In Memory

Lizzie, December 2003

Lizzie is a handful! She isn't quite used to having other iguanas around, and severely injured one of the other iguanas when we stepped out of the room for a few moments. She is a very large female that is not entirely tame. She was abandoned by her previous owner, which brought her to the Iguana Relocation Network.

February 2004 Update

Lizzie is settling in, and has tamed quite a bit. We feel that she is ready for a loving home.

April, 2004 Update

Lizzie appeared to be straining one morning, and was taken into the vet by one of our dedicated foster homes. The emergency veterinarian believed that she was trying to lay her eggs. She was given 2 oxytocin injections, which did not help her. She recovered back home that evening and was taken in to an exotics vet for a spay the next morning. Her pre-surgical blood work revealed severe imbalances, and the veterinarian took x-rays, which confirmed his suspicion of renal disease. He recommended that Lizzie be euthanized. She was laid to rest shortly afterward. She was a great friend and ambassador for iguanas everywhere.

She will be missed.

Sampson, R.I.P. January 2nd, 2006

Sampson, our little fighter, sadly passed away this afternoon.

He had been very backed up and had several urate stones present, and GI problems- he
first came to us with severe MBD- it was a miracle that he pulled through that.

He spent the last year at Heather's, eating like a pig, basking and watching his
cats. He had a truly wonderful time while at his foster mom's.

He was the sweetest, most gentle lizard that I have ever met- and expect to meet.
He was one of my first lizards- and has been with IRN since 11/03.

I am sad, but at the same time, very relieved for my little friend. It was his
time. I am not sure what his problem was, exactly, so we will be sending out
samples for histopathology.

May he rest in peace- and I hope that he is basking in the sun among the flowers...

His story:

Sampson, October 2003

Sampson came to IRN with severe facial trauma (likely secondary to rostral abrasion) and MBD. In the above picture, he is too week from the hypocalcaemia to even lift himself up.

He has finally began eating on his own, 2 months later, and is able to move a little and hold himself up. He even gives me a "Hello!" head bob every time I check on him.

Now, he looks a lot better!

Sampson December, 2003

Here he is after a nice soak in the tub. Sampson will be available for adoption after he has fully recoved from his MBD

Sampson February 2004 Update

Sampson is continuing to recover from his bout with MBD, but still cannot defecate on his own. We are going to try giving him some g.i. motility drugs next, which will hopefully help him fully recover and allow him to be adopted!

October, 2004 update:

Sampson is doing much better, defecating on his own and eating well. However, we are still looking for a very special home for this little guy.

December, 2004 UPDATE:

Sampson had a gastrointestinal infection that was treated last month and is doing very well in his foster home. He's ready to be adopted!

April, 2005 UPDATE:

Sampson has been in a foster home since January, 2005 and has been doing extremely well. He is still waiting for a permanent home.