Iguana Parasites
Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host in order to survive. Your iguana can be affected by a variety of parasites. Here are a few of the most common.
Mites
Mites are by far the most common iguana parasites. They attach to reptiles and suck their blood. They’re very small, so they’re very hard to spot unless you’re looking closely. Mites usually prefer to infect the armpits, eyelids, and vent. They’re very hard to treat successfully. In addition to treating your iguana, you will need to treat the enclosure thoroughly. Failure to do so will lead to a reinfestation.
Ticks
Ticks are like mites in the sense that they attach to your iguana and feed off his blood. They can also transmit various diseases. Fortunately, ticks are much less common than mites. They’re also larger, so they’re easier to spot. You can find them in the same areas inhabited by mites, namely the vent, eyelids, and armpits.
The ticks will need to be manually removed from your iguana. It’s best that a vet does this. After the tick has been removed, the bite wound will need to be cleaned and treated with a topical antibiotic.
Worms
Various species of worms are also iguana parasites. Some of them include pinworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. They commonly inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Your iguana will likely experience lethargy and smelly stools. You may also notice worms visible among his stool.
In addition to deworming medication, the enclosure will also need to be disinfected. This will hopefully get rid of any eggs that have been shed. You’ll also need to clean up his stool as quickly as possible to prevent the problem from recurring during treatment.
Protozoans
Protozoans are single-celled internal parasites. Like worms, they are also found in the gastrointestinal tract. Common signs of infection include diarrhea and very smelly stool. Since different types of protozoans may be responsible for the infection, the vet will need to determine the specific type so that he can choose the proper medication.
Besides dealing with parasites, there are many more important aspects of iguana care. If you want to make sure you’re caring for your iguana properly, then download your copy of The Comprehensive Guide to Iguana Care. You certainly want your pet to live a healthy and long life. Then make sure you get your copy of the Guide to Iguana Care right now.
