Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, I took in a free iguana. They had him for about 6 months and was tired of him. He did not come with a UVB light :::red flag one::: They were feeding him pellet Iguana food :::red flag two::: and he was getting some fresh food sometimes, like chuncks of oranges :::red flag three::: But I took him anyways. that night he received fresh veggies, greens and fruit. He also received a Zoo Med 5.0 uvb light. I established a heat gradient of 95 degrees to 80 degrees. He would run away from me and did not like to be held. I only tried to hold him a couple of times though. I have had him a month now and he is finally calming down. He does not run away when he gets fed. He loves to drink the water as I spray him down.

But, he has taken a turn for the worse now. Yesterday he was not moving around. When he tried to walk he would drag himself and could not get his front "fingers" out from in under his arm when walking (like he was walking on his knuckles). He is still eating and drinking, he is just soooo weak. I am scared that it is from the lack of the uvb.

I have been doing lots of reasearch on this, but was wanting to hear how you all treat this condition.

Well... for starters...

Why didn't you bring him to a vet?
Rule #1, the golden, almighty, all-important rule:
Whenever one gets an iguana, be it a rescue or acquisition, first thing to do is bring the animal to a vet.

Now, have you been giving it calcium/vitamin supplements?
There are over-the-counter products that can help cure and at times reverse MBD.

But, the best help is from a professional, i.e. a veterinarian.
Could also be something else, endo-parasite infestation (which means the animal could have worms etc), or other.

Bring it to a vet asap and keep us posted on its condition.
Best of luck!

-IJ

I agree with IJ .. a reptile vet .. if you can find one asap ..

and im hoping you were giving calcuim/ vitamins .. if not the iguana is probley taking the calcuim from his/her own bones .. making her britle and causing mbd ,,,,

I HOPE you can save her/him .. vet is a auto nessassary ..

Because my appointment is not until tomorrow. I am having to take him 45 minutes away, and they are not the "best" I can take him to. I got the calcium supplements today because the pet store here closes early.

thats good a vet will see him/her .. and good on buying the calcuim and stuff .

i dont really know thought if the vet could help you ? as i hope theres a reptile doctor that can see her .. i seriously would consider a reptile doctor .. even though it sounds hard to get one ... though

i had a reptile i took to a normal vet and they like lied to us .. we ended up finding a great reptile doctor/ vet and but a week later we were to late ..

i just dont want to see her die from something so common in a iguana ..
good luck though .. im sure the vet can help you get something in her/him to help her

christina

Totally agree!. It sounds like you are on the right track
but you need medical intervention at this point. Make sure
that whatever vet you take it to has experience with exotic
pets, especially iguanas.

It may have fractured its spine if the MBD is bad. Dragging
itself is a very bad thing.

Please act now! time is of the essence

Linda