My 5-month-old blue iguana looks bloated. What's wrong with him?

Thanks for reaching out about Rem. Continue to provide 5-10 minute warm water soaks, a few times daily to stimulate defecation. Intestinal infections, parasites, ingested foreign bodies (substrate, bark, etc) or metabolic disorders can all lead to bloat and anorexia. If this continues a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and assist with a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Lucas and including photos. He does not appear overweight in the pictures. If feels gassy, try a 5-10 minute warm water soak to stimulate defecation. If watery, loose or malodorous, consider a fecal examination for parasites, through a veterinary clinic. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Heli and including photos. He does appear a little thin in the pictures. Not sure if this is a boney lesion as few bones at that lateral aspect. Does he eat a lot of dark leafy greens? A urinary stone or enlarged kidney would be concerns. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Providing warm water soaks could stimulate water intake and urination. Good luck.

If there is any chance the beardies are any older, I would be thinking that one could be pregnant. This usually doesn't occur until at the youngest around 10-12 months however. It is best that they don't breed until even older than this as well, so hopefully this is not the case. Other causes of distended abdomen in these lizards are gastrointestinal impactions, constipation, overeating, obesity, and certain cancers. GI Impaction seems unlikely in this scenario due to the movement of the bowels. If this is an issue with constipation, enemas can be provided though I would not recommend performing this at home unless you are very familiar with reptilian anatomy. An x-ray would really help in this case provide all the information we need. It would show us if there are any eggs, if there is constipation, any sort of tumor (probably), and many other possible issues. Hope this helps!

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Pinky but the picture is un-recognizable and out of focus. A distended stomach is a possible obstruction, maybe from the chewed paper towels. If distended for a month, a veterinary visit is highly recommended. Try offering a shallow warm water soak, which might encourage defecation. Still, see a veterianrian. Good luck.

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.