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Sammysmom WhipperSnapper Reptilelady Sammysmom Sammysmom Starcat Sammysmom Zechriel Xta Ferndalezoo Starcat Iluviggy Sammysmom Dallas0218 Iluviggy

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#359286

Sammysmom
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Need some help, Sammy is so thin

About 6 months ago while camping I came across an iguana in the woods of southern TN. Knowing that someone had just set the little guy free we took it home. We built a big cage and now have a pretty happy little guy we named Sammy. My problem with him is that he is still very thin. His belly area thickened up but his thighs are still very thin. Is there something I should be adding to his diet of spinach, friut in season, veggies and sometimes some chicken coz he loves chicken. He also gets some green leaf lettuse. I already know to stay away from other lettuse. Thanks for the help.
A very concerned mom

06/01/05 10:01am

#359295

WhipperSnapper
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Message To: Sammysmom In reference to Message Id: 359286

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

spinach is no good, try looking up more info on the diet of IGs

06/01/05 10:27am

#359296

Reptilelady
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Message To: Sammysmom In reference to Message Id: 359286

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

First can you answer some questions for us ?
1- how big is Sammy ?
2- what kind of lighting do you have for him ?
3- how big is his enclosure ?
as for diet I hope this help some :
Eighty to ninety percent of the diet should be chosen from collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, bok choy, Swiss chard, clover, red or green cabbage, watercress, savoy, kohlrabi, dandelions, escarole, parsley and alfalfa pellets. Beet greens and spinach contain oxalate’s that may bind dietary calcium should be offered only occasionally. The same goes for kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower because these bind iodine and may cause thyroid problems.
Ten to fifteen percent of the diet should be chosen from frozen mixed vegetables (which are great to feed on those busy mornings), squash, sprouts, carrots, cooked sweet potato, cucumber, okra, parsnips, spineless cactus pads, asparagus, mushrooms, green and red peppers, peas, beans, corn and green beans. Backyard weeds and grasses can be offered as forage But make sure there are no pesticides being used where you get them from . Fruit should make up the remainder of the diet. Fruits are usually preferentially consumed, but most are mineral-poor. Figs are one of the only fruits high in calcium, and these, along with apricots and dates, may be relished
Figs are one of the only fruits high in calcium, and these, along with apricots and dates, may be relished .

STAY AWAY FROM ALL MEATS ! Iguana’s are vegetarians and do not process meat proteins !

06/01/05 10:30am

#361680

Sammysmom
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Message To: Reptilelady In reference to Message Id: 359296

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

Sorry for the delay in answering after you were so kind to help me. But I went on the interview, got home they called me back for a second interview, got home and they called me back to fill out the paper work, yeah, I got the job all in one day. Ok back to my little buddy, Sammy.
how long is she/he(not sure what sex he is). With his tail(fully intact) about 3.5 feet long. Lighting- one uv reptile light and a heat lamp over the napping area, well one of the napping areas. lol lazy little fellow. The cage I built myself, it is six feet tall, and the floor measures 4’ x 4’. I wanted to make sure that he has enouph room to grow. I used zip ties for the attachment of the wire mesh so that the wire edges will be framed by wood, this provided protection for Sammy on the inside and my grandchildren on the outside. Didn’t want anyone getting scratched by the cage, I get enouph scratches from Sammy as it is. He is getting much more calm and actually loves to go for rides in the car and go for walks in the yard. I use to breed rabbits and we are using a rabbit harness on him while outside so we dont have any accidents, I think one stint in the woods is enouph to last the little guy a life time.
OK I printed what you said to feed him as the last iguana that i had had a lot of medical problems and diet could have been the problem. I offered him turnip green and mustard greens this morning along with mixed veggies, ocra, fresh stawberries and some apple. Of all that he through the turnip greens and mustard greens down on the floor and then polished off the plate by 3:00. He gets dinner at about 7 with all the other animals here so i will again try the greens. Is it not ok to give him green leaf lettuse, that is what he really likes and eats alot of. I know no iceburg. About the apricots, we eat alot of dried apricots, are those ok for sammy, we did not have any figs at the grocery store so I have not tried them yet. One more question, my last iguana ate chicken, not often and the vet said that was ok, he said that infact iguanas have been seen in the wild to eat bugs for protien, I dont give him alot of chicken, may 1 - 2 oz in a week as treat for being a good little guy. Should i stop this practise completely. I sure dont want anything to happen to him.

Thanks so much for your help I am looking forward to getting more info from you.

Sammysmom

06/03/05 08:27pm

#361714

Sammysmom
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Message To: Reptilelady In reference to Message Id: 359296

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

put pictures of both sammy and the cage on line here in the gallery. I dont know how to give you the exact place to look for them, there are alot of iggy pics out there. hope ya find them and can comment and if need be i will make changes to the cage. thanks again for all your help.

sammysmom

06/03/05 08:49pm

#361789

Starcat
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Message To: Sammysmom In reference to Message Id: 361714

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

What a cutie!! He’s a lucky guy to have been found by a good person who wants to take care of him!!

This is Jade, (She is rescued Iggy also) she’s about 14 months or so, and 30 inches.

06/03/05 10:36pm

#361953

Sammysmom
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Message To: Starcat In reference to Message Id: 361789

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

hey i did not know that i could do that, lol, all are babies look alot alike. Here are the pics of Sammy and his cage, I dont think is much bigger than your baby. I wonder if he is young and will still grow. For those of you who cared, and Reptilelady, thanks for the food assistance. Tonight I gave sammy the meal as I have done for the last two days, but we have success he ate all the greens and has desided that ocra is goooood.

06/04/05 02:16am

#362030

Zechriel
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Message To: Sammysmom In reference to Message Id: 361953

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

WOW you did an awesome job on that cage! And he looks so happy to be inside. Lizard Den and Green Ig Society have super web pages. Keep up the good work!

06/04/05 08:41am

#362102

Xta
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Message To: Sammysmom In reference to Message Id: 359286

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

Defintiely stay away from chicken or meat. Veggies are the best (collards, mustards, turnip greens, escarole, endive, watercress, dandelion), squash, a little fruit (mango, barries, papaya)

Check out the sites mentioned above for a list of more veggies.

06/04/05 10:24am

#362323

Ferndalezoo
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Message To: Xta In reference to Message Id: 362102

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

One thing on the cage: It looks like your UV light (do you have one? with UVB not just uva) is too high, too far from Sammy. And yes, stop the chicken.

06/04/05 04:09pm

#364347

Starcat
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Message To: Ferndalezoo In reference to Message Id: 362323

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

I have to agree about the cage, great job!! We are going to build ours out of PVC and this mesh-like material. I’ll post pics when we are finished, I can’t wait!!

06/06/05 11:13pm

#364353

Iluviggy
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Message To: Starcat In reference to Message Id: 364347

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

hey, that’s almost exactly like my cage! i copied some of the inside of Xta’s cage... w/ the pvc jungle gym type stuff. looks great!

06/06/05 11:18pm

#364491

Sammysmom
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Message To: Iluviggy In reference to Message Id: 364353

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

So tell me about this pvc jungle gym, do the iggys like them, Sammy had a bad situation and found me, I want to make the rest of h/her days wonderful. Spoil spoil spoil. LOL

06/07/05 01:57am

#364531

Dallas0218
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Message To: Sammysmom In reference to Message Id: 364491

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

Here is a site with some different PVC cages for Igs. PVC cages

06/07/05 02:54am

#364579

Iluviggy
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Message To: Dallas0218 In reference to Message Id: 364531

Need some help, Sammy is so thin

i agree w/ the fact that the uvb is too far away. also, definitely follow the advice given on diet change. continue doing the reasearch and you’ll learn lots more..
the pvc jungle gym was posted on here on an older thread. try scroling through Xta’s pics, or maybe she can repost it here.

06/07/05 07:15am

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