Iguana Health

Iguana health can be a major issue if you don't follow general advice about iguana care.

However, so long as you buy a few iguana books and read the content of this site you shouldn't go far wrong.

After all, I've been reptiles for over a decade, so I've got a lot of experience to go on here.

But just so you know about a few common iguana health problems, here we'll discuss iguana diseases.

The two most common iguana diseases you need to keep an eye out for are internal parasites and metabolic bone disease.

Internal Parasites can be hard to diagnose without the help of your vet, but then again, you're going to take your new iguana along for a checkup as soon as you get him home anyway aren't you?! This is unlikely to be a problem therefore.

However, let's say worst case scenario you havn't managed to get to a vet the most likely side effects are going to be loss of weight in your iguana even when eating properly or an unset stomach seen in runny stools. Either should suggest to you that you need to take Iggy to the vets sooner rather than later.

Whilst we probably shouldn't describe it as an iguana disease, Metabolic Bone Disease is far more worrying. Essentially, when lizards such as iguanas are not given the correct regime of calcium, phosphorus and UV light, they become unable to support bone growth and development properly.

Calcium and phosphorus should be fed ideally in a ratio of 1:1.

As the iguana is such a large, bulky animal, which likes to climb regularly, the problem is often seen in it's most extreme and unfortunate forms in iguanas.

Common signs are apparent weakness or staggering when moving around. Fits may occur, and bone abnormalities may be seen as they are unable to grow correctly. Finally breakages of bones are highly likely due to their thinning structure and frequently swollen joints particularly in the rear legs may be observed.

Not nice as I'm sure you'll agree!

All of this should be avoided though with the correct iguana lighting setup, iguana diet and a reasonable temperature, which we'll cover next.

Yes, iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, requiring a heater at least during the winter months to live satisfactorily.

But until a few years ago not enough attention has been paid to how much heat your iguana needs.

The best way to judge it is to watch your iguana's behaviour. As you should have the iguana heater at one end of the iguana cage to provide a heat gradient, pay special attention to where abouts he sits in the tank. If he always at the cold end it's likely that you're heating the tank too much for his liking.

On the other hand, if he is virtually always basking under the heater, it is likely you need to turn up the heat, or buy a more powerful one if it's already on full power.

A temperature of 35-38 C at the "hot spot" is recommended by most authorities and I have found this to be ideal.

Below this temperature, iguanas do not just get cold.

Their immune system starts to suffer and it takes longer for your iguana to digest his food. Sitting in the gut longer there is a greater chance of it going off and causing all sorts of digestive problems.

The best book I have come across on iguana diseases is "What's Wrong With My Iguana?" by John Rossi. If you're thinking of buying an iguana, or own one already, and don't have a copy of this book I highly recommend you get one today.

Iguana Diseases Iguana Health Featuring a limited number of common iguana diseases including arguably the most common of these - iguana leg injuries.