Fred was a female iguana that I had to have put down on Tuesday. She was the victim of poor care when I got her almost 8 years ago. Here was this small iguana with a factured arm and back due to poor diet and lack of UV. I took her and her sister Ed to the vet where it was confirmed that she had a factured spine that had caused her paralysis. Since paralysis in iguanas is not necessarily permenant I decided to give her a chance. The vet showed me how to give her enemas to get her to deficate. She ate like a pig and every day I worked with her back legs to keep them mobile and got her to deficate.

After a couple of years of working with her. Buying her grapes since these helped her poop easier. Rubbing her belly to get her to poop. She became gravid. I had to have her spayed.

This year she was very difficult to get to go to the bathroom by rubbing her belly. She started out 120 grams and grew to 2.2 kg. She continued to eat and do almost everything the other iguanas did. I worked with her back legs daily to keep them mobile. So was actually able to use one of her back legs some and had deep pain feeling in both back legs and her tail over the years.

Evey time I got her to go to the bathroom it hurt her, but she didn't hold it against me as though she understood it was necessary to keep her alive. She would chase the other iguanas running with her 2 front feet and would bask and thermoregulate just like a normal iguana.

She got so big it was difficult to get her to go to the bathroom. This year when I put her out in her cage she would eat a whole 9' plate of food. It would take me a few days to get her to where she would eat. This week she ate a plate of food Saturday, another on Sunday, and most of one on Monday. She was breathing very shallow and quick on Sunday and Monday. I knew she was stuffed with food. Even though I got her to go to the bathroom each day, I could tell she was very uncomfortable. Her stomach was swollen.

Monday I decided it was time to put her to sleep. Tuesday my vet put her down, Wednesday I buried her after shwoing her to the other iguanas that she died.

I miss her so much. I miss her resting her head on mine on the weekends in the morning while we'd watch a DVD. I miss her sleeping next to me at night like the last 6 months. My life seems to have lost its focus. I come home from work at night and bring in the other iguanas, but I can't eat. Find myself crying at times like now. She saw me through a career change, being unemployed, the new job, and drinking too much. I lost a gentle companion that was always there for me.

I know it was time to put her to sleep, but it has been very difficult get through these last few days. This is similar in pain to me as losing my mom in the late 80s to cancer.

While I have 12 other iguanas none of them is my special needs Fred.

Thank you for listening.

I'm so sorry for your heart-breaking loss! Fred's a special guy, it's obvious (and handsome too!). You have been a loving Dad to him for all these years. How very hard it is to lose a special friend---more than a friend, he was like a son. You gave him the care he needed each day, and now he doesn't "need" you anymore. But it was his time, and you did the right and loving thing to put him to sleep. He is in no pain anymore--physical or emotional.

You guys will be reunited. Until then, Fred wants you to be happy (remember, love is a 2-way street, and he loves you). He's experiencing only bliss now, and the ultimate in love. We whose souls are still living inside these bodies can't imagine how great it is.

Lavish all your love on your other iguanas---this won't take away from your love for sweet Fred. Hold each other close, keep coming to this group, and you'll get through this, one day at a time.

Hugs and comfort to you,
Little Girl's Mommy, Kathy

Sorry to hear about the death of Fred. She sounded very special. Keep loving your other iguanas and know that Fred will never really leave you.

I'm very sorry for your loss. My first iguana, Bart, was a very special iguana. He was very tame and loving. He was also litter trained and therefore had free run of my apartment. His freedom, however lead to his death. I live in Canada where winters are COLD. One day Bart was looking for sun (even though he had all his lights) and sat on my window ledge. At the time I was a student and lived in a rather run down apartment. The window seals here shot to hell and Bart froze to death. I was devestated. What was worse though is that everyone LAUGHED when I told them that Bart had died, he was only a lizard you know (note the sarcasim). People just did not understand that a repilte can be loving. Bart used to come running when he heard my voice and was so tame that we often took him out visiting with us.

It sounds as though you are a great iguana owner and that you gave Fred many years that she may not have had otherwise. Your dedication to her special needs is very remarkable. I hope you find comfort in your other green babies.

Keep posting here and let us know how you are doing.

Tracey

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved girl Fred....

I don't think Fred could've had a more wonderful dad; you took such wonderful care of her and I know she
thanks you sooo much for that...

Fred is over Rainbow's Bridge now, along with all of our furbabies (and, those without fur), who have gone on before her....

She is happy..... There is no pain or suffering over there....... Just beautiful peace!!!!

These wonderful little babies of ours......whether furry or not...... They always gave such unconditional love.
Never asking for much...... But, they always gave!!!!

I can only say that in time you will remember your beautiful girl with smiles ....... all the happiness that the
both of you shared. I know that right now it stinks, and you're hurting very, very much...

After our girl, Ernestine was put to sleep on 2/7/2004, the pain & agony -- I never thought I'd ever, ever feel better...
But, slowly and surely, with the love of EVERYONE at this wonderful site, and with the love of my boyfriend, I got better.
But it truly is a journey - that is for sure!!!!!

I like to say that, "MEMORIES ARE YOURS TO KEEP....NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE THEM AWAY"....

Fred will always be alive in your heart and in your head.... Please remember that!!!! She is a thought away.....

God Bless you,
Peace!!
Denise