• Metabolic Bone Disease (Fibrous Osteodystrophy)


• Paralysis of the Rear Legs


• Nose Abrasions


• Thermal Injuries


• Bacterial Infections


• Regarding Sharp Claws


• Veterinary Examination

Signs of fibrous osteodystrophy include general listlessness, an enlarged, swollen lower jaw, difficulty in eating and markedly firm, swollen limbs and tail. Unfortunately, these desperately ill iguanas appear well-fed and chubby, and veterinary care is not often sought until it is too late. Sometimes the back, tail or legs are fractured or deformed. These problems usually receive more immediate veterinary attention.

Iguanas with metabolic bone disease should be treated by a competent reptile veterinarian. If the patient refuses all food offered except lettuce, the lettuce must be top dressed with a suitable vitamin-mineral powder. Iguanas of sufficient size may be given the supplement directly in filled gelatin capsules, as described above.

Iguanas that have become "lettuce junkies" (consume lettuce to the exclusion of other foods) must be encouraged to accept and feed on more nutritionally complete food items. Some iguanas accept items that resemble lettuce, such as spinach and beet greens, and then may be more accepting of other foods offered. Another way to wean an iguana from lettuce involves sprinkling the more nutritious items (cut up in small pieces) over the preferred lettuce leaves. Usually the iguana will feed on both simultaneously. With each feeding, the proportion of nutritionally superior food items should be increased and the amount of lettuce decreased until the iguana has fully accepted a more nutritious variety of food. After 1-2 weeks, a vitamin-mineral powder can be sprinkled over the food to ensure nutritional adequacy. If such a product is used during the transition period, it may cause the iguana to refuse all food, including the lettuce. This would be undesirable.
[Top of Page]

Preventing this problem is difficult, but providing adequate visual security (hiding places) and other additions to the enclosure (artificial plants, branches, rocks) helps to minimize it. A visual barrier of dark paint or plastic film placed on or along the lower 4 inches of the enclosure's walls often inhibits pacing and rubbing.
[Top of Page]

Dry Gangrene of the tail or toes: Another sign of serious, body-wide bacterial infection is dry gangrene of the tail and often the toes. The dry gangrene usually slowly moves up the tail from its tip. One or more toes may have the same type of progressive problem simultaneously. The disease can be controlled with aggressive antibiotic therapy, strict hygiene and good husbandry.

A suddenly frightened iguana may whip its tail back and forth, injuring the tip against the walls of the enclosure. Such an injury may lead to dry gangrene of the tail.

Mouth Rot: Bacterial infection of the mouth is often the result of malnutrition and a debilitated, weakened condition. Signs of mouth rot include swelling, inflammation and accumulations of pus within the mouth, increased salivation, and difficulties in eating. Treatment involves identifying the offending bacteria and giving appropriate antibiotic therapy. Providing vitamins, fluids and forced feeding are also essential.

Abscesses: Bacterial infections may settle in 1 or more areas and result in abscess formation. Reptile pus is not liquid, but is of a cheesy, sometimes rubber-like consistency. Consequently, treatment of abscesses by a veterinarian involves opening up the pus-filled abscess and manually cleaning it out. Antibiotics are then infused directly into the cavity and also given by injection.

Bacterial infections of reptiles require injectable antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria from the body as rapidly as possible. When therapy is delayed or insufficient, bacteria multiply and spread throughout the body, usually resulting in internal abscesses. Antibiotic therapy then is much less successful. Initial and periodic white blood cell counts are necessary to properly monitor the progress of the patient and to detect any relapse.

Parasite Problems: Parasites may be found externally (mites), within the gastrointestinal tract (worms, protozoa), and within the blood (malaria-type parasites) of captive iguanas. Parasites represent a significant burden in addition to the inevitable stresses of captivity endured by all pet iguanas, and should be treated by a veterinarian specializing in reptiles. Iguanas weakened by malnutrition and chronic bacterial infections are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of parasites.

Viral Infections: Though viruses probably cause disease in iguanas, only a few have been specifically identified in this capacity. With continued interest and research in iguanas, our understanding of viral infections will be enhanced. Organ Failure: Failure of vital organs often accompanies advancing age, and may also be a consequence of gout and severe bacterial infections. If possible, blood samples should be collected to allow evaluation of vital organ function. Treatment by a veterinarian is usually dictated by the results of diagnostic testing.

Bladder Stones: Minerals in the urine may precipitate and form stones within the urinary bladder of iguanas. The iguana may exhibit no signs of illness or may strain during urination and act listless. If the stone becomes very large, the abdomen may become enlarged. Droppings may contain blood. A radiograph (x-ray) is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Abdominal surgery is necessary to remove the stone.

Egg-Binding: Egg-binding can be a life-threatening condition. It results when a pregnant female cannot expel 1 or more eggs from the reproductive tract. Causes of egg-binding include malnutrition (especially mineral imbalances), various diseases, mummification of eggs, and large or malformed eggs. Physical examination and radiographs (x-rays) are necessary to diagnoses this problem. The veterinarian may select a medical and/or surgical approach to relieve this serious condition, depending upon circumstances.

Swollen Jaw: See Fibrous Osteodystrophy.

Broken Tail: Though iguanas do not easily shed their tails like some other lizard species, tail fractures, dislocations and other serious injuries may occur. Care must be taken to firmly restrain the tall when an iguana is picked up and held. A veterinarian can treat soft tissue injuries according to their severity, and can "set" and splint the fractured tail if necessary.

Broken Toes: An iguana's toes are very vulnerable to injury, especially when iguanas are housed in screened or wire enclosures. It is very easy for toes and/or claws to become entrapped within the wire mesh, resulting in fractures, dislocations, torn claws (with subsequent bleeding), and injuries to the skin and scales of the toes. These injuries often occur during attempts to remove a panicked iguana from its enclosure. Great care should be taken when overcoming the animal's grip on the wire mesh. Twisting of the iguana's body against this steadfast grip often causes serious injuries to the feet and toes. A veterinarian should be consulted at once if such injuries occur.
[Top of Page]