It was elven years ago.

[komodo]

When I was a child my parents bought me a baby green iguana on my tenth birthday. At first it was great he should no signs of illness, but after three or six months it got vary ill. Now I would like to know what he died of. I'm going to tell you what the habitat set up he was living in (keep in mind that this was elven years ago, and the knowledge for iguanas' was not as will known as today), and his symptoms before he passed away. He had a gotten a fresh meal, water, and I also held him and showed him a lot of love everyday. He lived in a 20 gallon tank, it had a hot rock, a regular basking light, a wood chip Terran, and his diet contain Romain lettuce, soften monkey chow, and sometimes crickets. the first signs of illness was when he shed his skin some parts did not flake off, instead it just harden and looked like a big Grey bulge, especially around his hind legs. The only way to take it off was letting it sock under water to soften it, then peeling it off, leaving behind a dark mark. Then its tail dried up and flattened. He didn't move that much and wouldn't eat or chase his crickets. at the end me and my dad let him go in some park. I'm pretty sure he passed away that night. I posted this because I wanted to know what illness calmed his life and how to prevent this to ever happen to my new iguana. I know that the things I listed here are now consider to be bad for the health of any iguana. I believed that he had MBD, but I also think he had other illnesses. What do you think my Yong iguana died of?

[Marie]

So sorry for your loss of your iguana back then. I know how hard it is to lose a pet especially you may be somehow at fault. But just learn from the past and your iguana now will live a long life being loved by you and loving you.

Yes the 20 gallon was too too small to get the correct temps--basking 92-98 ambient of 80-85, and the coolest spot not below 75-80. The hot rock most likely caused some thermal burns causing tough sheds. The tail may have been injured, died and then got dry gangrene. The diet may have caused kidney failure along with the MBD. The basking light most likely did not provide UVB which would have also contributed to the MBD. The wood chips if he swallowed any which is likely if he was chasing crickets in it, may have impacted him or caused dehydration. Dehydration if severe enough will cause kidney damage and failure. Also the lack of vet care did not help--please don't take offense. Instead of releasing him, it would have been kinder to take him to the vet to be put down humanely. He may not have died that night (but most likely did). He may have suffered before dying. I don't mean to be harsh but hope that if you are faced with the same situation you may reconsider just releasing the pet. I also made mistakes that caused my pets to suffer when I was a kid so I don't mean to sound condemning.

The best thing now though is to make sure your iguana gets a good diet, proper temperatures, and good UVB. And vet care when ever he needs it. Just because iguanas only cost $10-$20 to acquire doesn't mean they are cheap pets. They require a huge investment which includes large vet bills sometimes.

[komodo]

That is why I am doing my research this time . But I was only ten, and pet stores don't know much . They are just their to sell . I was surprise that the guy who helped me with my iguana this time didn't try to sell me a hot rock . Maybe its because he has an iguana .

[Marie]

Yes and we are glad you are researching. Ask if you have any questions.