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Mannie |
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In memory of Mannie:
Mannie came into our lives very un-expectantly. I had never really thought about Iguana's, definitely knew nothing about them; heck, I can honestly say I didn't care about them one way or the other... until Mannie...
We were answering an ad in the paper for a used hot tub. There was a divorced man who was selling off his household items - his wife and kids were no longer living there. My husband was the one to go out to see the tub. He called me at work, on his way home, and told me that the Man had a "white Iguana". Being totally ignorant, I asked what kind of Iguana that was? My husband then proceeded to tell me that it was in a back room that was dark with one small window. The Iguana had no UVB lighting and no heat source. The shallow bowl of water was thick with black sludge, which was old feces. The bottom of the wood substrate was covered in feces. He had a bowl of cat chow to eat.
I am a total animal lover and have a house full. My husband is a somewhat unwilling participant, in my over exuberance for the critters. That is why I was so surprised that he was asking *me* if we could take this Iguana. I hemmed and hawed, because at that time I had 2 Conure Parrots, 4 cats, a toad, two doves, two finches, 2 Canaries and two Japanese Quail. What the heck was I going to do with an Iguana? My husband is not one to really be persistent in the animal adoption arena; and I was sensing, with surprise, his urgency about taking this Iguana - so I consented. He called the guy back and said that we would take the hot tub and the Iguana. He was selling us the Iguana for $30.00.
The next day, my husband called me at work and told me that he was really concerned about the Iguana. He didn't think it was going to make it through the week, until that Saturday, when we were going to pick him up. We agreed we should get him now. My husband called and said he was coming to pick the Iguana up and I proceeded to call around to Vets that would be able to see him immediately. I was lucky enough to find a brand new vet who specialized in Reptile medicine. Being new, she wasn't overly busy and agreed to see him. My husband drove the 30 miles from the guy's house to our city and straight to the Vet.
Mannie had parasitical worms, mites, a fungus infection, severe MBD, a broken leg and two broken ribs, some sort of viral infection and mid-stage kidney failure. The vet estimated Mannie to be about two or three years old. I don't know his history prior; but at that point, Mannie had won my heart. There was something special about him. I could see that his will to live was no longer there. Even the Vet said she would be surprised if he lived four months.
I immediately got on line and found Melissa Kaplan's website.
http://www.anapsid.org/ I read that website front to back side ways and even upside down!! I was enthralled by the Green Iguana. A whole new world had opened up for me. I particularly studied Metabolic Bone Disease and kidney failure. About a year later, someone on line suggested I purchase "Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual", by James Hatfield. I read the 600 pages in four days! I was now living, breathing and thinking Iguanas. I had Mannie on a strict diet of Greens only. I had to watch his Phosphorus level. Kidney failure will elevate phosphorus. Even with a strict diet, it is very hard, if next to impossible, to keep it in check. It's just the chemistry of the disease. It broke my heart not to be able to give him fruit. I would give him an occasional fig, as we have a fig tree in our yard, and the joy that emanated from his eyes was so wonderful. The vet told me no veggies either. I had been giving him green beans and squash, but these vegetables are very high in sugar, which will also elevate phosphorus. My Vet was a wonderful teacher, and played a pivotal roll in helping Mannie live as long as he did.Mannie stabilized after a year of tender loving care and lots of vet visits. He was on Amphojel to help bind the phosphorus in his system. Four years after finding Mannie, his kidneys finally gave out. I had told the vet long ago, that I didn't want to prolong his misery. I knew that I would try anything to save him, because I didn't want to part with him. I asked her to promise me that she would not let me continue his life when the quality was no longer there. On July 20, 2002, she held me to that promise.
I truly believe that some higher force brought Mannie and me together. I am now a champion of Iguana's and go out of my way to educate those who will listen. The carnage of Iguana's is horrifying and sadly, ignored by society. If the same death tolls occurred in domestic Cats and Dogs, there would be public out cry and demand for action and new laws protecting the "innocent". So why are these intelligent, interesting, giant lizards, that Man is so intrigued with, ignored? I think human ignorance is the culprit. Thank you, Mannie, for giving your life so that so many other Iguanas can live. Your pain, sorrow and life, were not in vane. You will be remembered, always.