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Rescued iggy needs help.... (post is long, but please help)

Charlotte Sep 18, 2004 05:24 PM

I have just recently rescued a poor iggy that had fallen into the wrong hands.
The iggy is aprox. 2 feet long, was kept in 10 gallon glass tank, the only heat source was a heat rock, and no exposure to UVA/UVB lighting AT ALL, and only fed squash.
I work at a pet store, and have many herps myself (33 snakes, and lizards which include frilled dragons, bearded dragons, water dragons (both austrailian and asian), and crestie and day geckos) and when the previous owner contacted me months ago I educated her on the correct way to keep the iggy and she failed to listen to me. Now, a few months later, she dumps this poor iggy on me.
Here is the problem:
He is extremely bloated, yet extremely skinny.
You can see how promonate his hip bones are, no fat in the tail, and the skin on his back legs sag. But his stomach is bloated up like a balloon!
I asked her when the last time the animal pooped, and she replied " I don't know, I don't pay attention to that "... did I mention this was a gift for her 8 year old son??
Yeah...
So anyway.
She quickly left the store and I went to give him a warm soak and noticed once I placed him in the water that not only are some of his toes curled and bent (I assume from Calcium deficiency?), but he can barely move his back legs.
He can move them, but not so well... I'm hoping due to the bloat and possible blockage of wastes in his gut.

Now, I can't afford vet bills at this moment, and frankly there is no good herp vet for MILES near me. All I can do is do the best I can with my current situation. Goodness knows it's better than where he was.

He's being kept in a rubbermaid right now, with UVA/UVB flouresent lighting, correct heat via lamps and a heating pad. And a much more variety in his diet!
He is currently eating (and yes, he still eats good) romaine lettuce, raw brocoli, tomatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, melons such as honey dew and cantalope, plums, grapes, and a few more here and there. I'm trying to give him plenty of fruits because they are natures laxatives.

He also gets exposure to natural sunlight for a few hours every day.
He can still crawl around, but does not have full function of his legs.
And I'm pleased to say that when I first recieved him (this past week) he was calm and somewhat depressed, and now is bow-ing up at me, and showing me how big he can be, when I reach in to take him out for his morning soak! =)

But STILL NO POOPEY!!

I need help.
What can I do or give him that will get his bowels moving?
Is there any hope for this poor guy?
Any and all comments appreciated.
By the way, this is my first iggy, so if I make any mistakes be easy on me.
Thanks for any and all feedback.

Replies (3)

bloodroses19 Sep 18, 2004 07:52 PM

your doin pretty good for a first time iggy owner. one thing though, the bulk of his diet should be dark greens. collard greens, turnip greens, dandielions, mustard greens. they also love mango. make sure the temps are high enough. he may not be able to digest his food. keep bathing him in warm water. if your planing on keeping him he should have a bigger screened in enclosure. i hope he gets better but if he doesnt soon you should really find some way to get him to a vet. maybe some one can work with you on the money situation. good luck let us know if you need more help.
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brandy

debs1018 Sep 19, 2004 09:01 AM

First of all the bloating could and most likely be from worms. When an animal has worms ie. parasites they become bloated. You MUST get the ig to a vet and get treatment. The parasites can and will kill the ig. Like Brandy said the diet should be dark greens and little fruits. Veggis (squash, sweet potato, parsnip) are important too. Good luck and please post with the progress.

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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

rollinonstars21 Sep 19, 2004 01:40 PM

did u just try calling a vet and telling them ur situation...they might help by telling u something but i wouldnt be surprised to tell u to bring him to a vet

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