My green iguana won't eat and avoids his heat lamps. What to do?

Thanks for reaching out about Green and including a photo. Causes of anorexia in young reptiles can range from improper husbandry/diet, intestinal parasites or infections, metabolic disorders and others. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and assist. Measure and correct temperature, humidity and UV exposure. A warm water soak can possibly stimulate defecation and water intake. A small syringe without a needle can be used to offer a vegetable baby food. Good luck.

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.

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.

The brown spots could be early mouth rot or other infection. He should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles today. Check the temps in the tank. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. His symptoms may also indicate nutritional deficiency. If he is cold, soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Offer an appropriate diet of fresh chopped greens. Supplement with a calcium and multivitamin powder as well. He should be under a heat lamp and a UVB light source. A special diet such as Oxbow Emeraid may be indicated. You can purchase this from your veterinarian after an exam.

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.

Check the temperature in his enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. If he isn't eating or not exposed to high quality UVB lighting, he can become calcium deficient which could account for the tremors. If he is less than 30 inches long, confirm a basking temp of around 115 F. If he is bigger, bump basking temp to between 125 F and 135 F. Multiple lower wattage lights over a larger area are recommended over one high intensity light source. Try to get him to eat and offer a calcium supplement. If you can get a liquid supplement, that would be best right now. Zoo Med and Fluker's offer such a supplement.Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent minor dehydration. if he doesn't eat or if the tremors worsen, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles as soon as possible.