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Rescue Iguana

mk_ms_reptile May 17, 2009 11:02 PM

About three weeks ago I rescued a juvenile iguana from a lady who was not taking very good care of him. I work at a pet store and she abandoned him there. He was skinny and she said she used no UVA/UVB lighting for him and was feeding him only romaine lettuce. The tip of his tail was also missing due to "tail whipping" although he has not once whipped me.

He's gained a lot of weight and his colour's improved a lot. What worries me is that on his knee and on his tail he has a small spot where he's missing scales and it's a dark gray, almost black colour, like the scales are worn away in those spots. I thought it might have been due to a bad shed but he's shed twice since I got him and the spot still looks pretty much the same.

Another issue I have with him is when I have him out he rubs his nose on either my arm or leg and bites my clothing right afterward. It's not hard but it's a quick nibble and he'll normally do it a few times in a row. He's never bit my skin, just on my clothing. I don't wear any brightly coloured clothing so I'm not quite too sure what to make of it. I am not positive that he is really a he. I never had an iguana before so I'm not too familiar with their body language, although I have done a ton of research on them.

As for the habitat:
Basking temp: 95F
Cool area: 75-80F
Humidity: 75-80%
Night time temp: 65F

Diet: Collared greens, mustard greens, kale,zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, blackberries, papaya, mango, green peppers, yellow peppers, orange peppers, fresh green beans, banana (rarely), green grapes, red grapes, raspberries, and carrot tops.

Anything else that anyone can suggest as far as feeding goes too? I just worry I'm not doing enough to make sure he is healthy.
Thanks!

Replies (6)

PHFaust May 18, 2009 10:37 AM

>>He's gained a lot of weight and his colour's improved a lot. What worries me is that on his knee and on his tail he has a small spot where he's missing scales and it's a dark gray, almost black colour, like the scales are worn away in those spots. I thought it might have been due to a bad shed but he's shed twice since I got him and the spot still looks pretty much the same.
>>

Can you shoot a clear photo? This could be old scar tissue, however it could be necrotic tissue as well from an old wound or abcess. This is really hard to say if it is something of concern with out seeing it. Is there any swelling or drainage? Any tenderness to the touch?

>>Another issue I have with him is when I have him out he rubs his nose on either my arm or leg and bites my clothing right afterward. It's not hard but it's a quick nibble and he'll normally do it a few times in a row. He's never bit my skin, just on my clothing. I don't wear any brightly coloured clothing so I'm not quite too sure what to make of it. I am not positive that he is really a he. I never had an iguana before so I'm not too familiar with their body language, although I have done a ton of research on them.
>>
I wouldnt be too concerned. Underweight iguana exploring is just tasting to see if it is worth it. As long as there is no posturing or bobbing, I would be apt to say he is merely testing the food so to speak. It would be a small light nibble.
>>As for the habitat:
>>Basking temp: 95F
>>Cool area: 75-80F
>>Humidity: 75-80%
>>Night time temp: 65F
>>
>>Diet: Collared greens, mustard greens, kale,zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, blackberries, papaya, mango, green peppers, yellow peppers, orange peppers, fresh green beans, banana (rarely), green grapes, red grapes, raspberries, and carrot tops.
>>
>>Anything else that anyone can suggest as far as feeding goes too? I just worry I'm not doing enough to make sure he is healthy.
>>Thanks!

Nice mix on diet. I would keep the greens in a rotation switching week to week just to offer the variety. You can also look at offering some chopped parsnip or winter squashes. THey are far better than the yellow and zucchini. Also I am not a fan of offering many grapes. Grapes are known to cause kidney issues in mammals so I just limit my offerings to my reptiles and husband. I tend to offer more berries, but I do mix up what they are given by what looks nice and fresh. Since fruit is a small portion of their diet, a wide variety is nice. I also offer rep-cal pellets as well as their veggies.
-----
Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

mk_ms_reptile May 18, 2009 01:59 PM

Thanks so much for the reply!
No swelling or tenderness or anything like that as far as that patch goes. It just looks like old shed but I’m paranoid about the tiniest things. I do get the feeling that he’s trying to taste but earlier today he actually latched on for a few seconds to my pant leg when he was sitting on my lap. I tried the repi-cal pellets and Cleo wouldn’t touch them. I’ve tried calcium/D3 dust too and he wouldn’t touch anything with that on it either. I’m posting a few pictures of his leg and of him. He’s not too fond of the camera though.

Image

mk_ms_reptile May 18, 2009 02:00 PM

One of almost his full body.
Image

PHFaust May 19, 2009 01:17 AM

To me it looks possibly like old scar tissue. Really hard to say for sure, but definitely does not look necrotic! I wouldnt worry too much!
-----
Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

laurarfl May 19, 2009 07:38 AM

Won't eat Rep-Cal pellets? Blasphemy! just kidding...My Jackie LOVES Rep-cal and I think he would dig a hole to China to get some.

I had a beardie that wouldn't eat anything with calcium dust on it. He was a strange fellow.

Cute ig and he/she sounds like he's found a great home!

mk_ms_reptile May 19, 2009 02:19 PM

Thanks so much! He is VERY spoils. I'm just glad he looks alright. I tend to worry too much about my babies. I plan on taking him to the vet sometime this week for a one over because of how he was treated before.

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