My baby iguana isn't eating. What are the common causes and fixes?

Thanks for reaching out about your young iguana and including photos. By the pictures he appears lethargic and thin, with wrinkled skin likely indicative of dehydration. Check environmental temperature to assure optimal. Intestinal infections and infestations (parasites) are possibilities if husbandry is correct. Syringe feed food and water to provided strength and hydration. A veterinary visit is highly recommended as he appears very lethargic and weak. Good luck.

Check the temps in the tank. Low temps can affect appetite. Offer a commercial iguana diet. If you have a large enclosure, Lizzie may have difficulty locating her food dish. Mist her with water or soak her daily in warm water to prevent or treat mild dehydration.

Without an image or physical exam, it can be difficult to determine exactly what is going on. It could be a bacterial or fungal infection, skin from shedding or trauma (burn, abrasion, etc). Ideally, Iggy should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can find one using the link below if necessary. http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 In the meantime, confirm proper environmental parameters. To much humidity can promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth, too little humidity can lead to difficult sheds. Make sure Iggy cannot come into contact with either the heat lamp or UVB light source. Minor infection can be treated with daily cleanings using diluted Betadine or Chlorhexidine. Clean and sanitize the cage and use plain paper towels as substrate to make cleaning easier until the issue is resolved.

The bumps could be infection (bacterial or fungal). An iguana that won't eat should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian. Make sure the temp in the enclosure is warm enough. Low temps can affect appetite. Symptoms may indicate MBD (metabolic bone disease), but this should be diagnosed by the vet. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will treat or prevent mild dehydration and may help with shedding. If bloodwork shows low calcium, your vet can dispense or administer calcium supplementation.

Confirm proper temperatures. Low temps can affect activity, appetite and digestion in reptiles. Soak Jax in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide heat and may treat or prevent mild dehydration. Be sure prey is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between the eyes. Look for pinhead crickets or freshly hatched/molted dubia roaches. Gutload them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Fluker's Repti-Boost can be used as a supplement. If Jax does not begin eating, have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose illness or injury.

Make sure enclosure temps are appropriate. Juveniles need warmer temps than adults and temperature affects digestion in reptiles. You can also soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Gently massage her abdomen to stimulate defecation.

Hmmm, not an easy one :) They do have their own character and can be stubborn. The problem is that they need high ambient temperatures and humidity, and you are not going to get those in the living room. Perhaps you need a larger enclosure or a re-arrangement of the existing one. Keeping him on the couch will in a cool and dry environment (I'm guessing) will have a negative effect on his health.