----- Original Message -----

 

Hi, this is Adam, Falkor's owner. I just want to give more details on Falkor with his climbing issues. He climbs up pretty well, it's like his daily routine to climb up the side of his habitat to get a different view through his window. But, when he climbs up, he'll stay there unless I get him down, like he can't climb down.
The thing that's got us thinking that he may have spinal issues, is that the majority of the time whenever he's on a flat surface, he bends to the right at probably a 60 degree angle. He also turns sharp to the right when eating. Another note worthy statement in all this is that due to his eyes swelling, he's grown accustomed to only using his left eye to see most of the time. So his turning to the right may be an attempt at getting a "head on" view with his left eye (just a thought)
He is improving greatly though, he's almost tripled the amount of food he eats, and today for the first time he actually looked at me with his right eye. The swelling is decreasing, his activity increasing. Still having some balance issues, so I make sure to keep his floor well padded, the only time falling from his basking stand becomes an issue is while he's chewing, during which time I stay in with him and keep a hand on his right side to prevent incident. All this assistance needed is also greatly increasing trust between us.
Thanks for all of your time and concern!

>
> IMO, any iguana that is in the early stages of recovering from MBD or shows signs of problems with climbing or back issues should live in a flat cage with only a slightly inclined branch or ramp. Otherwise, the iguana could fall and create even worse injuries.
>
> Although a glass tank or wood or molded plastic flat "snake cage" aren't generally recommended for iguanas, I use them for iguanas in these categories and also for those recovering from surgery. The cage should be wide enough for the iguana to turn around and long enough to allow some mobility.
>
> If there is no hope of recovery from the problem, then a large flat cage is a good idea. My elderly Agent Orange has permanent pseudomonas infection of his spine despite long-term use of multiple medications. He is a freeroamer who spends much of his summer days outdoors (he doesn't climb trees) or resting on either the heating pad next to my computer or on his nighttime sleeping spot on top of a "cat condo". I put him up there at bedtime and get him down to shower in the morning but he also has safe access using a wide PVC-coated vinyl ladder at an angle that is not steep.
>
>
> --- In AdvancedIguanaCare@yahoogroups.com, "nannette4iguanas" <nangunn@> wrote:
> >
> > I'm posting this for Falkor's owner. Falkor is the iguana who had swollen eyes.
> >
> > The vet took multiple X-rays to check for bone abnormalities around the eyes, and no bone abnormalities were found. Falkor's Uric acid test came back, 1.9mg/dL. The vet said that is on the low side of normal, but still within a healthy range.
> >
> >
> > Falkor's eyes are slightly less swollen. The vet only took x-rays of the head. Please look at Falkor's album and view the last photo, which I've just uploaded. I'm concerned about his back. Notice his back in the photo. Also note that Falkor cannot climb up or down without assistance.
> >
> > Is there a reason to x-ray the rest of the body to check the spine and the rest of the bones for fractures? Is it worth the money to do that, or is there nothing they can do about it anyway?
> >
> > Falkor, as you may remember, had no UVB at all until recently (he now has a MegaRay).
> > Thanks,
> > Nannette
> >
>