Poor care of iguanas

[Marie]

I've posted some of these pictures in another section before but thought they belonged here. Dragon was disfigured by MBD when I got her.

Theses pictures shows the disfigurements most clearly because she is at her lowest weight here--she had laid her eggs and been spayed.



She never gained much of her weight back since then so she pretty much looks that way even now. She would pig out and plump up right before her seasons but since she doesn't have seasons any more she doesn't eat that way any more.

These are of her at her highest weight--right before becoming gravid.




Right now her Kidney damage is her most pressing health problem. Currently I'm trying to get her to eat more to increase her water intake and get some more weight on her again.

She survived her MBD and has gone on to live to 11 yrs (now almost 12 years) of age and I think she has been pretty happy with Baby and me these last 9 (almost 10) years but I know it could have been better for her. At least God gave her a strong will to live, great personality, high intelligence, and an ability to bounce back to endure her problems. I sure hope to have several more years with them both.

Marie

[Merlin]

She survived her MBD and has gone on to live to 11 yrs (now almost 12 years) of age

Thats a pretty good run considering. You do what you can with what you are given.
Iguanas are amazing creatures. My first one lived for 10 years (back in the 70's) and I did about everything wrong you could do!

[SurvivorSteph]

Thanks for posting those pics. You've done great with her.

[WillemsMom]

Marie, I was able to give Willie alot of water sweetened with a little gatorade. Every day using the drip method. He lapped in time with the drops and it was nice for both of us. Watermelon gave Will a jump start also on eating and rehydration. Good Luck!

[Marie]

Right now both Baby and Dragon are having water avoidance issues. They both clamp thier mouths shut while bathing, while misting, and refuse to drink from a bowl. They will walk away from misting and they used to love it. They also use to let me squirt water in their mouths while I mist them.They used to drink during all these methods but now refuse.

I haven't forced the issue with Baby since her problem is a back fracture. The doctor mentioned hydration with her because she was having problems at first pooping but she has been regular now.

Now Dragon I have used a syringe to force water (tonight I used water/pedialyte) in her. I only made her drink 1/2 ounce tonight since she ate so much today. Her tummy was already so full.

I had someone who rehabs iguana suggest soaked RepCal pellets. So I have been feeding them their regular food first until I can't get them to eat anymore and then add the RepCal to what is left. They seem to love it because they eat it up with more of their regular food. Then I leave more greens. Baby eats some I think--she always has loved greens.

So they are eating more. Which means they are getting more liquids. I am pretty sure that Dragon is getting enough liquids from eating but I still give her more to be on the safe side.

I beginning to think that their water avoidance is to spite me for poking and prodding them so much lately. At least giving them shots is over with for now. They both knew what a needle was.

Thanks for the advice.

Marie

[WillemsMom]

Boy, you are doing some job, Marie. Congrats. Two things came to mind as I read your post. I think the drip hydration is more ig friendly than force feeding. I used a dropper and drop by drop dripped it in the little groove lower down from his eyes. It would run down his nose and over his mouth. After the first lick, he was really interested and co-operative.

Secondly, I found pedialyte very expensive as it has to be thrown out after 48 hours. Maybe you use it all up with your big family . But with only Will...I threw most of it away.

[Marie]

I've tried the drip method. They clamp their mouths shut and let it run off.

I bought the store brand of pedialyte which was half the price. I decided to try it since I still had my gift card from work. If nothing else I'll drink it--it doesn't taste bad. I tried it before giving it to her.

Once I get the syringe in Dragons mouth she doesn't fight that much. I think it is mainly for show.

I think when they get over at being mad at me they will come around.

Marie