Impaction in iguanas occurs when the intestine becomes blocked with indigestible material. This conditions needs to be addressed quickly as it’s very serious. Your lizard will die if not treated promptly. So, what exactly causes it?
Cause
Iguanas become impacted when they eat something that its system can’t digest. Since they commonly flick their tongues to gather information, they can sometimes ingest something accidentally. This tongue-flicking behavior makes it dangerous to use certain substrates for iguanas. They can also ingest small objects, so you shouldn’t leave them lying around.
Symptoms
If your iguana is impacted, he may display some of the same signs as if he were constipated. You will notice that he stops passing stool on a regular basis. If he does have a bowel movement, he will likely strain during the process. Any feces that he does pass will be small and narrow.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that your iguana is suffering from impaction, you need to take him to a vet immediately. He can tell if your iguana is indeed impacted by taking an x-ray. In some cases, the vet can just do a physical exam and tell that your iguana is suffering from this condition.
Treatment
Surgery is the only treatment option. All surgery has risks due to using anesthesia in reptiles. However, without the surgery, your iguana will likely die.
Prevention
You always need to monitor your iguana whenever he’s out of his enclosure. Curiosity may get the best of him and he may try to eat any small object he comes across. In the enclosure, you should avoid using fine or particulate substrates. If you use carpeting in your iguana’s habitat, make sure that it doesn’t have any loose threads.
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