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Pet Health
 The green (or common) iguana is an arboreal (tree-living) and diurnal (daylight-active) lizard usually found at elevations below 3000 feet in tropical and subtropical regions from northern Mexico to central South America. It is most often found in the vicinity of rivers and streams. Iguanas have short, powerful limbs equipped with strong, sharp claws (for climbing and digging), and a long, strong tail. They can reach lengths of 6-6½ feet. A large flap of skin (the dewlap) hangs from the throat and helps regulate body temperature. Iguanas also have a prominent crest of soft spines (longer in Males) along the midline of the neck and back, beginning at the base of the skull.
Diet
Juvenile iguanas should be fed daily. A good diet consists of vegetable material (broccoli and its leaves, Swiss chard, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, beet, collard, mustard and turnip greens, carrot tops and thawed, frozen mixed vegetables). Chop all of the ingredients into a size easily handled by the young iguana. Then mix them thoroughly and store the mixture in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. Once or twice a day, offer a small amount of this mixture after it has been liberally sprinkled with an appropriate vitamin-mineral supplement (Reptical and Vita-Life, Terra-Fauna Products, Mountain View, CA 94042; Reptovite, Verner's Pet Products, Long Beach, CA 90807). Nekton-Pet (from West Germany) and other Nekton products are available for sale in some veterinary hospitals.
Intestinal Inoculation
A fairly recent discovery has provided a probable explanation for the premature deaths of young iguanas despite apparently adequate diets. In the wild, young iguanas obtain needed intestinal bacteria and protozoa by eating the feces of adult iguanas. The microorganisms acquired this way are essential for digestion of plant material. Baby iguanas are not born with these microbes, so young iguanas reared in captivity never acquire them.
Hygiene
Next to adequate nutrition, no other aspect of husbandry for captive reptiles is more important than sanitation and hygiene. Many bacterial and fungal diseases of captive reptiles result from their daily exposure to fecal contamination and a damp, filthy environment. In the wild, reptiles have acres of land and water over which their feces and uneaten food can be scattered. They rarely, if ever, come in contact with this material. This is not the case with captive reptiles. Owners of captive reptiles engage in a continual struggle to prevent bacterial buildup caused by inevitable deposition of waste product and uneaten food.
Visual Security
A hiding place into which a captive iguana can retreat and be free from constant visual scrutiny should be provided. Visual security can be provided by supplying cardboard rolls (from toilet paper or paper towels) for small iguanas or cardboard boxes for large iguanas. Optimal visual security can be provided, however, by strategic placement of artificial plants. Because iguanas like to climb and bask, some of the branches and artificial plants provided should be arranged to allow this activity above the floor of the enclosure. Silk artificial plants are visually pleasing and easy to clean and maintain, and also withstand the use of disinfectants.
Focal Heat Source
All reptiles require a warm environmental temperature to raise their body temperature and increase their metabolic rate and activity level. The optimal environmental temperature to provide for captive iguanas in their enclosures is between 85° and 103° F.
Sunlight and Artificial Sunlight
Captive reptiles rarely receive adequate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, especially when they are housed indoors. Captive reptiles, especially iguanas, must receive direct sunlight to benefit from its UV component. Ultraviolet light is necessary to properly absorb dietary calcium.
Water
Water can be made available to captive iguanas in a variety of ways. A standing water source, such as a filled ceramic dish, can be available for bathing and drinking. Spraying water on artificial plants and allowing the iguana to lap up this moisture is another suitable strategy.
Cage Mate
A cage mate for an iguana is not advisable. Iguanas are not particularly sociable animals and are quite territorial. The addition of a cage mate invites unnecessary aggression and fighting.
Metabolic Bone Disease
The most common disease of captive iguanas result from gross malnutrition. Most new iguana owners are not given proper dietary counseling when they buy their iguana. In fact, many are given incorrect information. The most common mistake is feeding lettuce (usually iceberg lettuce) to the exclusion of other important dietary items (see the section on Diet). Lettuce provides adequate amounts of moisture but is a nutritionally barren food otherwise. The problem is often aggravated by Vitamin D3 and calcium deficiencies, which result from inadequate exposure to direct sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light and lack of vitamin-mineral supplementation.
Paralysis of the Rear Legs
A disease resulting from vitamin B1 deficiency causes paralysis of the rear legs and tail. This problem is treated with injectable B vitamins and dietary improvement, including vitamin-mineral supplementation. Rear limb paralysis may also result from mineral (especially calcium) deficiencies that cause fibrous osteodystrophy of the spinal column. injectable calcium is also necessary in the therapy of this problem.
Nose Abrasions
One of the unfortunate consequences of captivity is injury resulting from repeated attempts to escape. Iguanas tend to push and rub their noses against the walls of their enclosures as they repeatedly pace back and forth. This constant trauma results in chronic ulceration of the nose (rostrum), whether the walls of the enclosure are made of glass or wire mesh. Most injuries may result in serious and often permanent deformities that may cause long-term problems.
Thermal Injuries
Serious burns often result when iguanas contact unprotected heat sources within their enclosures. Exposed light bulbs and heat lamps are most often responsible for these accidents. Neither of these appliances is actually necessary. If they are installed in an iguana's enclosure, they must be outfitted with a protective device to prevent burns.
Bacterial Infections
Chronic exposure to bacterial contamination from poor sanitation and hygiene is the most common cause of bacterial infections in captive iguanas. Blister disease results when an iguana is confined to a moist, filthy enclosure. Blisters characterize the disease, especially on the underside aspects of the body, that develop into seriously infected wounds. Aggressive antibiotic therapy is necessary to successfully treat affected iguanas.
Sharp Claws
Iguanas are usually quite docile and enjoy handling. You, however, may not always enjoy the activity because of the scratches inflicted by sharp claws, powered by very strong limbs. An iguana's claws should be periodically dulled by an experienced veterinary or veterinary technician. A cautery instrument or high speed grinding tool is usually employed for this task.
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