Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am so upset! I took Beanie back to the vet for a recheck
on Monday because she still is not eating(6 weeks now). It
had been 3 weeks since her surgery. The vet was able to take
her stitches out as she said the healing was textbook. My vet
asked the tech to help hold while removing the stitches and
Beanie acted crazy, alligator rolling and all. She has NEVER
behaved this way! Then the tech took her back for a warm
soak and she was gone along time. This person left her in
the water and did not warm it. When Beanie finally returned
back to me her eyes were bloodshot and she was so cold. At
this point I was in tears! I have babied her since I got her
and I was so upset that this person could be so careless.

Now, all those months of building her trust seems to be gone.
I brought her out for a soak last night and she tore my arms
apart like she hated me. I am unable to force feed at this
point. My thought is maybe just stop force feeding because
I think it is adding to the stress. I want to put her outside
now but would this be more stress as she has never been outside
except for on my lap after surgery.

Sorry for the long post but I am so upset about all of this!
Comments please on outside time
Linda

im so sorry Beanie is stressed, recovering, scared, and in some pain. id give her a few days to mull over in a very stress-free enviroment. hopefully she warms up to you again ;D hth =/
Sarah

That is so awful! Poor Beanie Give her a couple of days, I'm sure she'll warm right back up to you, especially if she starts feeling better with the stitches out. I'd leave extra yummy food in her cage to see if she'll pick at it on her own, and do lots of cage talking. I do this with Tempest all the time, he runs so hot and cold, but every day I open his cage and talk to him, leave the door open and let him watch me working away on the computer, that sort of thing.

I feel so bad for Beanie, I hope she's feeling better and less hateful soon!

>>Now, all those months of building her trust seems to be gone.
>>I brought her out for a soak last night and she tore my arms
>>apart like she hated me. I am unable to force feed at this
>>point. My thought is maybe just stop force feeding because
>>I think it is adding to the stress. I want to put her outside
>>now but would this be more stress as she has never been outside
>>except for on my lap after surgery.
>>
________________
Poor Beanie, and poor you! I am new to iguanas but not to rescue. I would give her as much time as you can and reexpose her to all the stuff you know is happy and familar to her. What ever you did before to win her trust do again. If she wasn't really used to the outside I don't think I'd do that now. She needs what is familar and safe. Do all the spoiling and baby talk you can. Experiment a bit with her food. Hand feeding? Hanging a leaf or two in her enclosure so she can 'hunt it down'? I wish you both all the luck. Let us know how this poor sweetie is doing. You have both been thru so much!
Lin & Marley

She did seem a little better last night when I soaked
her. I just hope she starts eating soon.

Linda