Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got an iguana, a baby. I've read a lot about caring for iguanas because I've found that pet stores know precisely jack. I got an 100W infrared bulb because I thought it would work just as well as the other basking lamps (and it was all the pet store had at the time). I noticed yesterday when I got in that his skin on the top of his head had slightly pinkened. I thought it was just my paranoia, but read to see if I could find out why. I've not been able to find any confirmation of my hypothesis, which is that his lamp was too hot and it "sunburned" him? The bulb was pretty close to him (6-8 inches). Anyone know if I'm right? It seemed to get worse today so I went out and bought a 60W basking lamp that had listed on it temperatures it produced for different distances. The fact that it said it would heat up to 91 degrees F at a distance of 18 inches (and that it was 60W and could do this) makes me think I'm right and that the 100W buld was much too hot (I don't have a thermometer right now--I'm buying one tomorrow). Anyone able to confirm what I'm guessing? And if so, is there anything I can do to help him heal? I hate to think I've put him in pain already!

Good thinking. But you do know you need the UV lamps too right? Those do not produce heat, just the correct lighting to simulate sunlight and help synthesize Vitamin D3 to absorb Calcium.

Annyways, you're on the right track, you can apply pennicillin on the wound, or Vitamin E (you know, those gel-caps used as supplement... you breaks one, and gently apply the gel on it).

That works if there's exposed live tissue, since scales do not absorb like "skin". A quick look from a vet would be even better.

The correct medical remedy you can do at home is the following:

First clean the burned area with Novalsan or Betadine. Dry it gently with a clean cloth or cotton balls. After that, apply a thin coat of Polysporin (antibiotic ointment). If it's worse, go to a vet.

Be careful with the parietal eye (third eye) on their head.
Since he's a baby, he will be squirmy and skittish, so be gentle and patient. Do little by little to minimize stress and injury to him, in case he's too agitated.

Is the enclosure spacious enough? He should be able to heat on one side, and cool off on the other. Also, if it's not tall enough, even if it's a baby, you do increase risks of burns or even eye-damage from being so close to a heat/light source.
Hope he feels better, let us know his progress.

-IJ

p.s. do not use heat rocks

"Neosporin" will do fine as well. :-D

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I know I need the UV lamp, got it yesterday. Already since he has "normal" white light in the tank he seems less irritable.

The thing about the "burn" is that it did not break the skin or blister, just turned the scales on the top of his head, and a little bit around his face, pink. This is a sign of too much heat, right? You say that scales do not absorb, so is there any use in applying ointment or penicillin? I only have a 10 gallon tank for him at the moment because of my limited space, but I don't think it will be too much of a problem for him since in a couple of months I will have graduated, moved, and hopefully gotten a job so I can afford and have room for a larger tank. His basking lamp is now not resting on the tank lid but I have clamped it a few inches above, so the highest he can get puts him about 14-16 inches from it. By the way, I don't know how old he is, what would you estimate his age is given that he is a little over a foot long including his tail?

Hmm... on the head, and cheeks?
I know Asian Water Dragons get pinkish there during mating season... but this is a baby ig... weird...

Are you sure there is no damage to the scales?

If they seem to be blister-like, it may be blister deasea, which cna be cause by damp, unclean or unsanitary habitats. Treat it immediately as previously described.

I would still clean it for the moment, and still apply some Neosporin just to be safe. Iguanas in captivity with minor injuries can escalate into virulent infections, due to the concentrated bacteria in a closed environment. Hence why the enclosure should be well cleaned EVERY DAY. Don't listen to people who say every so days, or once a week, etc. Every day you clean, you disinfect soiled areas, make sure there is no toxic residue, and put the animal back. It takes only a few minutes of your time, and it gets the animal accustomed to being handled.

Since you have had him for little time, give him time to adjust. Have a hiding spot available, and give him plenty of privacy.

Does he feed good?

At one-foot Total Length (TL) it's hard to say, but for the first 3 years they grow about a foot per year. A 4 year old iguana can be 3.5 to 4 feet long, depending on the individual animal, health history, nutrition, etc. But it is definately a juvenile of roughly one year of age.

To save money in the long run, go as big as you can when you settle in and can afford a new enclosure. That way you can forget about it 'til the iguana is a full grown adult (in that case the enclosure will need some remodeling and resizing, or just do a new one).

Good luck!

-IJ

Thanks so much for the advice! Night before last I gave him a bath in some lukewarm water and small amount of anti-bacterial soap (already dissolved in the water, didn't apply any to him directly). I applied Neosporin. Although I'm sure it couldn't have hurt, it didn't seem to help any by the next morning. So last night I put some Vitamin E on him. I think it did decrease the pinkness overnight. In the meantime I've had him out a lot and he seems very comfortable with me. He almost never bites or whips (me--he still does my friends) now and I can sit on my couch and watch TV while he chills on me. He likes to climb up to the back of my couch and explore my blankets. He seems to be feeding well, eats probably about one human mouthful a day. I've been feeding him kale and shredded squash. He apparently loves the kale. He seems shy about eating, because I never see him do so.

I have 2 rocks and a branch in his aquarium that I found outdoors, one of the rocks providing a little ledge he can hide under. Don't worry, I know about the foreign parasite deal, so I baked the objects in the oven on 475 for a few minutes to kill any microbes or parasites. He mostly hangs out on the branch as high as he can get, where my themometer tells me the temperature is about 95 degrees. I started cleaning his carpet floor every day now with bleach.

I named him Lex and he seems to be doing fine now, with the exception of the remaining pinkness, but I think it will heal soon. Is it normal for a baby to get tame quickly? He went from crazy biting and whipping Monday, to just squirming and mild skittishness today. I've had him a total of about 6 days now.

Thanks so much in advance!

By the way, he's 14 inches long.

Sorry for yet another post to read, but a couple other quick bits of info: he's pooping every day, but it seems the amount is small one day and big the next. This pattern has repeated 2 or 3 times now. I have been giving him calcium supplement with Vitamin D3 sprinkled on his food also.

That's good news!

The Neosporin was for in case of infection and bacteria. The Vit. E to help the skin.

No iguanas are alike. Some tame easily, others will give you hell for years. If he has tamed so well so soon it means that either you have done a wonderful job at gaining its trust; or it is actually still scared and remains motionless awaiting you to eat him, hahaha.

As long as it poops, big or small, it's fine. Luke-warm water helps move the bowls. Careful with the supplements, too much Vit. D3 can be toxic, as well as any supplement give too much.
Once or twice a week is generally acceptable, or ask a vet.

To synthesize the Vit. D3, the iguana needs the correct lighting (sunlight outside, UV lamps inside).

So far it sounds you're doing fine, so keep up the good work!

-IJ

The situation has worsened (he's more red and some of his scales seem a little blistered), but I think I may know what the problem is now...I've been giving him calcium supplement every day. I hope I've not poisoned him! Somehow in all my reading I never caught that it was a once-a-week thing. I checked about taking him to the vet and an office fee costs 40 bucks (and the vet is not even a herp!--the closest one is over an hour away). I don't have 40 bucks or a way of driving all that way. I feel really horrible and I don't want him to die! What do you think I should do?

"De-toxify" him by cutting down the supplements for a week, but keep the feeding regular.

As for the scales, if you say 'blister-like', like I asid earlier, it may be blister dease, and that can be very bad news if untreated.

Clean them up EVERYDAY, even twice a day, and add the Neosporin.

Also, are you sure he's not rubbing his nose/head/body too much against the enclosure? Cuz that could be something different then, but just as bad if not taken care of. Nose-rubbing can lead to necrosis.

Eventually you will have to bring it to a vet. It needs a check up, and de-worming etc. Exotic animals aren't cheap. Take the one-hour drive, you will only have to take it once if all goes well, and then once a year for check-ups.

Iguanas are not as cheap as they sound or seem to be.
Treat him and see what happens over the weekend and during next week, but sooner or later that little iguana will have to have its first vet visit. And if the problem persists, he definately will have to see a vet.

Hope it gets better!

-IJ