Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone well i got a baby green iguana from the local pet store about 2 months ago and despite the rules he was the last one there, didnt run from me when i stuck my hand in the cage, and wasnt that active. Well i brought him home, fed him, got a UV light and all and pretty much nursed him back to health, he was active, aggressive and seemed healthy. Well an almost transulucent-looking spot appeared on his stomach area ... thought it might have been a burn from heat rock. We'll the started to appear all over.. then he stopped eating. You can see the bones protruding through the skin in his tail so he has absoluetly no fat nor muscle tissue... i finally tried to get him to eat by forcing his mough open and he tooki and and chewed but seemed like he didnt have the energy to swallow... i set him on the groud and he just sat there didnt try to run or anything.... what should I do? should i try to force feed him back to strength and what are these spots from any help would be greatly appreciated...

***Well they started to appear all over*** sorry for the typo

When you first got him, did you bring him to a vet?
When the first spot appeared, did you bring him to a vet?
When they started appearing all over, did you bring him to a vet?

Sorry for the way that sounds, but you'd be surprised how many people can't grasp the "must go to vet" concept.

Funny someone posted about the Iguana Den.
Check this out:
www.iguanaden.org/health/gallery/index.htm
Look at the "Healing Burn" and "Thermal Burn" pictures.
Also look at info on Burns, Fungus, Betadien Bath, etc.

But most of all: TAKE IT TO A VET!

Good luck, hope he makes it.

-IJ

no just called and they said to get an ointment so i got it and figured he would be ok... well then today i woke up and he is just laying there even when i touch him just opens his eyes.. hes got a little more energy now but the vet isnt open and i want to get him to eat... like i said he tried but seemed like he was chocking so i pulled it out when he opened his mouth... is there any way i can get him to eat today... is force feeding a good idea if it has to be done?

When I had to force feed Buddy (my Uromastyx) the vet told me to put his greens and a little water in a blender with baby food (the mixed veggies, peas, or greenbeans) and blend it all up. Then with a syringe (without the needle of course) or something similar, open his mouth and squirt it in. I would alternate with water because Buddy was severly dehydrated as well. Hope htis helps a little with the feeding.

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Healthy and fat Igg(Tiny)

Healthy and FINALY shedding Mali Uro(Buddy)

Excellent tip Lo-Rider.

On the belly area, try Neosporin/penicillin, and gently rub it there. Might help.

-IJ

thanks alot bot of yall... well i brought him out in the sun and apparantly that gave him enough energy to swallow b/c i opened his mouth the first time and he took it and ate it and continued but then began to choke after eating the fourth or fifth peice fo leave but at least im getting progress... also... i've noticed yet another problem... he opened his eye and closed and and when he closed it puss came out he keeps this eye closed alot now but when he opens it it appears normal also now that he has some energy he occasionally rubs his eye on his log... any ideas? i will be bringing him to the vet tom.

This iguana obviously suffered a lot prior to your purchase. It seems to have an eye-infection as well, hence the rubbing (which he should not do, so wrap the log or whatev with something soft to avoid further injury).

He's gonna need quite a lot of meds. Let us know what the vet says.

-IJ

I have had luck with lethargic lizards by soaking them in lemon lime gaterade. Try soaking him in lemon lime gaterade out in the sunlight for a while. This will not substitute veteranary attention, but it will give it some enery and help with hydration.