The popularity of reptiles as pets has grown exponentially around the world. Among all of them, the green iguana stands out as one of the favorites due to its extraordinary beauty and elegant appearance. However, life and breeding in captivity has led this beautiful animal to develop a whole series of he alth problems, which can be exacerbated if human companions do not have enough information to offer the basic care that this species needs.
To guarantee that your iguana is in perfect condition and does not suffer from any problem, in addition to all the care it needs in terms of hygiene and feeding, you must carry out the periodic visits stipulated by the veterinarian of exotic. To help you expand your information, on our site we show you what are the most common diseases of iguanas, keep reading!
Common green iguana diseases
As in any other animal species, including humans, proper nutrition is the basis for the prevention of any disease. And the iguana is no exception! This reptile must enjoy an adequate diet in captivity that allows it to grow without problems and strengthen its immune system.
Iguanas can suffer from all kinds of diseases and affect the various systems of the body: respiratory, reproductive, gastrointestinal, etc. However, there are some problems that occur more frequently in veterinary clinics, and they are the ones we are going to see next.
Metabolic bone disease in reptiles
Metabolic bone disease is one of the most common he alth problems in captive green iguanas. The main causes of this pathology are a consequence of improper handling by human companions. Consult our complete guide on iguana care to avoid making this type of mistake and thus prevent the development of this disease.
This common disease in iguanas is mainly caused by:
- An inadequate diet. Diets poor in calcium and vitamin D3 result in an incorrect ratio of calcium and phosphorus.
- Inadequate exposure to ultraviolet light B. The absence of type B ultraviolet light, both natural and artificial, favors the development of this pathology.
The most common clinical signs of this condition are:
- Soft and deformed jaw.
- Spontaneous fractures.
- Deformed bones and spine.
To avoid this problem, you must ensure that your iguana has a balanced diet based on green leaves. Regarding ultraviolet B light, whenever you have that possibility, you should provide the animal with direct sunlight. If this is impossible, you should place the terrarium in an artificial ultraviolet B light spectrum, and offer the iguana a period of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. During exposure to light, regardless of its origin, you must confirm that there are no plastics or glass between the beam and the animal, since, otherwise, the ultraviolet radiation will be absorbed by them and not by the animal.
Common parasites in iguanas
The plants and trunks used in the terrariums to enrich the environment of the iguana and simulate its natural habitat sometimes bring some parasites. The most common are the parasites of the Hirstiella genus and, generally, they can be seen with the naked eye on the animal's skin as red dots, as can be seen in the image.
If you recently notice these red marks on your iguana, visit your vet so they can diagnose the problem and start proper treatment. If it is confirmed that they are the mites mentioned, a treatment based on ivermectin or another acaricide that your veterinarian considers more appropriate can be used.
Other common parasites in iguanas are internal onesIf you make regular visits to your veterinarian, he will observe your iguana's feces under a microscope and rule out the presence of parasites or, if he detects any, he will carry out the appropriate deworming.
Abscesses in iguanas
Abscesses are another of the most common he alth problems in iguanas, mainly in those that live in groups and attack each other for territorial reasons.
To treat an abscess it will be necessary to prescribe an antibiotic by the veterinarian. In the most severe cases, surgical intervention may even be necessary. Thus, if you detect any swelling in your iguana, visit the vet as soon as possible! Never try to drain an abscess yourself, as the wound could become contaminated, infected, or not heal properly. For these cases, we can assure you that the remedies can be worse than the disease if you do not have adequate knowledge.
Reproductive problems in iguanas
One of the most common reproductive problems in captive female iguanas is dystocia. Basically, what happens is that the eggs are trapped in the oviduct and the iguana can't expel them.
The main causes of this common disease in iguanas are:
- Absence of a suitable place for spawning.
- Substrate too hard.
- Lack of exposure to sunlight.
- Inadequate diet.
- Stress.
- Females too young.
- Females too old.
- Egg problems: broken eggs, higher number than usual, too hard, etc.
Also this problem, like almost all the others, has as its main origin an inadequate handling by the tutors. If you offer all the right conditions to your iguana and make regular visits to the vet, it will be more difficult for any type of problem to arise. However, as you can see in the list of causes, there are some internal reasons that cannot be controlled. For this reason, it is important to watch out for these clinicalsigns:
- Swollen abdomen.
- Anorexy.
- Urinating more often.
- Behavior changes: the iguana constantly demands places to lay eggs.
If you suspect your iguana has this problem, Visit a veterinarian immediately. Treatment is usually the administration of calcium and oxytocin. In more severe cases with obstruction, surgical intervention may be required.
Behavior problems in iguanas
Behavior problems are one of the main reasons for abandonment of these animals. Especially in the case of male iguanas when they reach puberty, they can begin to show more aggressive behavior for territorial reasons.
Some vets suggest neutering to reduce aggressive problems s, however it is important to accept that this is anatural behavior of this species and that in most cases can be avoided if adequate space and environmental enrichment are provided.
When picking up your iguana to hold it in your arms, you should always pick it up from below, as if your arm were the trunk of a tree, so that it can cling to you. Never pick it up, since the iguana could feel threatened and, as a consequence, show an aggressive attitude out of fear.
How do I know if my iguana is sick?
Now that you know what the most common diseases in iguanas are, it is obvious to consider how to recognize these pathologies. Well, the best way to find out if the iguana is sick is to observe it carefully every day, pay attention to its behavior and physical condition If for some reason its behavior change, stop eating, drinking, urinating or defecating, you should know that these are the first symptoms that indicate that something bad is happening.
Even when all of the above is apparently normal, the iguana may suffer some internal problem. This is why regular visits to the vet are so important. Small changes may not be visible to our eyes, but they will not go unnoticed by a professional expert in these animals. Reptiles are very resilient animals and sometimes it's hard to tell when something isn't right, and by the time we find out it's too late.
All home care, proper nutrition and visits to the veterinarian are the key to preventing any of the diseases most common in green iguanas explained in the previous sections. So don't hesitate to invest in prevention.
