I wonder if anyone can advise me with this problem. I have a 4yr old Ig in excellent health who I obtained as a rescue case very underweight, deg=hydrated and very shy. A year on and he was wonderful...He was really good natured with everyone, particularly me, climbing up me to sit on my shoulder every chance he got. I recently took him to the vets as he somehow managed to cut his foot (he has a 2m x 1.5m x 1.5m tank with no doors so he sleeps in that and free roams the kithcen/diner) and since that time if I go near him he goes ballistic, running away and being generally thrashy, even if I pick him up at any time he thrashes like mad, to a worrying degree, if anyone else goes near him he is fine... HELP!!! I MISS MY FRIEND!!! He just appears to hate me now! But just me!! as I said... I miss my friend!!

he isnt going through a breeding stage? not got bright orange body parts and legs?? males will get boisterous during this time.

nope no orangeness to him, first thing I thought of!
It coincided EXACTLY with me taking him to the vet to have stitches so I dont know if its association as I held him while he had them!

He may be untrustign of you for a while if you held him while he got the stitches..he now associates you with pain

After we amputated the new iggy's tail he hated everyone, refused to eat, would hiss etc. It has been 3 weeks now and he is back to eating and has become more happy with life again. Just give him time and gentle words.

You said that the vet trip was recently. How recently? Its possible that he still is in a bit of discomfort and he associated it with you.
Give him a bit of time and it should settle back down.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Mine right after getting a lot better about beinmg touched went for his firt vet exam because of a coloration concern, and reverted right back to beig troublesome, after about a week of re-training, it all went back to normal.

Good Luck

If he is still stressed from the vet visit, try befriending him with his favorite treat....hand feed and start over from the beginning...in time he will come around....some iguanas cannot take change and stress....good luck...

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

thanks for the advice, its been about 6 weeks but I have been away for 2 of them. I thought that may be the case so tried blackmail with his fave food, rocket and strawberries... he wont let me get inside 4 ft of him, so hand feeding is out of the question. Is it a good idea to get hold of him and just hold him until he quietens down? And keep doing that?

Well if he's freaking out now that might freak him out a bit more? Just my opinion I never have an igwana so what do I know:P Maybe if you just sat near him with favorite foods every day he'd eventually be fine? Don't worry I'm sure he'll come around eventually as long as you keep being gentle and full of taisty strawberries...I wouldn't be able to resist it anyway lol