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Post by Desiree on Jan 15, 2004 18:16:23 GMT -8
I have not written in a while, because we have been very busy at the hospital. Anyway Frankie has been driving me crazy with racing around his cage trying to get out. He has rubbed his nose really bad and now I am putting triple anitbiotics on it. His eating habits have been little to none. Nothing has changed in his environment or his routine. Tonight I picked him up and noticed his rib cage didn't seem right. I have not noticed it before. I tried to find a decent pic of an iguanas rib cage but have not found any. I am almost positive at least two are broke. It feel weird. I have the right heat, and UVB? He is suppose to be eating collard greens mustard greens and squash. There are other foods. Everything thing he eats is suppose to be good for him. I just don't want to bore you with the list. I feel like I am a bad ig mom. I am going to be taking him to work tomorrow to get some xrays done. The Drs I work for aren't reptile experts so once I get the xrays done. I will have to take him to the reptile vet. I just hope his ribs can be fixed. I don't understand what I did wrong. My other iguana is fine.
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Post by Yoda on Jan 15, 2004 18:30:31 GMT -8
HEY STOP IT....YOU ARE NOT A BAD MOM...OR YOU WOULDNT HAVE EVEN NOTICED THE PROBLEM AT ALLL...
Animals do get hurt for one reason or another....just like people....Just be calm and see a vet (ASAP) and keep the UVB and healthy food comming....
James and Yoda
JAMES AND YODA
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Post by Desiree on Jan 15, 2004 18:38:06 GMT -8
Here is one pic of his ribs. He is under his infrared light so sorry about the color. here is another view. Not too sure if you can see the ribs well here. And lastly here is a pic of his nose job he gave himself.
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Post by Yoda on Jan 15, 2004 19:06:59 GMT -8
Is this the area .....
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Post by Desiree on Jan 15, 2004 19:17:04 GMT -8
If you look in the this pic you can see something sticking out.
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Post by Yoda on Jan 15, 2004 19:42:08 GMT -8
I can see it now ...you are going to worry yourself sick....dont do that...
Just see a vet ASAP and do not worry about things you have no controll over....If it is a broken rib....I assure you ...It has happened to many a Ig that came through just fine...due to the fact they had loving owners just like you !
The only thing I may suggest (with my limited experiance) is Blood IN the POOP..( this would indicate (if infact it is a broken rib) that there has also been organ damage....if you see this I woud make a immidiate Emergancy Rush...call in the middle of the night vet trip.
James and Yoda
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Post by Desiree on Jan 15, 2004 19:56:09 GMT -8
I am worried because I work for a vet. I am a vet assistant. The Drs I work for just don't take care of reptiles. I see a lot of things at my job. I am suppose to set an example for our client. That is why I am upset. I am going to be taking him to work tomorrow and start with some xrays. There has been no blood in his stool. He has been acting really weird lately. I was trying to to check out my other pics to see if it was just something I didn't notice. I haven't seen anything yet. So at least I know it hasn't been very long. His color is good, and he is not dehydrated. The plus is he used his water box today after not using it for a week and going in other places. I will post what the xrays say tomorrow night when we get home.
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Post by Yoda on Jan 15, 2004 20:14:01 GMT -8
;D\ OK...I didnt realize you worked for a vet...I appologize...as im sure you probably know better than me..I can tell you are really taking this to heart and than can be tough mentally...so if it helps any... I dont care if you are the best vet in the world....You cant stop a Iggy from being a Igggy and sometimes injury's happen...just like the kid on a bike that wipes out and skins his knees ...or breaks a leg falling out of a tree ....that dosn't mean the childs injury is a result of bad parenting ......SO DON'T BE HARD ON YOURSELF......OK.. James and Yoda
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Post by Tesa on Jan 16, 2004 5:19:24 GMT -8
Desiree, James is right! Don't be so hard on yourself! It sounds as tho he may have injured himself while he was ruinning around like a freak. SOMETHING definately isn't right!He sure has done a number on his nose. How long has that been going on? Is he in season? How tall is his cage? Good Luck! Let us know what happens!
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Post by Desiree on Jan 16, 2004 6:20:03 GMT -8
James I am sorry if I seemed like I snapped last night. And you are right I shouldn't think it is my fault. Frankie is just over a year and I am very worried about doing something wrong. Tesa I am not sure if Frankie is a girl or boy. I refer to him as a boy, because my husband wanted a male even though I really think he is a she. lol He has been acting weird by running around his cage for about 2 weeks now. I thought it was environmental. I had taken him out of his cage more to roam around. With supervision. It is very very cold outside and everyone is getting a little cabin fever right about now. We have had temps at 40 below. His cage has not changed temp at all though. My fear now is trasporting him in this bitter cold. Because of the low temps my car just isn't warming up inside like it is suppose to. By the time got to work yesterday I thought I was an ice cube! I really don't know what to do at this point. The closest vet is 50 miles away. That is where I work. I spent all last night and this morning trying to figure out how to keep him warm and get him to work without freezing him to death. I am still not sure how I am going to do it. This is his cage: It is not small by any means. He has been in it for almost a year now. We had made some changes to the inside of his cage but that was done about 3-4 months ago. He stopped using his water box and is not eating the way he use too. Again, I thought it was because of the colder months. He spends most of his time now scratching at the cage trying to get out.
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Post by WillemsMom on Jan 16, 2004 10:50:36 GMT -8
Hi Desiree.. So much! First I agree with EVERYTHING James is trying so caringly to tell you. Try to ease up on yourself. You'll be able to think more clearly if you can. I don't know anything about broken ribs in an ig and I can see what you were pointing out in your pics.
But it is hardly your fault! I'm afraid of injury to Will in his new enclosure. He has to jump alot from ledge to ledge and I'm not happy with that. I have to set up something like James has so he can climb instead of jump.
I understand the catch 22 you're in with your cold car. sigh... Are there any kinds of heaters you can plug into the cigarette lighter. I hope so for your sake, too. not great to feel like an ice cube.
and lastly your cage looks wonderful to me. So generous in size.
I know there are others in this group more well informed than I about ig behavior, so let's see what they come up with.
One thing, I am wondering though. Does your ig get enough humidity. I had to make rapid changes in Will's environment as the heat in his enclosure was drying out all the humidity I thought would be enough.
Good luck!
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Post by WillemsMom on Jan 16, 2004 10:53:49 GMT -8
If Willie ever gets injured I hope you will post consoling words to me as you did for Desiree. Your posts are so nice. I know you have a loving and gentle heart. I just had to say that.
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Post by Yoda on Jan 16, 2004 15:50:27 GMT -8
No appologies nessicary...I am glad to hear you woke up this morning with a clearer mind on the issue.... and I was happy to be on line at the time and do what I could... As far as the cold weather....I understand your concerns I am in Sudbury Ontario..and we had winchils of -45 last few days...let me tell ya I thought my nipples were going to blow off ...while clearing the ice from my car.... What you can do is goto a hunting supply store(Wallmart even) and get yourself a couple of hot packs....(the big ones...) if you place these inside a large box under some towels and blankets (or a large cooler) they will provide plenty of heat ... for up to 4 hours..( you can check this by placing a temperature gauge in there with him)your iggy is big enough that keeping him at 70-75 for the trip will be plenty warm enough ..Im not sure how he will like being in a box....but it will all be in the name of love right and for his own good.. ...as for you Nance I will be here (allong with my limited knowledge any time you need me .... James and Yoda
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Post by Yoda on Jan 16, 2004 15:54:25 GMT -8
oh ya ....I forgot one more thing... If you take a peice of cardbord and slide it infront of your radiator ...on the car ....you will get more heat ...just tie it in with some wire ...I do this every winter ...you only need to block about 2/3 of the radiator .... James andYoda
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Post by Desiree on Jan 17, 2004 5:02:45 GMT -8
I am sorry if I was snappy the other day You were right I was very upset. I joined this Message board to get input and try to help others. I wanted to Thank everyone for their support. I talked to the Dr and am going in Tuesday for x-rays. The temp is going to be a lot warmer by then. I will know more by that night. I am also going to get those heating packs that Yoda suggested to help transport him. Thanks again.
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