| Iguanas are not immune to falling ill. Just like humans, | | | | and therefore can cause burns through contact with |
| they can become sick at any time and when it | | | | them. Lights must be situated above the enclosures |
| happens they will need the necessary treatment and | | | | so that they cannot be reached by the iguana and |
| care to recover from their illnesses. Here are some | | | | hot rocks should be avoided altogether. |
| common iguana sicknesses that need veterinary | | | | 5) Bacterial infection: There are a couple of different |
| attention immediately as well as sufficient medication. | | | | types of bacterial infections that can harm your |
| Take note, otherwise you could end up losing your | | | | iguana. If your pet is continuously exposed to a damp |
| favorite pet. | | | | and filthy environment, it may become infected with |
| 1) Fibrous Osteodystrophy or Metabolic Bone Disease: | | | | the blister disease. Lack of proper hygiene and |
| This results from extreme malnutrition and bad | | | | adequate sanitation can lead to dry gangrene of the |
| feeding. When you purchase your pet, you should | | | | toes and nails. These areas then become dark gray |
| take advice on nutrition from the pet shop. A | | | | or black and begin to break off. If your iguana has |
| common issue with iguana owners is that they often | | | | swelling, inflammation or pus in its mouth, then it has |
| like to feed their pets lettuce and squash. However, | | | | got the Mouth Rot infection. The pus will cause |
| lettuce contains no nutrient value and is therefore | | | | abscesses in the mouth as well. |
| referred to as a water sponge. What happens here is | | | | 6) Parasites: Parasites are a common cause of death |
| that the situation will become worse because there is | | | | in iguanas that are held in captivity. They will settle |
| a lack of vitamin D3 and therefore insufficient calcium | | | | inside the blood contained in the gastrointestinal tract |
| intake by your iguana. This can be dangerous and can | | | | which is very dangerous. Parasites, like other |
| even lead to death. Symptoms of this disease include | | | | diseases, should be treated immediately. |
| a soft, rubbery face and lower jaw, a swollen lower | | | | 7) Viral Infection: There is still ongoing research with |
| jaw, listlessness, swollen limbs and difficulty in eating. | | | | regard to the causes and cures of these infections in |
| The limbs and spine can be easily fractured as well. | | | | iguanas but regardless there are known to be very |
| 2) Paralysis of the back legs: This is caused by a | | | | harmful to iguanas. |
| deficiency of vitamin B1 and often the iguana's tail will | | | | 8) Organ failure: This usually occurs due to old age or |
| also become badly affected. In order to cure this | | | | as a result of an existing bacterial infection. Your pet |
| condition, your vet will inject the essential required | | | | will show signs of loss of appetite, bloating, weight |
| vitamins and minerals into your pet and will also | | | | loss, listlessness and it might even cause death. |
| recommend an immediate change in diet. | | | | 9) Bladder stones: This can cause the abdomen to |
| 3) Nose abrasions: When an iguana is unhappy or | | | | become enlarged and can cause a lot of discomfort |
| insecure in its new environment it will try to escape | | | | and pain to your iguana. |
| several times and this can cause scratches and | | | | 10) Egg-binding: This occurs in females when they |
| abrasions on the nose and face. While they look for | | | | cannot pass their egg through their reproductive |
| an escape route they usually scratch and rub their | | | | tract. A little assistance from you in this case can |
| noses on the wire, glass or plastic tank enclosures. If | | | | help. |
| the abrasions remain untreated by you, bacterial | | | | These are some of the more common illnesses that |
| infection, ulceration of the rostrum and various other | | | | can affect your iguana's health. Should you notice any |
| deformities are likely to occur. | | | | symptoms of these conditions be sure to take |
| 4) Thermal injuries or burns: If you are not careful | | | | immediate action and if required take your pet to the |
| when installing the light bulbs or hot rocks in your | | | | vet. |
| pet's cage, then these areas can be easily exposed | | | | |