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Post by WillemsMom on Sept 23, 2004 19:06:19 GMT -8
Awwww..I know you love him and he knows it too. That is really important. Tomorrow maybe one of us can find a Rescue Agency in New Foundland. Its a good start. THANKS!
It's really bad that no one in your family will help you take him to a Vet. Is your mom there?
You have a good heart and I'm sure Zeke can feel it.
Blessings to you both. Nancy
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Nanshe
Senior
I am owned by Elvis & Angel :)
Posts: 167
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Post by Nanshe on Sept 23, 2004 23:59:43 GMT -8
Just hang in there hon (((hugs))) I know how incredibly painful and hard this has got to be for you. If you're willing to let Zeke go to a rescue, I'll see if I can find one that can help him out - I live in the states, so it'll have to be via the internet - but I'll point them in this direction to hook up with you.
If you could send me your email address that might help a bit more with someone else being able to get in touch with you in regards to Zeke - if you want, you can drop me an email at:
nanshes@yahoo.com
That way I'll have your address and can forward it on to a rescue that's willing to help.
Keep your spirits up, and know that all the battling you've done on Zekes behalf is appreciated - by Zeke AND by iguana lovers - hang in there......
~Nan
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Post by zeke101 on Sept 24, 2004 9:48:49 GMT -8
Well my parents are split up, and my mom doesn't like iguanas either..
Zeke doesn't seem to be getting worse.. He's on my window ledge now, basking in the sun.. He seems to be trying really hard to eat tho!
My email address is melissa_pelley@hotmail.com..
-Mel..
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Post by WillemsMom on Sept 24, 2004 9:57:56 GMT -8
Your post is so sweet! I think Zeke is trying to get well because he knows how much you love him. And he's getting better because you love him. It works that way. But, he still needs to see a vet!!!!
I'm sorry about your Mom and Dad. I can understand that you and Zeke need each other.
I hope one of us will be able to help you soon.
Love, Nancy
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Post by WillemsMom on Sept 24, 2004 11:13:01 GMT -8
I just checked nanshe's post to you that she placed at 5:11.am on 9/23. It has a click on link. When you get there click on NewFoundland. After that click on 709. It will list several agencies that might be able to help you. Maybe they will know of a good vet who will help you. Call and ask as many questions as you can. If nothing comes of it, at least you'll know you did the very best you could for your little friend.
GOOD LUCK!
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Nanshe
Senior
I am owned by Elvis & Angel :)
Posts: 167
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Post by Nanshe on Sept 24, 2004 18:29:52 GMT -8
Nance -
Excellent advice!
I also sent emails to the 4 shelters closest to St. Johns in hopes of hearing back. Even if the shelters don't handle reptiles, they may know someone who does, or know of an organization who does - I was hoping to hear something back today - but no luck - having Zeke's momma call them direct is an excellent idea!
Also, getting Zeke to natural sunlight is just about the single most important thing you can do! Have you taken him outside yet? If you do (and if you can you really should, he'll just love the natural sunlight!) be sure to secure him so he can't get away.
Anyway, as soon as I get word back from the shelters, I'll let you know! Also, if you can call them, let me know what you find out okay?
~Nan
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Post by Yoda on Sept 25, 2004 8:19:59 GMT -8
hello all,
Yes ite me Yoda... some of you will remember me and some will not ,
I have not gone anywhere , I have been reading and enjoying all the great post from everyone ...however I feel compelled to reply on this post....
Some times it is not possible for various reasons for a Ig owner to get their pet to a vet for help ..and I will not go into that right now ...In these extremne circumstances we must do what we can for our loved pet.........
The symtoms definatly sound like MBD and if you cannot get the animal to the vet you have no choice but to play vet yourself .... this Iggy's needs calcium and to be able to process vit D ...If the Ig will not eat on its own you still have a responsibility to get nutriants into the animal.
I would suggest you get out the family blender and make a pure... and force feed this Iggy (sounds harsh I know ) ...this will involve the help of a family member ..
The pure ...should consist of calcium rich vegies like Collards and Buttrernut squash ...I would also get some calcium tablets from the local drug store and crush 1/3-1/2 a tablet into approx 2 cups of puree...once blended the whole thing should look like a thin runny slop...
You will need a plastic syrenge to suck the slop up into ....now you will need someone to hold the Iggy while you gently pull down on the Dewlap and squirt the mixture into the Iggy's mouth ....your Iggy will not likley enjoy this procedure ....... however your Iggy needs nutrition NOW.
As long as your Iggy is not getting the calcim he/she needs it will contine to steal from its own bones...
The next thing you need to do is get this Iggy direct unfiltered sunlight .....that means OUTSIDE ... not sitting in a window...I realize you are on the East Coastand this time of year means the onset of the Fall -cool weather...so you will need to also beg-borrow and get some cash and get a decent UV producing light .
You iggy's Imune system will also be degraded right now so you will want to remove all possible bactiria breeding areas from the enclosure . you also need to be aware that with the onset of MBD and weakend bone structure the Iggy's bones will become more fragile ...be aware of this and remove anything in the enclosure that could cause a fall ..... any leges should be a minimum of three times the width of your Iggys body at the widest point.
So the three most important things right now are ..
#1 Get some nutriants into this animal daily....(force feed if you must)- pure "slop"
#2 Provide extra calcium...supplement.- crushed human calcium tablets---
#3 Provide LOTS of unfiultered Sunlight (outdoors) and or purchase a proven UVB producing light and ensure you Iggy has no choice but to remain under it....(remove all cahe furniture if nessicary.)
Please be aware I am nor a re habber or a vet , and this Information is simply what I would do in your situation.....
This information may not reflect the veiws or opinions of The Iguana Zone -members or managment and a visit to a qualified vet is always the best advice.
Regards
James and Yoda
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 25, 2004 9:41:59 GMT -8
Hello Yoda~ Glad you felt compelled to respond. Yes...there are ways to do this yourself. I just know for a young person, this is a duanting task. The puree` or "slurry" used to get food into him is a very important issue. If not done right you can aspirate the ig. The airway is under the front of the tongue, so as long as the syringe is inserted in the rear of the mouth (at the corners) you will bybass this problem. There is a great way to give a slurry. Here is the link: www.iguanaden.com/health/slurry.htmIf you cannot find all the items, use all the ones you can find. Offer to do extra chores...is there a couple of CDs you don't listen to anymore? You might find someone who will buy them. Same for anything else you may have but don't use anymore. If your dad sees how hard you are working for this ig, maybe he will be more inclined to help.
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Post by Lyn on Sept 25, 2004 10:35:37 GMT -8
Hey James glad to see you...and always ALWAYS feel compelled to answer questions lol....glad you could join us and as always your info is tops ....Lyn
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Post by Yoda on Sept 25, 2004 10:44:57 GMT -8
Prism_Wolf
Very good points...on the risks ..and avoiding the airway...
and yes ...the whole thing will be a little traumatic im sure for both Iggy and owner...
There are always risks when "Playing Vet" however I believe the risk is worth taking ONLY if and when It is the LAST RESORT... the" waithing till I can afford it" syndrome has been the demise of many Iguanas.
We are talking about a Iguana that is not likley to be able to see a vet any time soon...due to the lack of support or care from the adults in the household.... this Iggy needs someone to do somthing right away.....and attempting somthing is far better than dooing nothing.....IMO..
Great link.. BTW
James and Yoda.....
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Post by prism_wolf on Sept 25, 2004 11:32:02 GMT -8
You're right James. In this case...I definitely think self-help for this ig is what is needed. Fortunately, the foods for the slurry are very inexpensive. It won't take much to dig up what's needed.
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Post by WillemsMom on Sept 25, 2004 15:36:27 GMT -8
Hi James, now it's my turn to say i'm so glad your are back and following this thread.
I've been thinking along the same lines as you. I think we may need to walk Zeke's Buddy through this. You have made a great start!
To Zeke's Buddy..is there anything here you don't understand or can't do. The force feeding is certainly a two person job..do you think your Dad would help you with this part. Remember, Zeke's bones are probably very fragile.. so handle him firmly, and try not to let him wiggle. I gave Willie his slop/slurry through a dropper I got at the pharmacy. Just make sure the hole is big enough for the slurry to go through.
I'm laughing a little to myself now..how many movies have we seen where for one reason or another a pilot can't land his plane and folks on the ground are trying to bring him in safely.
We're your ground crew and your Zeke's Pilot, trying to bring him successfully back to health. You can do it. We're all here rooting for you and ready to help!
Love, Willem and his Mom
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Post by IguanaKing on Sept 25, 2004 16:51:09 GMT -8
Welcome back James ;D Actually, I'm relatively new here myself and hadn't seen you before, but this is definitely good advice you have.
I would like to add to the force-feeding discussion. Like Nancy said, he should not be allowed to wiggle as his bones are very fragile at this point. Melissa, you should probably wrap him in a towel before attempting this. If he's wrapped up fairly tightly...not too tight though...he shouldn't be able to thrash around and cause himself more injury. Also, when pulling his dewlap to open his mouth, be very careful to only grab the tip of the dewlap where it attaches to the chin. Directly behind that is the bone that moves the dewlap, this is a very easy bone to break, even in a healthy ig. If you gently feel around on his dewlap you should be able to locate this bone and avoid pulling on it.
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Post by zeke101 on Sept 26, 2004 5:40:22 GMT -8
Thank you all very much for the tips. I just got a hold of a suringe from my friend (i'm going to seralyze it first) and i still have to get a hold of a blender from my mom.. I'm going to try to feed him this way.. and i'm going to call into our local veterinarian office and ask if they give services for iguanas.. I'm doing all that I can to help Zeke..
Oh, but about putting him in direct sunlight.. Uhhm.. I live in Newfoundland, and right now, there is sun outside, but its quite windy, and i think it would be WAY too cold for Zeke to be out on my patio.. And if it was warm enough, how can i keep him in one spot? He likes to crawl around, even when i had him on the windowsill, he'd try to climb off.. Same with the cofee table..
thanks again, -Melissa & Zeke-
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Post by Yoda on Sept 26, 2004 5:58:55 GMT -8
Glad to hear you are going to be pro active....and try getting some nutriants into that Iggy.
As for the weather in Newfoundland....I live in Northern Ontario and we have simular weather ..as long as the temperature outside is warm enough that you feel comfy in a T-shirt ... I wouldnt worry about wind... even 20 min in the direct sunlight is a great benifit. especially if you dont have a decent quality light for him right now.
You will need some type of makeshift outdoor cage... if you can get your hands on a decent sized bird cage ...they work well for a smaller Iggy.
I wouldnt attempt taking the Ig outside uncaged ... that may end up in a search and rescue mission.
Be sure to keep us posted .....
Cheers ,
James and Yoda
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