Creechee iguana prolapsing a lot

Question
Hi. My iguana Creechee has had a lot of prolapsing problems since 2005. The vets would suture it back in and it would last for 9 months or longer. As time went on the prolapse would happen more regularly, and the las time only a month. The vet spent 25 minutes trying to put it back in. I made the decision with the vet to put her down on Dec. 27, 2010 because of this prolonged ordeal with prolapsing. At leat 18-20 times. She ate good, good diet, no MBD, no mites, good skin, got good heat and light. What could have caused this and why. She was 12 years old. In 2002 she had a tack and her eggs removed, could there have been a problem here with her prolapsing. I need to know. also she strained a lot when pooping. Thank you. RIP Creechee

Answer
Hi John,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
The only true way of knowing what may have caused it is if the Vet did a necropsy afterward. That would have shown if there was some type of genetic deformity in the bowel, intestines, etc..it would also show if there was something blocking the bowel.  If the Vet did xrays prior to your decision, some of what I mentioned above may have shown on an xray.
If she didn't prolapse prior to the egging, its possible that an egg injured an area.
Some causes of straining can be..blockage/partial blockage.. dehydration or lack of enough water or greens/veggies  intake to help soften the stools, malformation in the bowel from injury or birth.
As I said, the only real way to know would have been to have a necropsy done.
I feel you did make the right decision in giving her peace.  Its no life for an iguana to have to be having a constant health problem that requires a pretty rough "fix".
Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
If the prolapses were not of a genetic nature, or injury of some type, hydration is vital to their "pooping".  Long soaks in a tub, misting their greens,feeding fruit such as watermelon, offering foods such as baby food prunes if they seem to be a bit constipated, and if offering any dry iguana foods such as pellets, soaking the pellets in warm water so they are soft at least 1/2 way through can help prevent straining to go to the bathroom.