Question:

Green iguana emergency?

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ok i traded some guy my ipod for his two green iguanas and his huge cage for them i had them sexed at a pet store one is male and the other female the male is active alert and acts fine the female tho the tell is just now growing back where she dropped it for unknown reasons and she drags her stomacch instead of walking on all 4s like the other and she has a hard time climbing branches so she just lays on the bottom and she rarely moves also she only eats wen i force her two she wont eat unless i get het to bite my finger and eat the food that way they are 5 months old now and thath guy didnt take very good care of them as he didnt even get them uvb lighting! so instead of letn her dye a slow death i went out and purchased her a uvb lite and since we have no vets within 100 miles that deal with iguanas all i have to go on is what the pet store owner told me which is she is uvb deprived...im trying my hardiest to save her life! sois natural sunlite beter 4her like if i kept herout init

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  1. Oh Lordie... I wish I had copied my last answer, so I could just paste it here!

    First off - separate them.  Housing iguanas together is never a good idea.  Fights can result in loss of limbs, internal injuries, broken tails, and even death.  One animal can become so intimidated by another that it will stop eating, to avoid the other.  Green iguanas are NOT social animals, and though I recently warned and warned a friend about this - he did NOT separate his iguanas until the female's front leg was removed and eaten by the male, and a $600 vet bill occurred!

    Also, since she is obviously ill - she should be housed separately, where the stronger/healthy iguana can't bother/dislocate her.  Is it possible the male has injured her?

    Though your vet is 100 mi. away, I'd strongly suggest getting her to one, and ASAP.

    UVB deprivation doesn't sound like the cause of her dragging herself along, in my opinion.  I fear the problem is more serious.

    And yes, the sun would be better than a UVB bulb, but keeping her from overheating is a serious issue, too.  Since she's not able to get around much, and locate herself in cooler areas when she's too warm... I would suggest maybe, in the cool morning, or cool evening sun, exposing her as you hold her on your arm or leg, for 1/2-1 hr.  (if your skin gets warm - she will be, too).  But, she will need UVB lighting and heat in her cage, too.

    Diet is so important for reptiles.  Was she properly fed?

    At this point, all I can really do is recommend that you google green iguanas on line, and obtain all the information you can about housing/diet/care.

    Some sites will also provide medical advice for specific ailments.  You may find her symptoms listed, and suggestions to treat her.

    As for basking under her UVB bulb; since she is already falling, I would suggest placing the bulb nearer the floor on one side of her enclosure, so she doesn't have to climb (I wouldn't offer limbs until she's feeling better) and leaving the other side as the 'cool' end, so she can move and regulate her temperature.  You can also offer her tepid soaks, if she's not drinking well (and is comfortable soaking - be sure she doesn't drown, if she's not lifting her head).

    There are many rescue groups listed on line, and you may consider contacting a few, if you can't get her to a vet.  Some of these people ARE vets, and very knowledgable, but others are folks who just mean well.  Be careful of who you take advice from, and know their credentials.  Don't be afraid to ask for credentials (these can be verified).

    I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, and I wish you success at rehabbing/rescuing her.  Again - my strongest suggestion would be to get her to a vet.  Good luck.


  2. This sounds like a very sad case of Metabolic Bone Disease, which is the number one issue with green iguanas.  Basically this occurs when the diet and/or living conditions make it impossible for the iguana to get the proper calcium they need, and their health suffers terribly.  Their bones become weak and begin to warp, then their bodies begin to shut down.  If you catch it early enough, you can save them.

    Unfortunately this sounds like an advanced case that has affected the animal's nervous system.  This isn't a death sentence, but it does mean that time is of the essence.  If MBD affects the nerves, trembling or weakness in the limbs may occur. In worst cases, partial paralysis may result. Often this is evident in the back legs and tail. The iguana may drag itself along with its front legs. It will be unable to climb or get around properly.

    In lieu of a vet visit, which would be best, I will give you the best advice I can.  MBD can usually be reversed with a proper diet and calcium supplements (you can get calcium from any pharmacy, crush the pills into a powder).  I would strongly advise extra calcium and exposure to UVB light (seems you are doing the lighting already).  Many of the symptoms can be reversed. Trembling, weakness and partial paralysis will often go away once proper husbandry has begun. Bones will become strong again, and appetite will return.

    Some things, however, can be there forever, even long after the iguana has recovered from MBD. Distorted jaws, toes, backs and limbs will remain. Normal movement and climbing activities may still be restricted. Sadly, pain may continue.  Females sometimes become healthy enough to develop eggs, but are unable to lay them due to twisted spines. As a result, an emergency spay is required or the iguana will die. Problems with defecation may occur for the same reason. And, of course, any spinal cord injuries obtained from broken backs will result in permanent paralysis.

    Good luck and kudos for trying to save her!

  3. try to go to green iguana society.com

    that sucks that guy should get is balls riped off

    good luck

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