My 8-year-old iguana has leg muscle spasms. What should I do?

Thanks for reaching out about Gabe. If calcium and other husbandry items are appropriate, one should consider metabolic concerns such atadenovirus, enteric parasites, other infections, liver or renal disease and neurologic problems. An experienced reptile veterinarian should be consulted for an examination and possible diagnostic testing. If housed with others, it is recommended to separate and quarantine, as several of these possibilities are contagious to other reptiles. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Guan. If he is having difficulty using his limbs, a veterinary visit is highly recommended. Metabolic bone disease can result in clinical signs from weakness to fractures. Environmental temperatures should be in the 90-100 under the basking site and at the lowest 70s at night, therefore they should never feel cold. See your local veterinarian as soon as possible. Good luck.

This may be due to nutritional deficiency or digestive issue (impaction impinging on nerves). If Medusa is defecating normally, it likely is not a digestion issue. If she is having difficulty defecating, soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. Gently massage her abdomen during the soak to encourage defecation. Feed appropriately sized prey to prevent impaction/constipation. Prey should be no bigger than the space between her eyes. Gut load prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Check temperatures since low temps can affect appetite and digestion. A calcium deficiency is another possible cause. Juvenile beardies need more calcium and vitamin supplementation than adult beardies. Rep-Cal's Herptivite multivitamin powder and Calcium with D3 powder are the gold standards for supplements. Dust prey twice weekly with the multivitamin and 5 days per week with the calcium powder. As your beardies mature, they will require less frequent supplementation. An adequate UVB light source is also required to allow proper utilization of the D3. Change the bulb every 6 months. Make sure it is not blocked by glass or plexiglass and confirm it is not too far from Medusa to be effective. Trauma from a fall may be another cause. Arrange cage furniture to prevent falls from heights. Monitor for other signs of injury (swelling, scrapes, bleeding,etc). If husbandry changes do not improve Medusa's condition, have her examined by your veterinarian or by a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

This is probably due to improper UV lamp and possibly not enough Calcium in the diet causing MBD. you need to get a new UVB bulb and you need to change it every 6 months, you also need to sprinkle calcium powder on his food every day.

Thanks for reaching out about Pablosita and including a photo. A veterinary visit is recommended in an attempt to determine spinal trauma vs. soft tissue trauma. Both conditions have a better prognosis is treated early. Calcium deficiencies can lead to weaker both more sensitive to trauma. Besides anti-inflammtories, acupuncture and other alternative medicine modalities could be beneficial. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Sky and including photos. By the picture it appears this might be a congenital concern. Radiographs will give possible answers. Some viral diseases (i.e. atadenovirus) can also cause neurologic signs. Good luck.

He should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose infection, injury or metabolic bone disease. Provide unfiltered UVB lighting as well as a heat source. Calcium(D3) and multivitamin supplementation is essential as is a healthy diet of fresh greens, vegetables and fruits. You can also supplement the diet with a commercial iguana food. Review iguana care at the link below. Yes, it says "green iguana" however care is the same. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Green-Iguana/