Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read a bit about iguanas from personal interest, but have never owned one. I do have a pair of bearded dragons and numerous animals of a more warm-blooded nature. And I've found that anyone that owns more than five animals at a time suddenly finds they are a rescue.

At any rate, the mother of my sister's boyfriend contacted my mother because her son had told her of my many creatures, and asked if I wanted an iguana. Apparently, they got it for the son as a present a 'while' ago, and he had lost interest in it (I could go off on a rant right here about parents, kids, and animal responsibility, but for the sake of length, I won't). It is now living in its cage in the unheated but insulated garage...and the nights are getting down to 25. She's willing to give me the 'guana and the cage and all their supplies for free. I can't leave him there to die, so I want to take him in at least temporarily...if not permanantly...and see if I can't find a more suitable home for him. At least he'd be somewhere warm.

I haven't seen him. My mother says he's 'pretty big' but who knows how large that is. I'm all but counting on him having all sorts of metabolic bone disease and other health issues due to his care up to this point. The other night, in fact, I got into an argument with my sister's boyfriend because he said 'do you know iguanas can eat rats and rabbits even?'

So I'm sure his diet is absolute crap. They're probably feeding him dog food.

Anyway, to the point. I don't know exactly when, but I'm sure before the week is out this 'guan will be at my home. I need ANY and ALL advice you can give me regarding diet, temps, lighting, supplements...anything I need to get him back healthy and on the right track. Fortunately, I have a very good herp vet. Also, a way to tell for sure a 'guan's gender, as I'm sure they only call him a 'he' for convenience's sake and have no true idea if he's a he or a she.

I'm reading everything I can get my hands on in the meantime, but I need to take every advantage I can get at this point on proper 'guan care.

Also, if anyone in the Western Washington area is out there and interested in a new 'guan, please let me know. He will go out ONLY to a VERY experienced iguana owner, and one I can be sure will give him the proper care he needs. If he is ill, I have no problems getting him healthy again, or at least on the right track to health, before letting him go to a new home.

Thank you.

I know you posted that experienced iguana homes only and all, but dont be too picky, and you will know when you found the right owner. My first and only iguana I got in May after years of wanting an iguana, similer story living in a 6 year olds bedroom with one heat lamp in an aquarium, dog food, etc..

first thing we did was a vet check and took bloodwork. x rays wouldnt hurt but theyd probably tell you that if he has MBD (which, im willing to bet he does) but the blood levels for cal/phos. will tell that anyway. The vet should prescribe liquid calcium supplement. If he is being fed rats, rabbits and dog food (sigh) then also check out his kidneys. My Zeph has kidney disease and (had) mbd. I dont know what state you are in but if you can, get him as much sunlight as he can get (unfiltered, not through glass/plastic, and 100% supervised outside and make sure he cannot escape) and a uv light (at least 12" from his body to get the full benefit)of course a fresh REAL diet, check out iguanaden.com. Spray the veggies and greens with cool water before feeding, get him as much water as he can. Baths, syringe (let your vet show you how to syringe him water and cal. meds) water, water through food, etc...

good luck and at 25*f i am amazed he is still alive
Ohh and i guess that also answers my question if he can get outside for real sunlight (lol doh..)

Sarah (in Florida)

I've had 2 HUGE igs for 2 days, read everything I could get my hands on, and am trying to find a vet to donate services to these guys. The thing I learned real fast is to give them a LITTLE of what they're used to eating to get them started on their greens. In just 2 days they've gone from grey to starting to show some green... I'm watching one right now climb around in a reptarium in the sun like he has ENERGY which is such a change.

They both have MBD. One's lower jaw is completely collapsed and he has to pick up tiny food bits with his tongue. The other has a let that isn't working. I'm looking forward to a professional evaluation but for a 2 day improvement I'm thrilled.

My email: Ichabette@aol.com