 years before she came to live with me) and healed wrong. The best thing you can do is make sure his temps and lighting are correct. btw: When you say a "U.V. light".......are you certain it's a UVB light?? or simply UVA or full spectrum? Im sorry that I can't be more helpful :-( --Tesa
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Post by Tesa on Dec 8, 2004 3:35:03 GMT -8
Here is the recent correspondance between Austen and I. Ya'll put your 2 cents in. Thanks I inderstand, I guess I just feel a little helpless that I can't do anything but hope Rex gets better. He's bene eating well, and has bene sleeping alot.If he can make till the first I will take him to the local vet. I suspect it is is something with his hip because of the way I saw him when he fell. I have a large piece of bark up on a few branches below a U.V. light that is on top of the wiring of the cage. I think he whipped at Lady(he's very territorial,fell off the side ,and hit his side on the food dish. He was sitting in a way that was very wierd,upright on his tail like a human sits, and was able to turn himself around on his belly again. I have heard that their bones get brittle because of their diet. I feed the a mix of romain lettuce, mustard greens, celary, spinach and carrots. I also feed them tomatoes, kiwi, and bananas. If you have an opinion to share please respond.
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Post by Tesa on Dec 2, 2004 15:18:36 GMT -8
Hi Austen.....and welcome to IZ. Unfortunately, this is one of those instances where there is nothing we can do for you via internet. He absolutely needs to see a vet....period. Did this come on suddenly or over a period of time??
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Hiya.
Dec 1, 2004 3:48:54 GMT -8
Post by Tesa on Dec 1, 2004 3:48:54 GMT -8
Hi Jen Glad to have you back with us.
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Post by Tesa on Nov 27, 2004 7:44:47 GMT -8
Hi John! I'm very glad you found us. Sounds like whichever of these two you end up keeping is gonna be a very lucky ig. I'm impressed that you are putting so much effort into making things right for them. Cheers and welcome to IZ.
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Post by Tesa on Nov 13, 2004 13:14:28 GMT -8
Hi Samur! Welcome to Iguana Zone! I'm glad we are able to help you learn!
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Ello.
Nov 12, 2004 18:43:35 GMT -8
Post by Tesa on Nov 12, 2004 18:43:35 GMT -8
Hiya Hope I had to laugh out loud literally at "no more imitating helicopters" ;D My kids call our little guy propeller-butt ! IZ is lucky to have some spectacularly friendly and helpful members. Welcome to our little family.
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Post by Tesa on Nov 13, 2004 23:44:29 GMT -8
Well Steph......now I feel guilty for you to have so much work to do. ;D
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Post by Tesa on Nov 9, 2004 3:41:25 GMT -8
AHA!!!!! Welcome back Steph!! I've missed you! (How come I don't have a "hug" emoticon on here?? )
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Post by Tesa on Nov 2, 2004 4:36:49 GMT -8
Hi Carol! Tell us more about your babies. How old are they etc.? Do ya have any pics? Welcome to Iguana Zone!!
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Hello
Oct 10, 2004 4:38:02 GMT -8
Post by Tesa on Oct 10, 2004 4:38:02 GMT -8
Hi Kristin. Welcome to IZ.
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Post by Tesa on Sept 24, 2004 4:44:36 GMT -8
Hi Missy, The keys to having a healthy iguana is providing proper lighting, diet and temperature. A proper diet for an iguana contains twice as much Calcium as Phosphorus. As I'm sure you've read by now, he needs a GOOD source of UVB lighting. His bones cannot properly absorb the calcium without it. People are often misled by manufacturers labels on lightbulbs that show an iguana basking. If the light is shaped like a regular household bulb it is NOT one that emits UVB. Please check back with us if you need further assistance in this area. I remember being very confused when I started. Collards are THE number one food item. Please follow the link below for more information on diet. webpages.charter.net/tesa64735/Revised2.htmWe're here to help all we can, so please feel free to ask any questions you have. We will do our best to answer them. Welcome to IZ.
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