Spiny Tail Iguana Pics..

Beleive it or not, he looks better than he did.

For those of you just getting the info on this little baby:
* I was brought this little guy by someone who claimed to have rescued it from their neighbor's empty apartment. He had no cage, lighting, heat, food or water for over a week according to the guy that brought him to me.
* Had him for about a week-week and a half now.
* At first he was lethargic, refusing food, and probably the CLOSEST to death of any animal Ive ever rescued. :(
* I was instructed to administer saline injections once a day untill he started eating.. Which seems to have brought around a significant improvement. He's eating quite a bit, soaking, moving around in the cage, and pooping OFTEN!
* This weekend I will worm him, and see if that makes an improvement on his saggy, scrawny appearance.

Any advice from experienced Spiny Tailed keepers would be more than welcome and appreciated. (OTHER THAN telling me to keep him warm and offer food..I actually had someone suggest that...eeesh!)

Right now, I have him housed in a large tank 75gal (which is big now..lol)
He has UVA/UVB lighting 12hrs a day, and gets to go outside in a mesh cage when its warm enough.. Gets 100-110 basking area, and 84/90 ambient temps for cool/warm cage temps. Obviously he has a large water bowl, and so far all I can get it to eat is crickets, so I've been dusting them well with Vit. and Calcium powder. I've offered strawberries, cantaloupe, mustard greens, collards, squash..he buries them! I think they are primarily carnivores as babies..but thought I would at least offer :)
When I 1st got him:
(clickable thumbnails)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f5...h_9750655a.jpg
Before and during a soak while I cleaned the cage :)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f5...h_IM000931.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f5...h_IM000909.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f5...h_IM000917.jpg

He's a cute little booger! From what you say, it seems like he's responding to your treatments. I don't have any advice since I have no experience with these guys, but I did want to say how awesome it is to hear of others taking such care to help abused/neglected animals. It sounds like you're getting him through the critical stage and I'll bet he thrives in your care and lives a long, happy life!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

He's a cute little booger! From what you say, it seems like he's responding to your treatments. I don't have any advice since I have no experience with these guys, but I did want to say how awesome it is to hear of others taking such care to help abused/neglected animals. It sounds like you're getting him through the critical stage and I'll bet he thrives in your care and lives a long, happy life!

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Me too, he's already got quite a fan following, and a few ppl interested in adopting him down the road when he is established, healthy, and ready :D
This is probably the WORST Ive seen a lizard, and Ive had snout damages, broken legs..etc.. But as far as starvation/dehydration..this tops it all.
Ive had snakes that died and looked better than this little guy does NOW..lol