Iguanas are very difficult pets to properly maintain.

Please be respectful of these considerations when acquiring these as pets.

A thorough initial examination is the cornerstone of a health care program for the pet iguana. All newly acquired iguanas, regardless of age, should be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Besides a complete physical examination, a blood work-up and stool examination should be included. Also, a stool culture for Salmonella should be performed. This is communicable disease possibly affecting people. The advantage of this thorough initial work-up is that current and potential medical problems can be identified and treated before they become serious.

DISEASES REQUIRING VETERINARY ATTENTION:

Metabolic Bone Disease (Fibrous Osteodystrophy): The most common disease of captive iguanas results from gross malnutrition. Most new iguana owners are not given proper dietary information when they buy their iguana. In fact, many are given incorrect information. The most common mistake is feeding lettuce (usually iceberg lettuce) to the exclusion of other important dietary items (see the section on Diet). Lettuce provides adequate amounts of moisture but is a nutritionally barren food otherwise. The problem is often aggravated by vitamin D 3 and calcium deficiencies, which result from inadequate exposure to direct sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light and lack of vitamin-mineral supplementation. 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. (See section in Care OF) 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 2-3 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.

Paralysis of the Rear Legs:

A disease resulting from vitamin B 1 deficiency causes paralysis of the rear legs and tail. This problem is treated with injectable B vitamins and dietary improvement, including vitamin-mineral supplementation. Rear limb paralysis may also result from mineral (especially calcium) deficiencies that cause fibrous osteodystrophy of the spinal column. Injectable calcium is also necessary in the therapy of this problem.

Nose Abrasions :

One of the unfortunate consequences of captivity is injury resulting from repeated attempts to escape. Iguanas tend to push and rub their noses against the walls of their enclosures as they repeatedly pace back and forth. This constant trauma results in chronic ulceration of the nose (rostrum), whether the walls of the enclosure are made of glass or wire mesh. Nose injuries may result in serious and often permanent deformities that may cause long-term problems.

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.

Thermal Injuries:

Serious burns often result when iguanas contact unprotected heat sources within their enclosures. Exposed light bulbs and heat lamps are most often responsible for these accidents. Neither of these appliances is actually necessary. If they are installed in an iguana’s enclosure, they must be outfitted with a protective device to prevent burns.

Bacterial Infections :

Blister Disease:

Chronic exposure to bacterial contamination from poor sanitation and hygiene is the most common cause of bacterial infections in captive iguanas. Blister disease results when an iguana is confined to a moist, filthy enclosure. The disease is characterized by blisters, especially on the underside aspects of the body, that develop into seriously infected wounds. Aggressive antibiotic therapy is necessary to successfully treat affected iguanas.

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.

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 guided by the results of diagnostic testing.

Bladder Stones:

Minerals in the urine may precipitate and form stones within the urinary bladder of iguanas. The iguanas 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. The droppings may also contain blood. A radiograph (x-ray) is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Abdominal surgery is usually 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 diagnose 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 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 tail 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, dislocation, 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.

A COMMENT REGARDING SHARP CLAWS:

Iguanas are usually quite docile and enjoy handling. You, however, may not always enjoy the activity because of the scratches inflicted by sharp claws, powered by very strong limbs. An iguana’s claws should be periodically dulled by an experienced veterinarian or veterinary technician. A cautery instrument or high-speed grinding tool is usually employed for this task.

FOR MORE INFORMATION :

Names and addresses may not be current.

A wealth of additional useful information may be obtained by joining the herpetological organizations listed below. All of these groups publish newsletters or bulletins on matters relating to reptiles and amphibians.

American Federation of Herpetoculturists

P.O. Box 1131

Lakeside, CA 92040

A.F.H. publication: The Vivarium Arizona Herpetological Association

1433 W. Huntington Dr.

Tempe, AZ 85282

Chicago Herpetological Society

2001 North Clark St.

Chicago, IL 60614

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

(SSAR)

Douglas H. Taylor, Publications Secretary

Dept. of Zoology

Miami University

Oxford, OH

Southern California Snake Association

P.O. Box 2932

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Southwestern Herpetologists Society

Inland Empire Branch

San Bernardino County Museum

2024 Orange Tree Lane

Redlands, CA 92373