Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Oh man.
I fear that by rescuing this iguana, that I have gotton in way over my head.
This is my iggy...

Some of you may remember my first problem a few weeks ago with the bloating and inability to poo .
Well, we got that out of the way. We are now eating awesomely, and pooping turds like clockwork.

But now, another problem has arised!!

I noticed this a week or so ago...
Discolored patches on his skin. I didn't pay too much attention to it at the time because I was so focused on the bowel movements and making sure he had proper food in his belly, now the patches have become DRAMATICALLY darker and seem to be spreading.

Pics here:

(yes, I know he's still very skinny, we're working on it...at least he's not swollen and bloated like a balloon anymore.)

And a closer up image...

C'mon people, please say it isn't more bad news (although I fear it is...) ... :/

Anyone know?
Help?

They look like burns, but could also be a skin infection. I'll need a bit more info to help you:

Does this ig have access to anything he could be getting burns from, like a heat rock (the worst of all heating sources)?

Does he have marks like this on his underside too?

Does he have a basking light, how many watts, how far away from him?

Have you cheched to make sure the basking temps are OK, and not so hot he could be burning his skin?

Can you give us a pic of his setup?

Has he been to a qualified herp vet, checked and treated for parasites?

Freight

It's a juvvie, but I don't see any major problems. It's crest is dilapidated, and it has brown streaks that look like old shed. But it's jawline looks ok and it's front legs done't have the "popeye" look caused by MBD. It doesn't have a starved look in it's front chest area, but it may be puffing up.

What is it that I should see?

Roger

NM

I'm sorry to say that, but it is NOT normal at all. Are the spots mushy? Do they smell bad? Or are they tough and scratchy? I would say either gangrene (wet or dry I can't say) or burns that happened previously and now the flesh has died. It's vet time. Otherwise he looks like such a sweet little thing. I know it's overwhelming. We'll be here every step of the way. You did a great thing by rescuing him.

Please post an update about what the vet says. When you are making the appointment, emphasize that is is an absolute emergency. Don't downplay the symptoms on the phone.

Sincerely,
Erin

Those look like burns, but are probably abcesses. Has he recently been bitten by another iguana? If those lesions appeared out of thin air, take him to the vet again, then keep it up, slog through these first sets of problems, and pretty soon his immune system will be healthy enough to take care of him on it's own.

Roger

I would bet on either thermal burns (most likely) or necrotic dermatitis. Either way i would definaly listen to the other posts and schedule a vet visit. I too rescued an ig, and it had been rather costly for me too. Luckily, sunshine makes a wonderful (albeit surly at times) pet. Entertaining too. The last time i took her to the vet i dropped $200 just to find out that her egg foilcles were active. Keep up the great work with your little guy. It is alot of work, but believe me, rescued animals are the most loving and rewarding to share your home with.

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"Brains for dinner, brains for lunch. Brains for breakfast, brains for brunch. Brains for every single meal; why can't we have some GUTS?"-Misfits

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