My Rescued Iguana

Discussion in 'Iguanas' started by Peachesm33, Jun 13, 2011.

  1. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    June 9th I rescued a Green Iguana that someone threw in a backyard to die, the previous owners who I had known had let their cat chew on his tail which got infected and now has to be amputated in a couple weeks when he is more healthier and gains some weight. What I don't understand is this Iguana was loveable and liked to be held all the time but now he's biting and doesn't want to be touched. Could it just be the stress hes had and maybe hes in pain?? I'm hoping once his tail is amputated and hes feeling better he will want to be held again.
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. alfon76

    alfon76 Reptile Veterinarian

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    Iguanas are traditionally moody so his/her calm demeanor could have been when younger and now it is just getting more aggressive with age. Also, you are also right, stress and the traumatic experiences it went through can be causing this iguana to be more defensive than before.
    I wouldn't look forward to the iguana being calm when it feels better but you can certainly retrain it so that he/she sees that it is now in a good home with someone that will care properly for him/her.
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. alfon76

    alfon76 Reptile Veterinarian

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    Keep a close eye on that tail as it can get gangrenous really quick, especially if the wounds were caused by cat bites. If you see it getting black or swollen, get it amputated asap by a qualified Vet because otherwise you can risk losing the iguana if the infection spreads too high up.
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  7. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    I was really shocked when the vet said this Iguana is pretty healthy other than the tail . We rushed him to the vet as soon as we got him, the vet said the tail will be fine for now but the Iguana has to be fattened up and a little healthier in the next 2 weeks then the tail can be done. I have owned 2 other big Iguanas and had to tame them, he will come around soon when he sees that I won't hurt him. I like to handle my reptiles alot and take them with me everywhere on my shoulder. My last 5 foot Iguana Lucy loved going for car rides in the back window lol.........I have a 12 year old bearded Dragon I have had since she was 2 months old.
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    yesterday I put bedding and a big flat rock in his cage for him to lay on under the heatlamp and he just flipped out and tore the cage apart, even knocked the door right off the hinges, the previous owners must not have had anything in his cage at all because hes not liking anything but the water bowl that I put in there.
     
  10. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  11. alfon76

    alfon76 Reptile Veterinarian

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    If you want to have some furniture in his cage, start out with 1 big, sturdy branch where he can lay to bask and perch. Then keep adding other items until you have the cage the way you want it.
     
  12. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    It never occurred to me to just add 1 item at a time because I have never had a problem from my reptiles in the past adding everything at once. I took everything back out and left the rock for him to lay and now hes better, It was the corncob bedding he didn't like. I don't know what else to use on the floor of the cage. They can digest the corncob bedding just in case they eat it and it doesn't hurt them.
     
  13. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    Vets are saying its going to be $1,300.00 to amputate this Iguanas tail.....OMG!!! I'm laid off work at the moment and if I was working the cost wouldn't even be an issue. We are trying to find a vet that will either donate their time to do the surgery or take what money we can come up with which is about $150.00 ....I never imagined this would cost so much...Theres not many vets here in cleveland who deal with reptiles , Its getting fustrating because I'm doing all I can but it's not enough
     
  14. alfon76

    alfon76 Reptile Veterinarian

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    I agree that $1300 sounds like a lot of money. Unfortunately, different Vets charge different amounts based on what is involved. There is a good chance they charge so much because they use top of the line equipment to ensure a smoother surgery and recovery. Other Vets might not have such cutting edge equipment but can still do the surgery and thus cheaper. A tail amputation, depending on how involved it is, can cost you anywhere between $300 to $800 in some of the clinics I know here in FL. IT can get more expensive as well but that's a good average.
    Have you checked with any local reptile rescue groups to see who they use as their Vet? Maybe that way you can find a Vet that can do it cheaper.
     
  15. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    I have contacted a few and they haven't responded back yet.....Theres a vet here who is supposed to call us tomorrow and let us know how much it will be and if he can do it for a good donation. This is just fustrating....I have helped animals all my life... It's hard sitting here and not being able to do nothing. I want to thank you for reading my posts and helping me out :)
     
  16. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    Vet called and said if the tail was infected I would know because it would be draining fluid and its not so that gives me some hope there..He also said if its not infected the tail will just dry up and fall off just like it does in the wild....I have an appointment to see the vet Tuesday evening at 6:45 to look at his tail . he also said amputations start at $1,200.00 ..... Praying it doesn't need to be amputated. Zooki is such a gorgeous reptile and I hope this comes out good :)
     
  17. ajlista

    ajlista Well-Known Member

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    You my friend, are an amazing pet owner
    haha just saying
    Considering most people will not put so much time and effort into helping their reptile fully recover
    He's lucky to have you as an owner
     
    reptileden0 likes this.
  18. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    Awww Thank You!! I try to do whatever I can to help animals, my friends think I'm crazy because they don't feel the same way about animals that I do but animals have no one but us to help them.
     
  19. reptileden0

    reptileden0 New Member

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    Ive had a few Igs come to me like this. Find out from a vet first if there is infection, antibiotics can help. Reptiles have an amazing self repair system as long as proper care assists them. Is the tail broken or just chewed badly? send a pict. Get your ig healthy first. work on behavior amongst the health stuff.
    As far as the biting goes, when ill or abused they can react in extreme self-preserving ways. I have had a solid soft leather piece or stuffed animal for one to grab on to with teeth so they can vent on something other than you. (eventually this can convert to seasonal "play" ) Your care and patience will work out. Talk alot to the ig. As in simply pull up a chair next to it and talk, tell it about your day or what ever. Slowly show it you feed and care and it will conclude you are not gonna hurt it. My favorite Ig and many more before it showed amazing turn arounds. We have had to remove parts of tails and countless physical repairs but they appreciate it in the long run. I have had rescued biting angry iguanas that end up bein nice and "playin" with the dogs, paper trained, social...somtimes demandingly, and even car ride loving ones plus much more. They also have a cool head bob/neck flap language they will share. Its nearly a universal language for every iguana!
    Keep at this one! Glad you have taken this task!
     
  20. justkev

    justkev Hi :) Staff Member

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    $1200 for the amputation of part of the tail of an Iguana is just insane.

    Is the vet you are taking him to aware that the animal will re-grow the tail? This is not as serious a procedure as removing the tail from an animal that will not regenerate it.

    Maybe you can find a vet that will offer a more reasonable price if you just tell them what you can afford.. and also mention that the tail will grow back.
     
    reptileden0 likes this.
  21. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    there is only about 5 vets around here that care for reptiles, $1,200.00 was the cheapest one we found. He is going to see the vet next Tues. the vet said I would definately know if it was infected. It's drying up and looking alot better than it did so I really don't think an amputation is gonna be needed. I just want him to be ok so I can start working with him. I sit and talk to him, I take him out but he fights me alot which once I start petting him he calms down, I eventually want to get him into a harness so I can take him outside and for car rides, my other Iguanas loved going in the car as so does my bearded dragon .
     
  22. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    Is it true antibiotic ointment like neosporin can be used on reptiles?? I was just told I can put that on my Iguanas tail .......I have used it on my dog and cats before but never on any of my reptiles....This woman told me her vet told her it can be used without harming the animal.
     
  23. alfon76

    alfon76 Reptile Veterinarian

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    It can be used. I am actually partial to the triple antibiotic ointment over the plain neosporin. It won't hurt your reptile as long as they don't lick it off and iguanas are not known to do this unless they can reach the area.
     
  24. Peachesm33

    Peachesm33 New Member

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    I have 5 tubes of triple antibiotic ointment and I'm gonna put it on his tail to see if it helps any, 3 more inches of it is gonna fall off soon and he sees the vet Tues , hopefully the ointment will help it heal faster..He never tries to get to the bad part of his tail so should be safe , I'm home all the time so i can watch over him..
     
  25. Sharman Wisdom

    Sharman Wisdom HOTM Winner December

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    All of my iguanas are rescue. One iguana I have was covered in mites and was so skinny. I got rid of the mites and he started eating. He is doing really good now. I can't turn away in iguanas. I have rescued many iguanas over the past ten years.
     
    reptileden0 likes this.

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