Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, i just got the iguana i adopted from some people today! he is in such horrible shape, he had missing nails, he dropped his tail and he looks like he hasn't been fed in weeks! its so sad! worst of all he looks like he has got a pus ball on the roof of his mouth! the poor guy! the lady was telling me how they have kept him outside in his cage for the last 4 days and he had no heat, and was constantly stressed out by their dogs! i dunno what to do? i know i have to take him to the vet and that is for this monday! the poor guy, any adivice would be very helpful? it just piss's me off the way people treat their animals! i also just rescued a red eared slider that was being kept in a pickle jar! i actually had to break the jar to get him out!! people are such morons! its sad to see the way these animals are treated! sorry for the long post!
-Robert

how big is he? how big is ur cage? what lighting do u have on him and do u use any supplements for his food? sorry i am asking so much but im tryin to help. make sure u keep his toes clean.. where they are misssing. how much of his tail is off? mine just lost the end of his tail so i know what ur dealing with. did it just happen? keep it clean and if it is recent you might want to try some neosporin or sumthing similar. i would try to get him as least stressed as possible, try to keep him in a "non-active" room with plenty of heat. u also might need some jump start to get him to eat if he is that stressed. glad to see you are taking him to the vet. about the turtle, how big is it? if you no who did it you should file an animal cruelty suit against them! that is just demented!
good luck!

yeah he didn't look to good when i got him. i would say he is probaly about 2 1/2 to 3 ft long. super super thin. i dunno if this is a good thimg, but the pus seems to be draing from his mouth? is that a good sign? i know i still have to take him to a vet! i have a 6ft long by 6ft tall and 3 ft deep cage for him, but when he gets better he will be a free roamer. i also have uv lights and basking lights. i am using a calcium powder for him and i feed him the melissa kaplans iguana salad diet. he has been getting 2 baths a day so far, and the baths combined with a warm cage seem to make the little guy a little more active, hasn't really ate a lot yet, but thats probally due to stress?? anyways i will post a pic when i can
-Robert

i dont often get to say this but your pretty much doing everything right! but if he doesnt start to eat any better it might help to use jumpstart. it can be a little pricey but one tube should last a while and it will be well worth it. i recomend getting supplies from www.thatpetplace.com. i get all my herps and supplies out there. but i am like 45 minutes from there so i can only go every other week its really good though, especially if you want to get supplies becuase they are usaully like 60% cheaper than petco and stuff. good luck with him

thank you, i am trying my best, he looks like he is eating much better, he actually is hungry today, i think he was to stressed yesterfay to eat? anyways i was curious is there anything that i can feed him that will put weight on him? i have heard of dog food or cat food, the canned kind but have never tried it, any suggestions would be great thank you
-Robert

Hi,

First of all thanks for rescuing this poor Ig!! We got our Frodo that way 2 years ago and although he is much smaller than oyher Igs his age he is very healthy.

Igs should not eat cat and dog food. They are vegitarians and eating animal protein could give them kidney failure and other problems. What we found that really fattened our boy up was Pumpkin. It is hard to find this time of year but grated up Frodo Loves it and he grew like a weed!

It sounds like you did some research and that's great. I would recommend the book Iguanas for Dummies as it has alot of great nutrition info.

Thanks again and I hope all goes well at the vet.
Donna