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Hey guys
I just recently rescued a Hatchling Green Iguana from a family who didn't know how to properly care for him. At one point he got too cold and "froze to death" and they put him in the shower for two days and he "came back to life." Then later he escaped and was attacked by their cat. They did not have proper UV lighting or food (Iguana pellets and frozen mustard greens that are mushy when thawed) and have him in a 10 gallon tank (he still fits but barely - I am building him a bigger cage).
Recently though he molted and developed about 3 tiny holes in his Dewlap. At first they were pretty small. I do not think that they are from the cat attack as they did not appear until he started molting. :S They are not swollen or anything, just there. I don't think he got them from rubbing either though it is definitely a possibility...I don't have anything really sharp in the cage though and the holes look more like old holes that have always been there (only they haven't) but they are getting bigger.
On the front of his face he had developed a black spot. It wasn't there before (that I noticed) or at least not nearly as bad. It looked almost like the scales are a little shriveled and I do not think that it is molting. It was like a small black/dark brown spot on his lower lip and a couple of scales seem a bit withered...he was still molting. Then overnight the spot turned brown to deep black. Last night I looked at it and it was black with the center, most shriveled scale, missing, then I looked tonight and the black scales have all Fallen Off!!!! Now it is a clear-ish (because u can see the translucent skin underneath with all the scales missing) red and looks painful. I don't think he is eating much either! Not that I can blame him the poor little guy! He seems to be eating mainly at night... I have a vet appointment for him but it is not for a week!
I feel SO bad for him! My lizard is just dissolving away!
What can I do in the meanwhile? He does not seem to be behaving differently other than the fact that he is more aggressive (which could be due to actually having good nutrition an is no longer lacking for good energy-he has been eating fine up until the last day or so-or to feeling in pain). He lets me touch and examine the holes in his dewlap without any problem (I haven't tried touching his lip since the scales fell off, though he didn't object when they were black), but the holes are definitely getting bigger. I just want to make him feel better! Does anyone have any advice to help me get him through the next week?
Also, On one side his Tympanic scale seems dark and withered. I thought it was because he was molting it? But I am pretty sure he is mainly done molting for now (all the major stuff anyways) and it is still there. It seems smaller, but not by much. It was there when I got him too. it is like a dark, withered, dead patch and seems to be stuck partially inside his head (ear canal?). I can see part of the Tympanic scale underneath it and it looks normal, but the rest of it is taken over by this big dead-scale-thing. Has anyone else seen this before? Is it because he is molting or could it be some sort of infection/injury? (His cat-scars are looking better by the way, so that is good at least.)
If anyone can point me in the right direction as far as research, potential causes, etc (I would like to try to figure out what this all is) and ESPECIALLY something I can do to help him until his appointment Next Wednesday I would REALLY appreciate it! Thanks! sorry for the long post...🙁
I just recently rescued a Hatchling Green Iguana from a family who didn't know how to properly care for him. At one point he got too cold and "froze to death" and they put him in the shower for two days and he "came back to life." Then later he escaped and was attacked by their cat. They did not have proper UV lighting or food (Iguana pellets and frozen mustard greens that are mushy when thawed) and have him in a 10 gallon tank (he still fits but barely - I am building him a bigger cage).
Recently though he molted and developed about 3 tiny holes in his Dewlap. At first they were pretty small. I do not think that they are from the cat attack as they did not appear until he started molting. :S They are not swollen or anything, just there. I don't think he got them from rubbing either though it is definitely a possibility...I don't have anything really sharp in the cage though and the holes look more like old holes that have always been there (only they haven't) but they are getting bigger.
On the front of his face he had developed a black spot. It wasn't there before (that I noticed) or at least not nearly as bad. It looked almost like the scales are a little shriveled and I do not think that it is molting. It was like a small black/dark brown spot on his lower lip and a couple of scales seem a bit withered...he was still molting. Then overnight the spot turned brown to deep black. Last night I looked at it and it was black with the center, most shriveled scale, missing, then I looked tonight and the black scales have all Fallen Off!!!! Now it is a clear-ish (because u can see the translucent skin underneath with all the scales missing) red and looks painful. I don't think he is eating much either! Not that I can blame him the poor little guy! He seems to be eating mainly at night... I have a vet appointment for him but it is not for a week!
I feel SO bad for him! My lizard is just dissolving away!
Also, On one side his Tympanic scale seems dark and withered. I thought it was because he was molting it? But I am pretty sure he is mainly done molting for now (all the major stuff anyways) and it is still there. It seems smaller, but not by much. It was there when I got him too. it is like a dark, withered, dead patch and seems to be stuck partially inside his head (ear canal?). I can see part of the Tympanic scale underneath it and it looks normal, but the rest of it is taken over by this big dead-scale-thing. Has anyone else seen this before? Is it because he is molting or could it be some sort of infection/injury? (His cat-scars are looking better by the way, so that is good at least.)
If anyone can point me in the right direction as far as research, potential causes, etc (I would like to try to figure out what this all is) and ESPECIALLY something I can do to help him until his appointment Next Wednesday I would REALLY appreciate it! Thanks! sorry for the long post...🙁
