My iguana has a crusty mouth gap, but seems fine. Should I worry?

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.

Any small nick or scratch can become infected. He could have scratched himself in or out or the enclosure. If he is behaving normally, you can treat it topically with a diluted Betadine cleanse followed by a dab of triple antibiotic ointment daily until it resolves. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian if he becomes lethargic, loses his appetite or if the area doesn't heal, becomes swollen or has discharge.

Look for redness, swelling, decreased appetite or excess salivation. The "crust" may be food crumbs, shed skin or substrate. A physical exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet would be needed to definitively diagnose rot. In the meantime, make sure the enclosure is clean as poor husbandry can predispose a beardie to infection. High humidity can also promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth.

Thanks for reaching out about Chispi and including a photo. This appears to be mandibular hypertrophy, likely a result of calcium deficiency, termed metabolic bone disease. A veterinary visit should be scheduled to determine other concerns such as bowed bones, etc. Dietary/vitamin D deficiencies, preferred optimal thermal zone and exposure to ultraviolet radiation, all need to be investigated. This is a serious and possible fatal problem and should be corrected soon. 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.

She may be "gaping". This behavior is typically in response to stress or a threat. Monitor for lethargy, wheezing or a clicking/popping sound whilenbreatuing. These symptoms, along with the gaping, may indicate a developing respiratory infection. You would need to have her physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles for confirmation and treatment.

It is difficult to appreciate the red spots in the images provided. Monitor for lethargy, decreased appetite or spreading of the spots. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls and hides. Use paper towels as substrate and change it daily. If Beast develops any of the above symptoms, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat illness or injury.