Green Iguana - Rescue

Blueeheeler · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 08:29 PM

This is "Spike" he was dropped at my door on the 9th of March, with his enormous cage. No clue as to how old he is. Any Idea's? He is very tame I have had him out and walking around the yard. Gave him a long bath and shower to remove old shed. He loved it. He pooped in the tub and all looks good. No worms that I could see. I have an appointment with the vet on Monday for fecal test and an over all check up. I have not seen him eat as of yet and this is starting to bother me. I have a variety of greens and fruits along with the commercial foods and calcium. Any suggestions are welcomed and needed.

Daytime his outside in his big cage for some natural sunshine, hoping he will green up alittle. I am worried about his coloring. I think that he was very unhappy before and that he will green up with time. Any Advise?

Nighttime he is in the house with the rest of us for sleep. He is very boy.

Looking forward to having him with me for a long time to come.

Thanks for looking - Jamie

Blueeheeler · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 08:33 PM

Having a problem with the picture but he is in my photo gallery. Jamie

NicoleRussell · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 08:40 PM

what are you feeding him?
GREAT job with the rescue so far it sounds like.

Blueeheeler · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2005, 08:45 PM

Romaine, collards, squash shredded and banana grapes and strawberries.
t-rex Iguana veggies and fruits mixture for adults, moistened. Should I be doing something different? thank you for your reply. Jamie

NicoleRussell · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 12:38 AM

Well I would cut out the romaine--there are so many better choices. Bananas aren't great either. Don't get me wrong--I'm not among the segment of the population that feels spinach, bananas and romaine (and other controversial foods) should be avoided like the plague, but you should try and keep such foods as treats.
Many people read something and take it to an extreme...boycotting certain foods like their cyanide. I feel that's a bit over the top.
But for staples, there are so many good choices. I buy them differently each week. Chards are one---dandelion; brown rice and 16 bean blend; chickory; bokchoy (not everyday); berries (mine love blackberries and raspberries), peaches...all sorts of fruits. Many people give you lists and they are everywhere so I try not to be repeatitive.
I like to feed 1st step baby foods a convienent treat---all the veggies and fruits.
You can also invest in some iguana dust by Trex...and supplementation with those pellets you are using is a great idea. I also love monster diet.....
Lighting is especially important as you probably know.

Blueeheeler · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 02:01 AM

Thank you for your advice...I will change out the romaine and bananas.

He is my 1st iguana and I can use all of the advice you can supply.

How do I get him to eat. He has had nothing but water for the last 2 days. I have offered food both days and nothing. I am working on getting his large cage in the house, it has been some chore I will tell you that thing is HUGE.

He has been active(I think). Not sure how active they are. I care for and raise snakes so this is a little different. I have plenty of light for him and he gets about 6 hours of direct sunlight when he is outside in his cage. when I get it in the house I think I will put it in front of a small window so he can look outside and have natural sunlight. I will still be providing his UVB/A by a bulb since the window will most likely not be open all of the time so the rays can come through. He does bask a lot is this okay or should I add more heat throughout his cage?

Again I thank you in advance and your help is needed. I have been on the computer since I knew I was going to get this guy, reading and learning. I even bought the book "Iguanas for Dummies" I have been reading that too. so much to learn.

Jamie

NicoleRussell · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 01:13 PM

The brown rice and 16 bean thing is something that a friend (J Binns)told me about (who's an expert with iguanas in my opinion). We were discussing animal protien and iguanas. While he feels animal protien is a NONO---protien by way of beans and mixed with brown rice has proven to be beneficial to iguanas. I buy the rice and beans cook it up (I buy the goya 16 bean combo) and freeze portions in baggies so I have them available. I mix this with various salads. You can also mix in some pellets.
You can follow Melissa Kaplans diet for iguanas (she really does know her stuff)---but keep an open mind. Ask around and try to come up with a good plan based on alot of imput.
Lizards are not snakes....and it's harder to cross over then you can imagine. I have my moments with snakes too---I sometimes forget how disimilar they are.
As far as lighting....the ambient light throuh your window is great but keep in mind that even with the window open the screen will filter most of the UVB...but what does come through will help psychologically. You need a great MVB (mac is best)....or a good tube with a heat source. I prefer MVB's over anything else for 99.9 percent of all lizards.
What are your basking and ambient temps? Where in the country (or the world) do you live? (I'm very jealous you can bring your iguana outside now---it SNOWED here yesterday

)

Blueeheeler · #8 (**permalink**) 03-13-2005, 05:30 PM

thank you for your reply, I live in sunny Central California. Yesterday our high temp was 75.

His basking temps are 95 to 98 most of the time, mid morning and after noon they get up to 105. ambient air is whatever the temps are outside at that given time. when in the house it is above 85 since he has less wind and inclement weather.

I will be working in the house today to get his Huge cage in the house all the time. Then I won't have to move him for the night hours. He will be able to acclemate himself better that way. I have him roam the house for a couple of hours so he can get used to it and get the exercise that he needs. I also take him out in the yard around 12-1 when the yard is completely sunny and let him run free, so he can explore new things. He is a very good boy. Now if I could only feel confident about clipping thoughs claws I would be a happy camper. I had someone ask me at the store last night if I had a new kitty. when I said Iguana then they said OH so your not a vegiterian?

Anywho thank you and lets hope he eats today. Jamie

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