Moon's Graden

    I've had my green iguana for approximately 6 years: she's about 42
inches STL, haven't got a a SVL yet-she's irritable about the tailors
measuring tape being near her.  She very recently was moved to a 5' x 4'
x 3' wire cage ( a ferret model to be exact) with appropriate climbing
ramps and shelves from a 29 gal long aquarium.  We have a new ZooMed UVB
full spectrum light, as well as a basking light and a "hot rock"
equipped with a thermostat.  We are using alfalfa pellets as substrate
for the time being.  The basking spot is about 92 degrees F and the hot
rock, if the reptile thermometer we purchased is accurate, doesn't reach
temps above 85 degrees.  The coolest temp in the cage has yet to be
measured.  Currently, we are feeding an *** iguana food manufactured
by Pretty Pets, as well as fresh veggies - Cilantro, parsley, green
beans to name a few.  However, she does not seem appreciative of many
fruits.  I have several questions that I hope someone can help with.
    A) Does anyone know of a reputable herp vet in driving distance of
central West ***ia, say in the vicinity of Morgantown, WV?  We've
taken her to a female vet who comes to Bridgeport, WV once a week, but
were not happy with her care.  The only good advice we got from this vet
was that the UVB lights are only good for 6 months to a year depending
on brand.
    B) Are there any herp societies in West ***ia?
    C) I have seen on at least one web site that watermelon is toxic to
green iguanas, but yet another that it is okay (however has a poor Ca:P
ratio).  Is it toxic to anyone's knowledge here?
    D) Can an iguana recover from MBD if proper Ca:P ratio is achieved?
Since not having access to a decent herp vet, we are trying to combat
the poor info we received six years ago when we purchased her (we were
to to feed romaine lettuce and spinach, which we've discovered in recent
weeks are not adequate, as well as potentially harmful, to her diet.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!  Kaija will greatly
appreciate the advice!

That 29 gallon tank is WAY to small for a 8 mo old, let alone a 6 year old!  

Hot rocks are terrible, take it out ASAP!

And... fresh foods are the best, forget that commercial crud, use it ONLY as a
treat.

-Josh, Booger, and Muloch

 I have owned green iguanas in the past. Out of all the information out there,
I found the video put out by T-Rex called
"Captive Care of the Green Iguana" to have the best information.
It includes a salad recipe that I found to be very nutritious. It is easy to
copy down from the TV if you put it on freeze-frame.  
  I also completely agree with the others that said the cage you are using is
WAY TOO SMALL  .You must buy or build a huge new cage right away! Your iguana
is suffering. But first, take out the hot rock. Hopefully, your iguana hasn't
been burned by it yet.

Thanks for the idea.  Hope she'll feed her that way.  I want to thank
everyone for the help.  Gotta question for you Gatorfan, is the 5' X 4'
x 3' enclosure adequate for the time being?  She's 42" stl.  I know its
an improvement over the 29 gal she was in.  I know Kaija's a lot happier
in this bigger cage.

i.e., the fresh (and appropriate) veggies should be fed by Mom in Law!