He zipped off the bed without me noticing 2 days ago. I found him last night hiding under the rolls of toilet paper. His tail was sticking right out, I almost stepped on it. He figured if he couldn't see me I couldn't see him. :winky: He's been a bit weird since. :o

I think he may be starting puberty. This may be the first time. They generally start the mating rituals in a few weeks and they last a few months. But he does seem a bit young for that, but maybe not. :confused:

I don't think he is aware of time. He'll take a nap with me no matter what time of day it is?? :confused:

He really tries now to get out of the tank by himself. He's getting taller. :D But usually he waits for me to take him out. He's such a good boy. :hug:

I think he's in a sleeping mode. :confused:

I think he ate something that made him sick for a few days. His poop wasn't normal yesterday and he was very clingy with his Mum. I hope he's ok now. :o When we're sleeping he just rests his tiny head on my cheek. He clutches my face with his tiny hands. He's so cute. :wink:

Sometimes I just thank God I have him. :winky: Who else could put up with me. :confused:

He did his first head bob today. :D

He has been really sick for about a week now. I think he's a little better today but I still will keep an eye on him. He stopped eating for a few days but he eating a little now and only at night. I think it has to do with that gagging thing he does. I think maybe he ate something that got stuck in his throat. :confused: Poor baby. :(

Wiix,

Do you have an exotics vet that you trust to take a look if the gagging/poor eating continues? We have one for our hamster and I've been very impressed with their skill with those little guys.

Hope your baby feels better soon

There are no specialitity vets around here, I've tried.

I have looked in his mouth. I see something in there. It's on the side next to his tongue. He's still not eating. I don't hold much hope for him. :(

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. :(

I'm starting to think about getting another iguana baby. :o

I had Bela' almost 2 years.

I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. :confused:

I still miss him. :(

Yesterday I reread this thread. And I started thinking about all the iguanas I've had and lost. Especially Bela and Skookie. He used to run up and down my leg while I was doing dishes. And when he died, in my arms, I cried so hard I hurt myself sobbing. He was such a joy to take care of.

Tonight I am crying for Bela, I can't stop so I figured I'd write it down in here. Maybe it's all the things that have happened to me since he died, that's why I'm crying. But he triggered this emotional breakdown. :(

I have a picture of Skookie here on my desk. I wish I had one of Bela.

May he rest in piece. My sweet little boys. :hug:

You have my sympathy.

Losing much-loved animals is never easy.

:hug:

I just ordered a stuffed iguana on EBay. Just a little something to sooth my broken heart.




Something to hold onto in the night.

Has it actually been that long. I miss reading your stories about little Bela as I miss my Sally still even after all these years. I'm sorry to hear that you are no longer able to have pets in your new home as they can bring such joy to a person's life. Hoping your new stuffed iguana will still bring some of that joy.

Me too PF :(

For a while now I've had a tiny, pink, teddy bear that I've been sleeping with. She comforts me in the night.

Got my stuffed iguana. It helps a little. :o

He's a little hard to get used to after my teddy. Scared me once, I thought he was real, in the dark with only the TV for light. I switched back and forth, which ever one fits the need that night. :wink:

It's just a reminder of what I used to have. My heart still aches. :(