Iggy's 'Odd Behavior' Continued

A couple posts ago I mentioned how Iggy had a week of yellow urates and decreased appetite. On Sunday of this past week, after properly freaking myself out reading Melissa Kaplan's kidney disease articles, I made a vet appointment. I know how iguanas like to hide sickness so I wasn't going to chance it, but still everyone kept telling me that it was either nothing or, perhaps, she was in season. Well, wouldn't you know it, one hour after I made the appointment she started eating a big plate of food. I figured it was a fluke, so I kept the appointment.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday she ate 1.5-2 plates worth and also started pooping regularly and with her normal healthy looking urates. On Thursday afternoon, I canceled the 4:30 appointment (sorry Animal House of Chicago!) Iggy seemed completely back to 'normal' so I figured I would just keep an eye out for any signs of becoming gravid, then make an appointment for possible x-rays, etc. In the mean time, I ordered a calcium supplement and will be feeding her a way more varied diet of leafy greens. She usually eats collards plus one other green but now she has 4 different.

I don't know if this had anything to do with her feeling better and more hungry but she was out on our bed Sunday-Thursday, basking under her MegaRay and laying next to her humidifier. She seemed way more comfortable on a queen size bed vs her 4' wide 1' deep shelf in her enclosure. She moved around more, rubbed her head on the towels, ventured down and up the bed a few times and then fell asleep around 5pm each night.

Today she hung out on her tree, laid on the window sill and now is quite comfortable on her new pillow!

I wanted to mention to those reading, I did not cancel the vet due to laziness or financial issues. Many people ask my opinion on whether they should take their iguana to the vet and quite often, they should. But I have read a lot on iguanas, know my girl's habits and health, and have many reliable experienced people to ask for advice- so that is why I canceled the appointment. I know a vet visit is probably in the very near future but I felt that taking her now, (also in a cab in 15 degree weather) would be more stressful.

Luckily, I found a great herp vet only about 40 minutes from where I will be in NJ!

 

A little dark looking- notice her dewlap is extended to absorb more heat. Can't wait until I can let her hang out on the windowsill with no glass blocking out the UVB!

 

So pretty : )

I placed this pillow inside and the second she saw it she walked over, tongue flicked, rubbed her head and then stuck an arm back...So cute!