I dont know why I do this to myself...Iguana

Sasha2 · 11-25-15, 10:19 AM

So I was given an iguana this week and he is one sick puppy.
He has a serious jaw infection and hasnt eaten in a few months. He also has tail rot which if he survives the infection will need to come off.
He was on Clindamycin and is now on Metronidazole and calcium. He did drink quite a bit of juice from a syringe this morning but is so lethargic.
I am going to the vet today to see about getting a radiograph to make sure he doesnt also have an obstruction of some kind...His name is Loki but if he survives and stays with me I am going to rename him.

If anyone has any good advice please let me know if there is more I can do. Our vets here are not reptile vets and are doing the best they know how.

Sylphie · 11-25-15, 10:21 AM

Uh, poor baby

But he's lucky that he's in good hands now. Hope everything will be fine soon and good luck with him!

**Minkness** · 11-25-15, 10:54 AM

Make sure he is getting good UV lights as well. You can also do a greens/vegie smoothie for him since he took the juice from a syringe. A little bit of yogurt (just plain or if it's organic/all natural, a fruit kind is fine too) to help him digest it easier.

I also suggest tail amputation for the tail rot if that's possible to lower the infection process, but that is best left to the discression of a vet.

If the jaw infection is external, and he's not a fighter, try a hot compress on it. Just take hot water and mix epson salt in it, then used a wash cloth (not paper towels) and soak it gently by holding it to the infected area. The heat and epson salt help draw the infection. Do this for about 10 minutes or until the tissues are softer. Then clean the area gently with some peroxide.

Do this once or twice a day.

If it's internal, you will need special meds perscribed by the vet.

Good luck. I hope he makes it.

Sasha2 · 11-25-15, 11:26 AM

Its was an abscess but it burst with the former owner but the jaw is still swollen. I also have some Nolvasan to disinfect the area. I agree with the tail coming off its still pretty far down but I think at this point he will die under anesthesia. He is just soooo lethargic even when I gave him a good soak.
Ive got the heat bumped to 90 at the hottest point.

**Minkness** · 11-25-15, 12:58 PM

Poor baby =(

I'll be sending positive vibes his way for you and hope for the best.

**Aaron_S** · 11-25-15, 01:07 PM

Iguana's tails can come off naturally if they wish so I wouldn't suspect he'd need some big surgery requiring anesthsia as long as the rot isn't too close to the body.

**Minkness** · 11-25-15, 01:12 PM

You have a good point.

Sasha2 · 11-25-15, 06:01 PM

The vet closed at noon and wont be open till Friday so will go then. I have to pick up meds for the dogs anyway.
Im just going to run it by him about the tail and the quick xray. He is already on antibiotics and calcium so not much else to do. He hasnt moved except to open his eyes and he just looks miserable.

This has really put a damper on my new cornsnakes I got today. Its hard to be excited when I got this poor guy so sick..

Klaire · 11-25-15, 09:18 PM

Best of luck with him. he's such a beautiful boy, It's horrible when our pets get sick but he looks like a fighter hang in there

**Aaron_S** · 11-26-15, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

You have a good point.

What other kind do I have?

Sasha2 · 11-26-15, 10:30 AM

Well after giving him his meds this morning along with some diluted cgd with juice I watched him for awhile and know for sure he also has a respiratory infection.
So with the jaw infection, an RI and tail rot, its not looking good. This what happens when a moron owner lets his sick iguana free range with no heat, the thing was sitting on his computer charger trying to stay warm when I picked him up..

I am setting up a f10 nebulizer tomorrow(I wont be home today). Luckily the antibiotics he is currently on is also good for some bacterial RI's.. Wont know for sure if its the right one without a culture though.