Health Care For Iguanas

If Iguanas are acquired for being a pet, the owner must be prepared to accept a responsibility of really taking good care of it. Just as a family decides in adopting a child from an orphanage, the new parents must have basic knowledge of how to rear children, how to nurture them not just physically but emotionally as well. In the case of the new pet owner of an Iguana, he/she must be able to provide the necessary caring, attention, health and atmosphere. An atmosphere that the iguana is really home close to the likeness of his natural habitat.

Some of the common illnesses are as follows:

1. Fibrous Osteodystrophy - Also known as Metabolic bone disease. Symptoms of this ailment are swollen jaw, swollen limbs, loss of alertness and appetite, inactiveness and fracture on the spine or limbs. If not properly treated, the problem may even lead o death.  This disease is acquired through improper nutrition in feeding iguanas. They may be fed alright, but if the food being ingested are not the correct ones, they may still be prone to this disease. To prevent this from happening, the food requirements must be fruits and vegetables rich in calcium, phosphorous, potassium and Vitamins B and  D.
2. Tail and Back leg Paralysis - Paralysis of the tail and back legs usually occurs for iguanas due to lack of vitamin b1. Major cases need immediate treatment through injection of essential vitamins and minerals. To prevent recurrence, maintenance of vitamin supplements must be provided.
3. Abrasions on the mouth and nose - Abrasions leading to bacterial infection, rostrum ulceration and deformities. This problem arises when iguanas become uneasy or are agitated and they try to escape from its cage.
4. Burns - This is associated with the heating and lighting equipment installed in or near the cage of the pet iguana. There is no better way to prevent this than making sure all such peripherals are installed safely away from the iguana's reach. For treatment, tap water at room temp to cool down  minor burns and dry it keep it in a cool dry place. For major burns, apply burn ointment to prevent infection and see a Vet at as soon as immediately.
5. Bacterial Infection - This occurs when two or more improper factors are disregarded. First one is when the pet is not well tended, not fed with correct nutrition. Second is when it acquires sores or cuts because of the 1st problem. Third combines with the two which is the filth and unhygienic surrounding of the pet cage. Then the iguana has the perfect equation to derive bacterial infection. Bacterial infection requires Veterinarian attention. The 4th problem is trying to play a Doctor and try to give iguana the medicines out of guessing and assumptions.
6. Bladder and gout stones are acquired when iguanas are fed with too much protein from insects. Protein is harder to process by their digestive system and so it crystallizes and form stones. These stones harms the internal organs and cause infection. A symptom of this disease is enlarged abdomen.
7. Egg binding - This happens to pregnant females when their laying of eggs are distracted and gets trapped through its reproductive tracks. This is a fatal problem which could cause death. Therefore, it is a must that during laying of its eggs, the iguanas are not to be disturbed.