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Post by crazymonkey21 on May 25, 2004 13:56:10 GMT -8
Hi everyone! long time no talk. So here is the thing, I work at a zoo in NJ, we recently had an iguana dropped off and since im the crazy reptile person its in my care. She is in really bad shape. her spine is slightly curved I guess due to MBD, there is something way wrong with her dew lap, she wont use her back legs and she has an abscess on the bottom of her jaw and the lady said she hadent eaten good since last tuesday (when her son was put in jail, it was his) but i can tell by lookin at her she never was really fed good. there was a bowl of pellets in there, who knows what kind. ARG PEOPLE! Last night I tried to get her to eat some greens, fruit and veggies but no luck. My idea is to blend together a mix and try to get her to eat through a seringe. Im not sure if she is just weak so thats why she cant move her legs or what. Any ideas would be helpful. A lot of vets around here that ive tried dont know THAT much about iggys, I think they will tell me all of which what i already know. What do you think? If she doesnt perk up tomorrow she is definitly going to the vet... help help!
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Post by Kerrydaktyl on May 25, 2004 14:18:30 GMT -8
Aw poor thing I hope she gets better, and that her owner doesnt want ther back when/if hes out! I cant be much help on the medical front Im afraid.
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Post by crazymonkey21 on May 25, 2004 14:32:53 GMT -8
he isnt getting her back. Not with her being in that condition. Ill fight it to the end. She just at 6 ccs on my "special mix" for me. Im gonna give her another 6 in a few hours i just dont want to stress her too much or make her more sick since she isnt use to those foods. Im tryin to just nurse her back to the point where she has strength to walk, hopefully thats the only problem with her not walking. and then Im going to take her to the vet for all the other stuff. I just want to get her to the point where she can atleast hold her head up in the cage. She held it up when she was in my lap but then I put her back and she is just laying flat. Poor girl! Ill keep yall updated! Thanks for the concern! And any advice will help! Jess and the sick iggy
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Post by dominick on May 25, 2004 16:13:28 GMT -8
Hi Jess-
Where in NJ are you? Are you at the Bridgeton Zoo? Perhaps I can help you in person.
The Iguana sounds like she is very sick, probably due to advanced MBD.
Protocol dictates: Vet for Calcium injection, Strong UVB exposure, high Calcium food. All of these will boost the Iguanas healing powers and get her on the road to recovery.
Please e-mail me privately at: Dakota219000@yahoo.com
We should talk. I have many resources to offer you.
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Post by Tesa on May 26, 2004 4:19:31 GMT -8
I slight raise in temps will help her also, and it sounds as if she needs antibiotics for the abcess. She definately needs a vet ASAP. Heck, tell THEM what to do if you have to! Use mainly collard greens for her food. They have the highest Calcium>Phosphorus ratio. And as Dom said...LOTS of UVB exposure. It sounds as if she is pretty far gone. I hope she can recover. Please contact Dom.
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Post by dominick on May 28, 2004 14:04:09 GMT -8
Hi Folks- Since Jessie is not able to get on-line due to a recent move, I thought I'd fill you in on the condition of the Iguana. I traveled to the zoo where Jessie works this morning to assess the Iguana and be sure the care protocols I gave them are accurate for her condition. This adult female Iguana is suffering from advanced MBD. She has lost the use of her hind legs and when she arrived she was very listless and didn't have the strength to even lift her head. This is her in the cage when I arrived this morning: When I opened the cage to get her out she immediately started to head-bob and gape at me! This was wonderful news as Jess and the Zoo Keeper said that up until today she was unable to even lift her head. So, we were very excited about that. Good improvement in only a few days time. Here she is lifted out of the cage: Next, I performed a standard check on her (much gratitude to Bob Mac and Darry for showing me all to look for when I met them in NC). She was alert, bright-eyed and quite feisty for her condition. Here she is trying to get away from us while I tried to snap a photo: Aside from the obvious advanced MBD, she has some lumps on her that we are looking into. Here, the dewlap is thick in front with some sort of fatty deposit: Also, she has a bump on her lower jaw that we'll deal with after she is out of danger: And here's a pretty peacock ;D : Jessie is doing a wonderful job force-feeding the Iguana (who has no known name) and nursing her back to health. The prognosis is very good indeed as she has shown much improvement already and did in fact recoil and move her hind legs a bit today! So, we'll continue our prescribed course and get this big girl back up and moving around in no time! I'll update you as things progress. I am very appreciative of the Zoo management for letting me in to the zoo "hospital" to examine this Iguana and being so kind and cooperative with me. The zoo itself is very impressive for a privately funded institution. I would recommend it to anyone in the area.
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Post by Tesa on May 28, 2004 14:28:56 GMT -8
All very interesting stuff Dom! Who da MAN!?!?
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Post by prism_wolf on May 29, 2004 12:25:39 GMT -8
It's amazing what igs can recover from. They are so fragile with needing the precise care...but so willing to recover when the right care was missing and then aggressive treatment administered. Even igs with rear pyralisis (sp?) can regain movement. Dehydration is also another serious factor for sick igs like this. Any slurry made should be made with pedialyte for about a week. Unfortuantely...bone deformities do not recover. They will stay deformed, but her prognosis sounds very good. There is a slurry I highly recommend for rehabbing igs: www.iguanaden.com/health/slurry.htmI wish them both luck. I'm glad you could get there Dom! And what a gorgeous peacock!! A zoo in CA had one when my kids were small. I would LOVE to have some of those feathers...*drool* Another good link in rehabbing in general: www.iguanaden.com/health/rehab.htm
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Post by crazymonkey21 on May 31, 2004 10:43:56 GMT -8
Hello everyone! I finally got a chance to get online at my parents. I have an AMAZING story for you but first I wanted to let everyone know she has been named Neera (its the female iguanadon on Disneys Dinosaurs). I would also like to thank Dom a million times for coming up to the zoo! It was greatly greatly apreciated! Dom stoped by the zoo again on Saturday with his wonderful family! He talked to Bob Mac and Neera is on B12 supplements 3 times a day and Baytril once a day. Ok so for the amazing story... Neera has been going in and out of it. One minute she is strong and bobbin her head the next she is way out there. But we got home from a party on Saturday night and Neera was in BAD BAD shape. She was gasping for air, barely had a pulse, was completly limp and was really dark in color. I picked her up, knowing there wasnt much we could do for her as she was clearly "checking out" I was so upset. She died in my boyfriends arms. She didnt take any more breaths and she had no pulse. I felt horrible, she is so lovable and I got very attached to her. We put her back in her cage and went to bed, planing on burrying her the next morning. We woke up the next day and to our suprise her color was back so my boyfriend nudged her cage and she bobbed her head very annoyed at him! She was alive! ;D The miracle iguana! So she is extra special now, I went to work the next day and told everyone what happend and they were as amazed as we were! She is doing good now. This morning she tried biting me, I was very proud of her! Im really concerned about her not going to the bathroom thou, I havent fed her like Dom said but its really worrying me. She gets soaked 3 times a day. But nothing. If she doesnt go tonight Im gonna give Dom or Bob a call to see what I can do for her. Thanks for everyones concern! I really appreciate everyones help! I will keep u updated as much as possible! Jess
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Post by dominick on May 31, 2004 18:15:51 GMT -8
Hi Folks-
Time for an update:
Neera has faded in and out of strength today and after several phone calls between Jessie, Bob and myself it was decided the best course of action is euthanization. She will be euthanized at the vets office tomorrow, if she makes it through tonight.
Neera is suffering the effects of advanced MBD, the treatment, while promising at first has fallen back to this in and out state. We strongly suspect that there is something else at play here. Either she is in advanced renal failure (VERY orange with practically no green pigment left in her skin), or egg-bound, in which case a drive to upstate NY and a hefty vet fee won't guarantee that she will survive the surgery or the possible renal failure.
She is, at this time suffering greatly. All things considered, we wish to end her suffering and let her go to the Rainbow Tree and suffer no more.
Jessie has gone to great lengths to take good care of Neera and try to bring her around. I applaude her tremendous effort and the extra measures she went to, including calling out for help.
Our sincerest thanks to Bob Mac for enduring the countless phone calls in our effort to save this poor Iguana.
I'm extremely sad to report this latest development. Jessie, my wife and I have grown attached to this sweet girl in the short time she has been with us. We no longer want her to suffer.
Please say a prayer for our sweet Neera as she passes onto the Rainbow Tree.
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Post by prism_wolf on May 31, 2004 18:31:35 GMT -8
Sweet Dreams Neera...may angels wings keep you warm.
As the Rainbow Bridge opens up To the sleek green body that now comes upon it The edges lined with jeweled eyes Dewlaps held out bold yet welcoming Showing the way to peace and comfort. Another soul now has found her way To the home beyond the place Where kind and caring hands tried to make the best Of what they had to offer. The pain fades away like a distant memory The dawn of a new sun radiating The warmth of a new world upon her As Neera waits for the ones who gave her love.
Author - Veronica Jennings 3/19/0
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Post by Tesa on Jun 1, 2004 1:53:37 GMT -8
Awww I'm so sorry you guys! I know you did everything you could to save her and she will be taking a piece of your hearts with her. You are all wonderful. **hugs to all**
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Post by Cyndi on Jun 1, 2004 4:13:10 GMT -8
What a story There are no words ...
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Post by Lyn on Jun 1, 2004 4:58:09 GMT -8
That is so sad...I have hugged all my iguanas because of this...well except for Einstein my new guy...a little too feisty yet to hug....My prayers are with you today....Lyn
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Post by Kerrydaktyl on Jun 1, 2004 5:28:03 GMT -8
Oh poor Neera, sounds like she was a fighter but her condition was just too far gone
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