New here and got a Q

Hello all, i have recently found this site from searching around on google and thought this one looked nice with some people that know there stuff on Iguana's. Well recently i have gone off to college and left my Iguana at my parents home because they do not like them in the dorms. well my little sister has been "taking care" of my iguana wile ive been away, and it seems to have some issues now, When i came back i thought it was dead at first, checked it out and he was just sleeping i guess, now it seems to not eat at all and dose not move around. I will pick it up and what not and he will start to move but other than that he just lays on his log in the cage. I have had him for around 3 years now and never had this problem. im begening to think he needs a new owner seeing how my parents/sister cannot take care of him properly. Any thought on what might be his problem? ive tried giving him all sorts of fresh food, taking him out and rapping him with a sorta heated towel. nothing seems to work to make him active again? any advise? Thanks!

~Nate

Is it being kept in the same conditions you kept it in? What are they?
What food has it been fed since you been gone?

I will start with these questions and them move on.

Its cage was outside in our patio for awhile untill it recently started to get cold out and they have brought it back inside. Most recent it has been feed cantaloupe(witch it loves to eat usaly) and some regular iguana type food pellits(it also likes those). but it hasent eatin in about a week they said. they maily feed it collard greens,cantilope, and pellets though they told me.

but at what temperatures has it been kept? Has it had access to full spectrum or direct sunlight (the fact that it was on the patio does not necessarily answer this)

Originally Posted by hhmoore

but at what temperatures has it been kept? Has it had access to full spectrum or direct sunlight (the fact that it was on the patio does not necessarily answer this)

sorry, yes it has had a heat lamp and its uv light on and the cage sits right next to the patio door so the sun can get to it. they were not monitoring the temp outside but the house stays at like 80 in the day and about 75 at night. only thing that worries me if they forgot the heat lamp on or something a couple nights outside? i dunno but he will not move around at all really

Also i have heard if they are cold they will turn a darker color? is this true? because latley i have been worried he was cold or something but he seems to be a lighter color, and the cage is not a inclosed cage with like plexiglass or something, it has like screen around it so air can go through it easy. is that a bad thing? ive never had problems with this before...

Florida is a humid place, so a screen cage should not be a problem. Some iguanas do turn a dark green when they are not healthy, cold, and etc. Some do not. My iguana is not very active, she is very laid back and does sleeps a lot, but as soon as she sees food, I have seen her jump very far to get to that plate as fast a possible.

Does your iguana have easy access to water? I am wondering if the pellets may be impacted, pellets are okay, though they should be mixed with water before feeding.

Have you taken him to the vet? This looks to be the next step for you, after 3 years you should know your iguana very well, if you are concerned than I would definitely have him checked out.

Originally Posted by Junkyard

Florida is a humid place, so a screen cage should not be a problem. Some iguanas do turn a dark green when they are not healthy, cold, and etc. Some do not. My iguana is not very active, she is very laid back and does sleeps a lot, but as soon as she sees food, I have seen her jump very far to get to that plate as fast a possible.

Does your iguana have easy access to water? I am wondering if the pellets may be impacted, pellets are okay, though they should be mixed with water before feeding.

Have you taken him to the vet? This looks to be the next step for you, after 3 years you should know your iguana very well, if you are concerned than I would definitely have him checked out.

yup he has a huge water dish in his cage. Thank you for all your help i will see about taking him to a local vet.

Good decision, please keep us updated.

bad news guys...... set up a opointment with the local reptile vet for thursday, woke up today and he had passed away last night i guess i feel really bad right now seing how i had him for almost 5 years i was just playing with him last night and he seemed to be recovering, IDK what happend, but im just too shocked right now..may he RIP