Iguana stunted growth?

[SCWood]

Our iggy, Lady, is still super tiny! She lost her tail a while ago and that's when it all went downhill. I haven't seen her shed since, and she eats very poorly (though much better now than at first). I feed her a mix of leafy greens and veggies every morning and a tiny bowl of pellets. I can tell she's eating just a wee bit and occasionally pellets will disappear, but there are still no signs of growth. She does poop a lot. She still climbs and hangs on well. She has a heat lamp and we have her cage where the rays of the sun can hit her. She runs from me when I try to hold her UNLESS I approach from behind her. Then she will struggle and try to bite. The nub where her tail was has gotten a bit longer but it is black :/ She mostly seems alert and moves around her cage when she thinks we aren't watching, but I never actually see her eating and some days she just lays flat and sleeps under her log and I can't help but think she is having a hard time. I soak her once a week in lukewarm water to keep her hydrated and she seems to enjoy it. We have no local herp vets what can I do for her? I'm guessing she is between 6-12 months...we got her when she was maybe 1-2 months...I will double check. I will also get her SVL and weight..

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[SCWood]

Okay, so the first pic I have was 21 weeks ago and it's actually of Gus (her brother) because we had the 2 of them together until her accident. So 5.25 months...she's probably 6-8 months old. Anyway, here is Gus from 21 weeks ago

He was always shedding and acting all big and bad.


1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[Daigga]

The tail won't grow back, just so you know. There might be some growth, but it will be associated with regular growth in the area and not regeneration, since iguanas don't do that. How long has it been since she lost her tail and/or you noticed her growth slowing? Do you weigh her in frequently, or are you just judging by the way she looks? Pictures are always helpful, if you have them.

A herp vet is usually going to be your best bet if you feel this is a serious problem, and if you have to drive a ways to find one that might just be a sacrifice you have to make. You can try jump starting her appetite with some fruits like mango and papaya, and sometimes bananas or grapes (mango and papaya are a great part of their daily diet, but bananas and grapes are more a once a week thing). Hand feeding her some fruits she likes can also be a nice method of taming her down if she's that spooky.

[Lizardlicks]

Actually, a green ig's tail SHOULD grow back, albeit it will never come back quite as long or nicely shaped as it originally was. It's much easier for young igs to fully regenerate their tails than older lizards. That the tip is turning black and she has a depressed appetite highly concerns me. As with any herp, you need to double check that her habitat is correctly set up and that humidity and temps are correct. I would definitely advise taking her into the vet and have them examine the break point if you haven't already. If the tail become gangrenous the vet will need to amputate more tissue to prevent the infection from spreading and killing your lizard.

Oh and since you asked before, I found a couple videos regarding green iguana taming. The trick with igs is persistence and patience.

[jclaiborne]

Where are you located that there is no Herp Vet? I agree with Daigga sometimes you have to bite the bullet and drive a ways to get to a vet.

[SCWood]

The tail won't grow back, just so you know. There might be some growth, but it will be associated with regular growth in the area and not regeneration, since iguanas don't do that. How long has it been since she lost her tail and/or you noticed her growth slowing? Do you weigh her in frequently, or are you just judging by the way she looks? Pictures are always helpful, if you have them.

A herp vet is usually going to be your best bet if you feel this is a serious problem, and if you have to drive a ways to find one that might just be a sacrifice you have to make. You can try jump starting her appetite with some fruits like mango and papaya, and sometimes bananas or grapes (mango and papaya are a great part of their daily diet, but bananas and grapes are more a once a week thing). Hand feeding her some fruits she likes can also be a nice method of taming her down if she's that spooky.

She broke it off 13 weeks ago. She is 5" SVL and 58g

Actually, a green ig's tail SHOULD grow back, albeit it will never come back quite as long or nicely shaped as it originally was. It's much easier for young igs to fully regenerate their tails than older lizards. That the tip is turning black and she has a depressed appetite highly concerns me. As with any herp, you need to double check that her habitat is correctly set up and that humidity and temps are correct. I would definitely advise taking her into the vet and have them examine the break point if you haven't already. If the tail become gangrenous the vet will need to amputate more tissue to prevent the infection from spreading and killing your lizard.

Oh and since you asked before, I found a couple videos regarding green iguana taming. The trick with igs is persistence and patience.

I was worried about that :/

Where are you located that there is no Herp Vet? I agree with Daigga sometimes you have to bite the bullet and drive a ways to get to a vet.

I'm in south FL in jupiter. The nearest vet is called Harmony..it's in town and my work uses them but every time they have sent an iggy to them, they died. They told me not to go there and there are no other vets.

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

[Daigga]

I'm in south FL in jupiter. The nearest vet is called Harmony..it's in town and my work uses them but every time they have sent an iggy to them, they died. They told me not to go there and there are no other vets.

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn

You might check in at your local petsmart and see if that Banfield has a reptile specialist? They're kind of few and far between and not ever listed on the website, but it couldn't hurt to check.

[jclaiborne]

There are some people on this forum from Florida that may have suggestions. These links list some of the Herp Vets in Florida **Disclaimer, I am in California and do not know any of the listed vets** but I would assume there is something local to you?

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/florida.shtml

http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-ve...ptile-vets.24/

[John1982]

It's going to be about a 7 hour round trip for you to get up to my neck of the woods but I can recommend a couple places if you can't find anything closer.

First, Doctor Lori Wendland at Micanopy Animal Hospital.

..graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Following graduation, she came to work for Micanopy Animal Hospital part-time while she pursued a doctorate in Veterinary Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Pathology, PhD, 2007). Her research focused on the epidemiology of respiratory disease in wild gopher tortoises in Florida. Dr. Wendland now works at Micanopy Animal Hospital full-time and her special interests include exotic pets, especially rabbits and reptiles, wildlife diseases, and..

http://micanopyanimalhospital.com/in...menuhead=about




Second, UF college of veterinary medicine. The folks over at UF are pretty much cutting edge when it comes to exotic pets.

The University of Florida is recognized worldwide as a leader in reptile medicine. Our clinicians have extensive experience with a wide variety of reptiles, from tiny neonatal lizards to giant tortoises and crocodilians. Work at the University of Florida has led to understanding of many of the most important diseases of reptiles, including paramyxoviruses of snakes, adenoviruses of bearded dragons, herpesviruses of tortoises, and many others. Your pet reptile will receive the best care possible with the Zoological Medicine Service.

http://smallanimal.vethospital.ufl.e...-and-reptiles/

[SCWood]

I found a vet on the herp connection link that's in west palm. I will call them and ask for pricing

1.2 Normal
1.1 Red-tail
0.1 Albino corn