Content
- green iguana diseases
- Metabolic bone disease in reptiles
- parasites on iguanas
- iguana abscesses
- Reproductive Problems in Iguanas
- Behavior problems in iguanas
- How to know if the iguana is sick?
The popularity of reptiles in Brazil has grown exponentially. One of these favorite "new pets" is the green iguana (iguana iguana). As a result of life in captivity, several problems arise, especially when the guardians of these animals do not have enough information about the basic care of this species.
To ensure that your iguana is well and does not suffer from any problems, in addition to all essential basic care, you should make regular visits to your veterinarian specializing in exotic animals! It is important that from a young age your iguana has proper veterinary supervision to ensure that it grows and develops without any problems.
In this PeritoAnimal article we summarize the most important information you should know about most common diseases in iguanas. Keep reading!
green iguana diseases
As in any animal species, including humans, a correct diet is the basis for preventing any disease. The iguana is no exception! This reptile, strict herbivore, must have a proper diet in captivity that allows it to grow without problems and that strengthens its immune system.
Iguanas can suffer from all kinds of diseases of different systems, respiratory, reproductive, gastrointestinal, etc. However, there are some issues that we see more regularly in clinical practice and these are the ones we're going to talk to you about!
Metabolic bone disease in reptiles
THE bone metabolic disease it is one of the most common problems in green iguanas kept in captivity.
The main causes of this problem are due to inadequate management of tutors. Read our complete iguana care guide to avoid making these kinds of mistakes. This disease is mainly due to:
- inadequate diet: Foods low in calcium and vitamin D3 and with an incorrect proportion of calcium and phosphorus.
- Inadequate exposure to ultraviolet B light: Absence of type B ultraviolet light, both natural and artificial.
You clinical signs most common of this disease are:
- Soft and deformed jaw
- spontaneous fractures
- Deformed bones and spine
To avoid this problem you should ensure that your iguana has a balanced green leafy diet. Regarding ultraviolet B light, whenever you have this possibility, you should provide direct sunlight to your iguana. If this is at all impossible, you should place an artificial B spectrum ultraviolet light in the terrarium, exposing the iguana to a period of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. You must ensure that both in the case of direct sunlight, as in the case of using a lamp for artificial light, there are no plastics or glass between the light and the animal, otherwise the ultraviolet B radiation will be absorbed by them and not by the iguana .
parasites on iguanas
The plants and trunks used in terrariums to enrich the iguana's environment and bring it closer to their natural habitat sometimes bring some parasites. The most common parasites are those of the genus hirstiella and can usually be seen with the naked eye on the animal's skin (red spots), as you can see in the picture.
If you have recently detected these red marks in your iguana, visit your exotic veterinarian so that he can diagnose the problem and start appropriate treatment. If it is confirmed that these are the mites we were talking about, a treatment based on ivermectin or another acaricide that your veterinarian considers most suitable may be used.
Other common parasites in iguanas are internal ones. If you make regular visits to your veterinarian, he will observe the iguana's feces under a microscope and rule out the presence of parasites or, if he detects some, do the appropriate deworming!
iguana abscesses
Abscesses are very common problems in iguanas, especially those that are housed in groups and if attack for territorial reasons.
To treat an abscess, an antibiotic prescription will be necessary and surgery may even be necessary! If you detect any swelling in your iguana, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible! Never try to drain your pet's abscess yourself! Contamination and opening a wound can be very dangerous for the animal.
Reproductive Problems in Iguanas
One of the most common reproductive problems in female iguanas kept in captivity is dystocia. Basically, what happens is that the eggs get stuck in the oviduct and the iguana is unable to expel them.
The main causes for this problem are:
- Absence of a suitable place to do the posture
- substrate too hard
- Lack of exposure to sunlight
- inadequate diet
- Stress
- Too young females (primiparous)
- too old females
- Egg problems: broken eggs, more than usual, too hard, etc.
Also this problem, like almost all others, has as its main origin an inadequate management by the tutors. If you have all the right conditions for your iguana and you make regular visits to your veterinarian, it is more difficult for any problem to arise. However, as you can see from the list of causes, there are some built-in ones you can't control.
For this reason, it is important to be aware of these clinical signs:
- swollen abdomen
- Anorexia
- Increased frequency of urine
- Behavioral changes: The iguana is constantly looking for places to spawn.
If you suspect your iguana has this problem, immediately visit a veterinarian. Treatment usually consists of administering calcium and oxytocin. More severe cases with obstruction may require surgical intervention.
Behavior problems in iguanas
Behavioral problems are one of the main reasons for abandoning these animals. Especially in the case of male iguanas, when they reach the puberty, may start to demonstrate more aggressive behavior for territorial reasons.
Some veterinarians may suggest the castration to reduce aggressive problems, however, it is important to accept that this is a natural behavior of this species and that in most cases it can be avoided if adequate space and environmental enrichment is provided.
You should always hold your iguana from below, as if your arm were the trunk of a tree and it could grab you. Never catch her from above, your iguana may feel threatened which will provoke aggressive behavior out of fear.
How to know if the iguana is sick?
The best way to know if the iguana is sick is to observe the her behavior, carefully. If for some reason her behavior has changed, she has stopped eating, drinking, urinating or defecating: these are the first signs that something is wrong with her!
Even when everything appears to be normal, this does not mean that your iguana is doing well inside. This is why regular visits to your veterinarian are so important. Small changes may not be visible to your eyes but will not go unnoticed by the clinical look of a professional who specializes in these animals. Reptiles are very resistant animals and sometimes it is difficult to notice that something is not right and when we do it is too late.
All care at home, correct nutrition and visits to the veterinarian doctor are the key to preventing any problem with your pet. Invest in prevention!
Have you recently adopted one of these animals? See our article with names for green iguana!
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Most common diseases in iguanas, we recommend that you enter our Other health problems section.