For all their size, Iguanas can be surprisingly susceptible to health problems, ranging from the simple to the serious. It's always a good idea to search out a good reptile vet BEFORE you bring your first Iguana home. It's also a good idea to take even a healthy-seeming Ig in for a checkup when you get them. Reptiles hide signs of illness very well, and may be suffering from parasites or disease without it being apparent right away. Even if your Ig is perfectly healthy, a visit to the vet in full health gives them something to compare against when your Ig does become ill.

Any new animal coming into a household with established pets should be quarantined for a month or more to make sure they do not transmit any slow to appear disease. If you bring an Iguana into a household with other reptiles, make sure you house the Ig seperately for several weeks, preferably in another room, and thoroughly disinfect yourself and any husbandry items before handling your other reptiles.

Iguanas can become infested with mites, a nasty little bloodsucking creature that can stress out your Iguana and cause anemia in large infestations. Many over the counter remedies are sold, but most are worse than useless. Your best bet is to have the vet prescribe a miticide and treat both your Ig and his or her enclosure!

Many Iguanas carry various intestinal parasites that can be identified by your vet through a fecal exam. Internal parasites can be treated with prescription medicine form your vet. Many vets will perform a fecal without seeing your animal if you are an established customer and they have seen your animal several times before. Most will require that you come for at least one face to face visit before prescribing anything for your animal. This is required by law in many states.

Iguanas can also be susceptible to kidney failure if they are not kept well hydrated. This is one of the reasons why proper humidity and access to drinking water at all times is so important.

Iguanas are also capable of dropping their tails if pulled on too hard or if startled while you are gripping it. While most of the time the bleeding stops fairly quickly, and the lost tail eventually grows back, this can be a traumatizing event for both Iguana and owner. Some neosporin ointment can be kept on hand for treating dropped tails and other small cuts or injuries.

There are many other health problems that can affect your Iguana. When in doubt, my best advice is to see the vet. Better safe than sorry.

© 2002 - M. Martin