Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My iguana hasn't eaten in about 4-5 days now. I think he's just nibbled a little if he has. This is the longest time he's done this, although he's not eaten for a few days before, and I don't know what to do.

I can't afford to take him to a vet($50-$75)and I'm at a loss. Maybe I can take him in the near future, but I need a little expertise as to what to do to get him going if anyone has some life-saving tips.

Remember, I know to take it to a vet, believe me. I just can't make ends meet.

try the iguana forum here on ks.
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"it takes a small person to beat a defenseless animal, and an even smaller person to eat it."

"it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
1.0.0 bearded dragon
1.1.0 green iguana
0.0.1 columbian tegu
1.1.0 knight anole
0.1.0 green anole
0.1.0 asian longtail grass lizard
1.1.0 golden gecko
1.0.0 ball python
0.0.5 oriental firebellied toad
0.0.1 green treefrog
0.0.1 barking treefrog
0.0.1 cuban masked treefrog
0.0.1 gray treefrog
0.1.0 gulf hammock rat snake
0.1.0 eastern kingsnake
0.1.0 siberian husky
1.1.0 ratties
0.1.0 hedgie

I've all ready tried that forum and found it lacking, if not down-right perturbing. One guy had the gall to suggest I was trying to make things worse for the iguana, and another, IJ(Iguana Joe,) seems to act as if he's a pro.

No, I'm just looking to take care of this iguana someone had bought out of ignorance, so I've taken over. We've had it for 4-5 months now, and I've put all I could into making it well. Right now I'm in a financial bind, however, and can't take it to a vet. Not just yet.

Just need tips, if anyone has any.

I know how you feel people did that to me and my newts died boy did I cry. I'll help you the best I can. What size tank? WHat temperatures (basking, warm side, cool side)? How big is the iguana? How old? What are you feeding it? Is it crapping regularly? Does it eat its substrate? What is the tank set up like?

Hi Newtman45. Yes, I've got a good setup for it, about 2x3', put in a few for good measure. There's a heating lamp that the absorbs constantly with temp's radiating from a 150w bulb. Then there's water in a dish below and plenty of shade, a lot of branches for him to crawl on, and some fake plants. These plants he hasn't eaten.

He's a juvenile though, not more than 6mos old, and kind of puny still. He hasn't grown much since I've had him, nor eaten well. I fear I bought him at a tacky pet shop, because a little while ago I saw one that was all brown there, which I know is a sign of sickness.

So far, and like I said, he hasn't eaten much and never has. I used to see excrement from him, but not now. I think, however, that just yesterday he ate a little.

It could be the temps, for I live in Florida and it's winter here now, despite it being the sunshine state. Temps dip into the 40-50's at night, although I've got him inside. There's no real way for me to keep his temp constant, since I've got him in a giant bird cage.

I've now put plastic over the cage, hoping he'll eat more regularly. Funny thing is, I've had him for over three months and he's surivived this way so far.

Any advice, however, would help. I'm disappointed about that iguana forum, for when posting problems like this, a few there want to put you down.

Thing is, I'd adopted this thing from someone in order to save its life, since they'd only had it in a 5gal tank and didn't know how to feed or take care of it. I don't have a lot of cash either, especially not enough to take it to the vet.