Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today our baby DI has been the most active since we purchased him. Running around eating wax worms, and climbing my shirt. But I noticed some things about him I am wondering what is going on. Has anyone else noticed this with their lizards? The last day or two when I pick him up I feel a vibration from him. At first I thought it was wheezing from his lungs but he don't do it when he breaths. He sits there and he vibrates his body. You can see a slight movement of his body real fast. Also just today I was looking at his left eye, he was squinting and poking it out. A film of blood could be seen go across his eye. Sometimes he trys to wipe it off by rubbing his eye on the floor of the cage. But when he looks out normally the blood is not visible the film receeds to the corner, and is no longer visible. Has anyone had this experience with their DI's. I would appreciate it if anyone could maybe give me an idea of what is going on with this little guy! Thank you! Bill.

Please take your ig to a reptile vet ASAP! Also, please do NOT feed any animal protein (such as waxworms) to your ig! This will result in kidney failure in the future. To find out information on feeding/keeping your new ig, log onto www.anaspid.org, and go to the iguana section. Post any questions on this forum, if someone doesn't know the answer, they can usually find out where the answer can be found.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~

My Iguana is a Desert Iguana, not a green Iguana. You are talking about an entirely different animal. DI's are Omnivorous! Insects will not hurt DI's. I had one for 16 years. He ate meal worms several times a week. He died of old age. Greenys are a different story. Since they live in the jungle and semi tropical areas their diet should be all veggies. In the desert DI's don't have the luxury of all veggies. They will supliment their diet with insects. In fact the young hatchlings will start off eating insects for a few months before they will start eating veggies. I don't think his problem has anything to do with feeding him worms. I have three other DI's. I feed them wax worms, and meal worms two to three times a week. They are as healthy as can be. Thanks for your input anyway! Bill.

None of my Green Ig vegitarians have even done it but my Veiled Chameleon & Frilled Dragon (both omnivours) 'vibrate' just like what you describe when they are a bit apprehensive or unhappy about a situation but, not upset enough to hiss/frill (respectively). If behavior is similar in DI's though. . .would think you'd have surely noticed it in your others. Hmmm.

As for the film of blood moving across his eye. . . Do DI's have a second eyelid? The way you describe the movement, that's what it sounds like. In any case poking they eye out and rubbing it sounds like it's irritated in some way and the blood thing (2nd eyelid or not) sounds like it's the actual eye, not they eyelid (like when they rub/poke during a shed). I would try rinsing w/sterile saline (like what I use in my eyes, for my contacs). If you end up going to the vet or not. . .that could provide some immediate relief, even if you do end up going to the vet.

Hope everything goes well,
Rebecca

I thought DI was the igs name. It makes sense now. DI Desert Iguana. Sorry.
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Lamar, Debbie, Nathaniel and Iggi :>~