HI ALL, please bear with me as i've never asked anything before. i am worried about my little iguana DUDE, he is about 4 to 5 months old. My worry is how long should I let DUDE go without a bm before really worrying? He usually goes everyday, but its been 2 days. He is eating ok and everything is the same no new stressers.... please any advise?

thanks in advance, lisa (dudesmom)

hey.
an ig that eats everyday should poop everyday. provided he is getting enough heat/warmth/unfiltered sunshine (depending on the ig set-up).

female igs are known to develop routines of where they poop twice a day routinely. my IggySingh does this in her morning and evening baths.

try getting Dude to sit in a small tub/baisin/your bathroon sink filled with very warm water. i am guessing 4-5 months, the bathroon sink should do do it.
if it's your 1st time putting him in water, keep 1 hand under him and the other 1 stroking his back gently until he gets used to the water (read: till he stops freaking out).
then gently sroke his stomach ribs to vent (do not prod, poke or squeeze).. just gentle strokes/long rubs. a couple of times of this warm water sessions will get him to poop. usually it works 1st time if all things equal.

I start to worry after one but my iguana has held it for 5 days before. He was just being stubborn because my mother bought a no-slip thing for the bottom of the tub and he didn't like how it felt so he wouldnt go, when I removed it he really let loose. The smallest stressor can change everything for a stubborm iguana.
I would double check your temps because with the changing seasons sometimes they dip a little bit and we don't even notice.

What are your cage stats and your diet like?

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Hi there...

The first thing is not to panic. Please let us know how you keep Dude : cage , temps, substrate, etc....so we can find out if there are any factors to him not pooping. Best wishes...and let us know how things are going...

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Hi Again... Sry To Be A Worrier...dude Is Ok, Just Going To Watch The Next Couple Of Days. Thinking Of Still Getting Him A Vet Check Up, Just To Be Sure. Thank You For All The Advise. He Is In A 20 Gallon Tank For Now. In The Process Of Building Bigger.his Temp Stays Between 85 And 90 In The Day And 60 To65 At Night, Thats Ok Right? Thanks Again

Lisa(dudesmom)

I would up the night time temps if I were you....no less than mid 70s for the babies....my house stays at 70 so I dont supplement night heat, but babies need it a bit warmer....good luck....

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

A vet check is advised at least annually. If you can, take a fecal sample so the vet can check for parasites.

As for not pooping, Gil will sometimes go two or three days stubbornly holding it. However, I notice that when he's regularly supplemented with SOAKED Rep-Cal pellets, he goes much easier... the soaked pellets help keep him hydrated and lubricate his digestive tract.

If you can find Rep-Cal pellets locally, try soaking and feeding some. Here are a few things to note, though: (last I knew) Rep-Cal is the only brand with no added animal protien. I.e. use ONLY Rep-Cal brand.

Soak the pellets until they're completely moistened... if they're hard in the center, they're too dry.


Best of luck!

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