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It's not easy to think like an iguana. I've
been attempting to do so for twelve years now, and I still fail.
Sometimes ,while watching them, you can see the little wheels
turning. You can tell they are figuring how to climb that sheer wall to
reach the picture frame, so you can be ready to catch them on
takeoff. Other times, your iguana's attempt to fly up there comes
as a complete and startling surprise, as they slide back to the floor,
scrambling, flailing.
Accordingly, attempting to prevent accidents and emergencies with your
green iguana, can be a challenge. You'd think that after twelve years of
observing my Eeghana, it would be second nature to me. But no -- it
appears to be part of THEIR job and their secret iguana code, to
surprise, alarm, amaze, and worry their humans. Still, it is part of OUR
job, to try to prevent accidents and emergencies.
I researched iguana care before I ever picked out my little hatchling; I
thought I was educated and prepared. However, every iguana owner needs
to commit themselves to ongoing research, as there are frequently new
findings on nutrition, habitat design, UVB sources, humidity, and
medical care.
There are several good
books which cover iguana care and needs, notably: James Hatfield's
"Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owners Manuel" and Melissa
Kaplan's "Iguanas for Dummies." In addition, there are
some informative forums in Yahoo!Groups: Iguana Den and Iguana
Mail List, as well as the more narrowly focused Advanced Iguana Mail
list.
Just reading is not enough. Iguana owners need to be willing to admit
they have not been doing things sufficiently and to make changes. It
seems like there is always something to change and perfect.
Reading
about things that happen to others, is a reminder of things to be
prepared for when/if it happens to your pet. As time passes, we get busy
with our lives; it is only human to become complacent, to just assume
and to take for granted that everything is fine. It is iguana nature to
hide their injuries -- it's our responsibility to look them over each
time we handle or tend to them. I failed to see my iguana's recent
injury for a day or two.
Please -- examine your
green iguanas more carefully, on a very regular, if not daily, basis.
Do what you can to educate yourself and to prevent accidents, as well as
providing the best possible nutrition and habitat. But also know that
accidents
can, and do, happen, even under care of the best of owners.
Accordingly, you
need to prepare!
HAVE A HERP VET -- NOW.
When you first get your iguana, whether a hatchling or a full grown
rescue,
you need to have it checked out by a competent herp vet.
There are a number of reasons for this:
1. You will have an opportunity to decide if this particular vet is the
one
you want to regularly examine your iguana. (If he advises feeding animal
proteins or has an office iguana being kept on mulch or bark, keep
looking -- find a
more knowledgeable herp vet.)
2. The vet can evaluate and treat any health problem. Parasites are
common,
so are early stages of metabolic bone disease, mites, and other problems
which
herp vets are trained to perceive.
3. The vet will become accustomed to what is "normal" for your
iguana, so
that he will see subtle changes as time passes. An annual exam is highly
advised
for every iguana. The owner, seeing the iguana every day, may not notice
tiny
differences, but the vet, seeing the iguana only periodically, can
perceive
problems before they become too advanced, as long as he has had the
opportunity
to become accustomed with the iguana's condition during previous visits.
4. Though it may sound insignificant, an important advantage of having
your
vet early on is that, in an emergency, you are not a stranger to your
vet. He
is more likely to extend some credit, allowing you to make payments over
time,
if there suddenly is a major bill. Also be aware that some vets will not
see
an emergency case unless it is already their client.
5. You don't want to have to locate a qualified vet in the middle of an
emergency. This was brought home to me when I finally saw Eeghana's
injury. Within five minutes I had called her vet. In less than 2 hours,
we were in his office. I
was frantic and worried. I cannot conceive of the additional
horror I would
have experienced, if I had had to try to locate a herp vet on short
notice,
making phone call after call, with Eeghana in pain. Also, once
your vet comes to
know you, he will more likely see you as an able and active participant
during
treatment. You and your vet work as a team to provide the best
possible life
for your iguana.
So while you are admiring your iguana, wondering what is going through
that
little green mind, remember -- you have definite responsibilities toward
this
magnificent creature in your care: ongoing education, observation,
commitment
to provide the very best you can, and last, but certainly NOT
least: proper
vet care for the iguana's entire lifetime.
Links To Finding a
Vet
One of the best sites available for
learning about what to look for in a vet and how to find one is Melissa
Kaplan's http://www.anapsid.org/vets/
OTHER SITES INCLUDE
http://www.iguanafirst.com/Vets.htm
http://www.reptilekeeper.co.uk/repvets.php
http://www.reptileinfo.com/vet.html
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