No proper vet in my city!?:(?

Question

Ive posted a few other questions, and it sounds like the reptile vet i have been depending on really doesnt know what he is talking about.
Apparently iguanas shouldnt eat crickets, or cat food, or spinach like he advised me. So what should i do. He is the only veterinarian in my entire city that deals with reptiles (i have searched around) so i dont know what i should do. Should i just forget the vets all together and take his health into my own hands?
My iguana is definatley not on his death bed or anything, its just im trying to to my very best to take care of him.
Hes perfectly green, and i feed him what i think im supposed to be feeding now, (thanks to yahoo answers and NOT my vet)
So veterinarian care is not an emergency. it's just i wish i could have someone to trust and fall back on if i cant help my little one.
I also went out and bought him a proper heat lamp, so im hoping his little bump thing will go away.with proper food.

Answer 1

I had an Iguana and I fed him kale and collard greens (found in the freezer section of the supermarket). I let it defrost and he loved it. When I bought him he was only about 6 inches long and wouldn't eat. I didn't have a vet that took care of reptiles either so I took it upon myself to take care of him. I bought an eye dropper and strained green bean baby food and fed him that way everyday. At first he fought me but he gradually ate. He grew up to be 4 feet long. So you can care for them yourself I have for 3 years,but if you find that you have a problem that you think you can't handle call a petshop in your area that sells reptiles they can help. They helped me a few times with my ball python when I had problems. Just be careful with the Iguana, because he can be very aggressive especially during mating season.

Answer 2

A vet's job is a lot harder than a physicians. Physicians only treat one species, a good vet may treat dozens of species.

As long as the vet knows the medical care, you can get good diet and other care advice elsewhere.

Your iguana's health is already in your hands- we use vets to deal with emergencies and things like parasites, etc.

Answer 3

Your vet is giving you poor advice regarding Iguana care. Here is a good website for finding a vet in your area:

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

Also, check out Melissa Kaplans website--it is usually recommended by vets around the country for Iguana/reptile care and info:

http://anapsid.org/

Also good:

http://www.greenigsociety.org/credits.htm

http://www.todaysplanet.com/pg/beta/lizardlover/page3.htm

Answer 4

Do you have a vet in your area that treats exotic birds? Reptiles and birds are very close on the evolutionary scale and their anatomy and physiology is much closer than in mammals. We have an exotic bird vet who keeps emergency hours, which our reptile vet does not. She is extremely devoted, I have seen her give mouth to mouth to a juevenile Iguana that was one of our Reptile Rescues.Unfortunately it was too late to save him, but I have never witnessed a vet fight so hard to save a life. We have seen her on several occasions and I have always been impressed with her.