Wiix,

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how hard you've worked at your relationship with him. If you don't have much hope for him it might be worth checking with local vets to see if anyone is sympathetic and game enough to try to help. Vets have vet only forums so even if they aren't familiar with an animal or condition they can get information.

If gas anesthesia is safe for iguanas (it is even for tiny dwarf hamsters), I would think they could knock him out long enough to get a peek in his throat. If you can see it, then whatever it is must be reachable. It could be a very easy fix.

Sending prayers and hugs, :hug:

Thank you for your advice. :o

I am hoping that Bela is starting to feel a little better and is able to pull through. Iguanas do have a tendency to eat things that they are not supposed to eat. If something became lodged in his mouth, it is difficult to tell if it became lodged on its way down or its way up, so unless you have experience to pull it out yourself, I would recommend having someone who does have some experience removing it. If you can't find a vet in the area, talk with the people at a pet store that has a lot of experience with reptiles. They may be able to help, or be able to recommend someone who can.

Iguanas are also prone to mouth rot. It is very much like periodontal disease in people. If this is the problem, it needs to be treated as soon as possible before more complications come up.

Either way, knowing how much care and love you have put into Bela, I would find him a vet that is willing to work with him. Any vet that has experience with any reptiles should be able to help, but if you can't find one, vets with experience with birds or even small mammals can usually figure things out rather easily. Although anesthesia with reptiles should only be used in an extreme emergency. Anesthetic of any kind tends to send reptiles into shock and quite often does too much harm to their system.

Thanks Alaina,

I'm so glad you chimed in because obviously I don't know squat about iguanas. Whatever may be safe to use for them might take a reptile specialist to know. I'm hoping someone is willing to take a look at the little guy. I don't know how tolerant iguanas are of exam but you're right, the vets that take care of birds and small mammals do have skill at caring for reluctant patients.

Hoping Bella pulls through, :hug:

Bela' died tonight. We were sleeping at the time and my hand was on him. :(

Wiix,

I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you. I hope you find some comfort in Bela having passed peacefully while sleeping in your company. It is obvious he came to trust you and I know that is an irreplaceable lose. Be kind to yourself.

:hug::hug::hug:

I am so sorry to hear this. He was in such loving care and I really enjoyed reading about you raising him.

Many hugs to you :hug::hug::hug:

I'm so sorry, Wiix. :hug:

I'm taking care to sterilize everything he came into contact with. All his tiny toys and pillows and blankets. Just in case I decide to get another one. I miss him so much. He was a joy to have. I loved him so much.

I have had over 30 of them some 6 at a time but I can only handle one at a time now. I may or may not get another one. We'll have to see how things go.

Some died very young, some lived to be 12 to 15 years old. I have had fun with all of them.

Next thing I have to do is put him in the lake, back to nature and God. :o

Well, he's in the lake. All the sterilizing is done. I think about him a lot. I miss his tiny face. :(