Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My iguana has lost his appetite considerably. I just had it into the vet last monday, and she said his temps were low and gave him a vitamin B shot. He has a crusty gunk layer on the rim of his lips and it is often so thick that i have to pry his mouth open, but the vet said that he doesn't have mouth rot or upper respiratory infection. He is goin in for a recheck monday and she may do a culture sample. Have any of you guys had a similar proplem??? if so PLEEZE tell me what the outcome was!!!

Thanks, mark (and Kiwi, my ig, says thanx to)

by the way i did raise his temps

Is the vet you take it to an actual herp vet or at least one well versed in iguana care? We have an ig rescued not too long ago that had almost the same symptoms and it did have mouth rot also has MBD but that's another story. As for the loss of appetite has it gotten it back since raising the temps.

Also just for the record I'm not arguing with your vets verdict just asking and there are other things that can cause problems similar to that. Poor eating habits, certain vitamin deficiencies and sometimes even problems with humidity can cause these symptoms. (I had to look it up in the vet manual to make sure) It also says that stomatitis or mouth rot is usually secondary to another bacterial or fungal infection and cannot always be diagnosed on its own.

Either way it seems that the vet should do further checking and will hopefully be able to give a better answer and treatment.

Good luck
Stephanie

Yes, he did get his appetite back after the B shot, but not completely (she said it might stimulate his appetite) and raising the temps. She is a herp vet but did have some views on ig keeping that contridicted the info i had already learned, examples: i have a tall cage, but she said a low long cage is best because its easier to keep them warm with heat pads, she also said to put him in a small aquarium and crank the heat up to 95 everywhere so that we can rule out if the temps were the proplems(that didn't work, he scraped his "horn" on the screen, so back to the big cage....)

Thanx again, mark (and Kiwi)

but like you said, not well-informed. If you don't want to, or can't switch vets, I think that a vet that wants to help and is willing to learn is better than a vet who thinks s/he knows everything. Maybe you can tell your vet your concerns about her suggestions.

I did this when I first went to my vet. He seemed to be in a hurry, and didn't even suggest a fecal culture or float during the entire exam. After the exam, I asked to speak to him, and asked him what his expertise and interest in reptiles was. After he told me where he'd gone to school, etc, I asked, Then why didn't you order a fecal exam? It was like a lightbulb when on over his head. He apologized, and said that he didn't think Bud looked ill, but that he should have suggested it anyway. Now I work with my vet in Bud's care, because he realizes I know what I'm talking about.

I think vets are so used to seeing reptile owners who don't care that they get tired of giving advice that won't be followed. I have heard that reptile owners are the most likely to abandon their pets at the vet or skip out on bills. That's no excuse for not giving the best vet care, but I think when they see that you know your stuff and are determined, they'll work with you. Maybe your vet would be willing to borrow your iguana books and read up. In any case, at least you'll get some lab results.