My iguana won’t eat and is really scared of me. I need help. What can I do?

Iguanas, although fairly popular as pets, are quite difficult to look after properly. They grow quite large (5-6′ in length) and can be aggressive.  Many of the medical problems that they suffer from are related to inappropriate living conditions or diet.  Inappetance (or not eating) may be an indicator of disease (such as intestinal parasites, kidney disease, metabolic bone disease), inappropriate housing, or a combination of several factors.

The first step in getting your pet back on track is a good physical examination.  This will allow an experienced reptile veterinarian to look him (or her) over from nose to tip of the tail, identifying any abnormalities along the way.  Samples (such as a fecal sample and blood sample) will likely be submitted for analysis to identify intestinal parasites, infections, anemia, calcium problems, kidney disease, or other problems.  Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we can review housing, feeding practices, and handling practices that can help your iguana live a long and healthy life.

We look forward to meeting you and helping to get your iguana feeling better.  You can schedule an appointment with Dr Peter Helmer at 813 885 4477.