Iguana

Metabolic bone disease (MBD)

SignsSwollen jaw or limbs, soft lower jaw, awkward gait, tremors, fractures

PreventionUVB light 10–12 hours daily, replaced every 6 months. Dust leafy greens with calcium powder

Kidney failure

SignsIncreased drinking, weight loss, swelling of the jaw or limbs, poor appetite, inactivity, muscle twitching

PreventionNever feed animal protein. Water-rich leafy greens and fresh water daily. Annual blood test

Egg binding (dystocia)

SignsFemale with a swollen belly that does not lay, total loss of appetite, hind-leg paralysis, straining, weakness

PreventionFemales lay even when kept alone. Provide a deep nest box, correct temperature, plenty of calcium and UVB. Do not handle during laying season

Retained shed (dysecdysis)

SignsOld skin left on toes, tail tip or dorsal spines that constricts; toes turn black or are lost

PreventionKeep humidity at 60–80% and mist daily. Soften skin with warm soaks. Never peel it off by force

Mouth rot (stomatitis)

SignsYellow-white cheesy material around the mouth, drooling, mouth will not close, swelling around the mouth

PreventionOccurs when low temperature or poor nutrition weakens immunity. Keep the cage clean, maintain correct temperature and a herbivorous diet

Burns and cold injury

SignsBlisters or black patches on belly or back, peeling skin. When cold, stays still and the body color darkens

PreventionCover heaters so the animal cannot touch them. Place two thermometers and check day and night temperatures

Tail autotomy / tail injury

PreventionNever grab the tail. Do not let the tail get caught in cage doors or gaps. Do not startle it in a confined space

First aidPress bleeding gently with clean gauze. Do not wash the stump; switch bedding to paper to keep it clean and see a vet

Broken or torn-out nail

PreventionAvoid mesh and fabric items; trim nails regularly. Do not create a setup where it scratches at walls

First aidPress with gauze for 5 minutes. If bleeding continues or the nail was torn out at the base, see a vet the same day to prevent infection

Fracture (with MBD)

PreventionStrengthen bones with UVB and calcium. Do not let it fall from heights. Support the whole body when lifting

First aidDo not touch the injured area; move to a low container and keep warm. Do not try to splint it. See a vet the same day for X-rays

Burn (heat source contact)

PreventionMount basking lights outside the cage or with a wire guard. Position heaters where the body cannot touch them

First aidCool the area with room-temperature water and cover with dry, clean gauze. Do not apply ointment; see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteFeces, skin, cage, tubs used for soaking

PreventionWash hands with soap after contact. Do not wash equipment in the kitchen. Keep young children and the elderly from handling

Infected bites and scratches

RouteBacteria enter wounds made by sharp teeth and claws

PreventionRinse wounds under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Deep wounds, swelling or fever: see a doctor. Handle with long sleeves and gloves

Mites (reptile mites)

RouteTiny black mites on the skin bite humans

PreventionQuarantine new animals for 1 month. If you find mites, see a vet and wash the entire cage

Parasites (protozoa, nematodes)

RouteOral route from feces. Inadequate handwashing

PreventionAnnual fecal exam. Remove feces promptly; disinfect any tub it defecated in with chlorine bleach

Food

• Staple is finely chopped leafy greens (komatsuna, bok choy, mulukhiyah, butterhead lettuce)
• Vegetables such as squash, carrot and okra about 20%; fruit 10% or less
• Juveniles daily; adults daily to every other day. Add calcium powder 3–4 times a week

Water

• Provide a large shallow water dish and change it daily. Wash it every time it defecates in it
• Mist leafy greens to add moisture. Warm soaks 2–3 times a week also provide hydration

Toys & play

• Arrange thick driftwood or branches diagonally to create a high spot for climbing and basking
• Warm soaks and water play in a tub or plastic basin (depth just enough to cover the belly)
• Hammock-style fabric shelf, made of tightly woven material that nails cannot snag

Nest, bed & hideout

• A flat shelf on the upper branches wide enough to lie across
• One cork bark or shelter at the bottom to hide in

Bedding & litter

• Pet sheets or newspaper are clean and unlikely to be swallowed
• Avoid sand and wood chips; swallowing them causes intestinal blockage
• Defecates almost daily. Many do so in the water dish, so wash it every day

Cage / housing material

Large wooden or aluminum-frame cage. Glass holds heat poorly, so add insulation

Size & space

Adults need at least 180 cm wide x 90 cm deep x 180 cm high. Prioritize height even for juveniles

Layout

• Basking spot (35–38°C) and UVB light at the top
• Cool spot at 28–30°C and a large water area at the bottom
• Several climbing branches set diagonally so it can choose its own temperature gradient

Placement notes

• Window sills and direct sun overheat; floor placement is too cold. Place against a wall
• Grows fast, tripling in size in a year. Plan a large cage or room-based housing from the start

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free-roaming indoors makes temperature control hard and often leads to falls, swallowing objects or electric shock
• When letting it out, close windows and doors and remove electrical cords and houseplants
• Sunbathe outdoors on warm days in a mesh cage for 10–20 minutes; always provide shade and water and never leave it unattended

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureDaytime 28–32°C, basking 35–38°C, 25°C or above at night

Humidity60–80%. Maintain with misting twice a day and a large water area

Summer & winter

• Summer: heatstroke above 35°C. Control room temperature with air conditioning and ensure ventilation
• Winter: insulate the whole cage. Use a night heater and insulation so it never drops below 25°C

Nail trimming

Once or twice a month, clip only the sharp tips with reptile nail clippers. Trim a little at a time to avoid the quick

Brushing, skin & coat care

Warm soaks at 30–32°C 2–3 times a week to moisturize skin and aid shedding. Check dorsal spines and toes for retained skin

Other care

Check teeth and the mouth area daily for deposits. After a soak, dry it off and return it to the cage so body temperature does not drop

Protection from predators

• Dogs and cats bite the tail and toes. House in a separate room and keep them apart when it is out
• Watch for crows, cats and wild felids during outdoor sunbathing; never leave it unattended
• Check screens to keep out mosquitoes and ticks; disinfect branches brought in from outside with boiling water

Foreign-body ingestion

Eats bedding, pebbles, houseplants or plastic scraps and gets an intestinal blockage. Do not use sand or chips; clear the floor when it is out, and see a vet if poor appetite and no droppings continue

Being stepped on

With room-based housing, stepping on it unnoticed at your feet causes fractures or internal injury. Always check where it is before walking, and return it to the cage when guests visit

Getting pinched

Tail or toes caught in cage doors, sliding doors or furniture gaps cause autotomy or fractures. Check the tail position before closing doors and fit stoppers on sliding doors

Falls

Falls from heights cause fractures or internal bleeding. Iguanas with MBD break bones even in minor falls. Do not let it climb above shoulder height; after a fall, do not handle, keep warm and see a vet

Escape

Escapes through windows or torn screens and dies of cold or bites someone. Lock windows when it is out. If it escapes, search warm high places and sunny spots, and report to the police and the municipal office

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and silent, and lower the bitten hand to floor level
2. Splash water on its snout or dip its mouth in water
3. If it still will not let go, slide a thin card into the side of its mouth and gently pry it open
4. Once released, cover its head with a cloth, return it to the cage, darken it and let it rest for 30 minutes

After the release

Rinse under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Deep wounds, bleeding that will not stop, swelling or fever: see a doctor. Risk of Salmonella

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Temperature, humidity, UVB replacement date, diet, date of last droppings, weight trend, photos of stool and urates. Confirm in advance that the clinic sees reptiles

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response: pinch a toe, touch the eyelid and see if it blinks
• Breathing: watch the flanks rise and fall. A few breaths per minute at rest is normal
• A cold body is not abnormal in an ectotherm. Check body color and tongue color

Stopping bleeding

• Press gently with clean gauze for 5 minutes. Do not press hard
• Tail autotomy bleeds little and stops on its own. Do not apply powders or medication
• Bleeding from the nail base or mouth, or bleeding not stopped in 5 minutes: see a vet

Transport

• For large animals, use a carrier covered with cloth or a sturdy box. Do not bend the tail
• Add a cloth-wrapped heat pack, keep it dark, keep the car above 25°C and avoid vibration