Iguana

Question
QUESTION: 3 days ago I got an iguana 4 foot long male when I got him he was in a very small box curled up when I took him out and put him in his cage I noticed he wasn't really using his back leg he could use it a little but not much I thought it was just asleep or something from being in the small box then 2 days later I noticed his back foot had mark on it from dragging it i don't know how long it's been like this because I can't get ahold of the owner before me. He is healthy active and always had natural sun light and cal powder so Im pretty sure that's not the problem he eats very good and I can't find a vet close by that will help me. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Joseph,
If the natural sunshine was through glass, (as in a window) then the iguana really hasn't had much, if any, natural sunshine.  Even though  regular window screening the sun's uvb is blocked by more than 50%. Glass blocks the uvb.
With him having a mark on his foot, chances are he had a broken leg or some other injury in the past.  The only way to know for sure is to have an xray done.  Any vet should be able to do an x ray and tell if a bone was broken or if there is some other problem with bones, etc.
Watching how he gets around may give an indication of how long the problem may have been there.  If he has adjusted to favoring the leg, then chances are it is an old injury.  Again, the only real way to know is an x ray which any vet should be able to do.  If they are unsure about holding the ig, I suggest that you hold the ig for the xray.
Depending on how much calcium the iguana has been receiving, problems can arise from too much calcium.  Actually, too much is worse than not enough.  With an adult male, once or twice a week(if that) is fine.  Just a very light dusting of a plain calcium..no vitamin D, no phosphorus.  With an adult female,  if she is a regular egg producer, then 2-3 times a week is sometimes recommended.  When a good, varied diet of fresh greens is fed, in most cases there isn't a need for supplements.  Collards, mustard and turnip greens, dandelion greens, arugula, etc are all part of the needed daily diet.

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QUESTION: Ok my iguana had Florida sunshine every day of his life out side no screening no glass until 3 days ago and he was feed a variety of foods along with cal powder on his door every few days. The mark on his door is not really bad but it's getting worse that's why I think it just happens and my vet got mad when I told them I needed an crayon they said they don't know anything about reptiles their for they can't help me I am trying to get ahold of a old vet my friend told me about but have no luck.

Answer
Hi Joseph,
Good on the unfiltered sunshine.  Since you think the mark on his foot is getting worse, it is even more important to get him to a vet.  For now, you can apply some NEOSPORIN or other antibiotic ointment to the area.  I'm sorry to hear that the vet you contacted really felt they could not help you,  One would think that any vet would have the ability to take and look at an x ray..and see a broken bone or other problem.  Sad that the vet isn't even willing to consult with a vet that does reptiles.  Here are a few links that you can check out to find a vet in your area that does see reptiles. I'm sorry I can't offer you more ideas but as I said, without an x ray it is impossible to know what is going on.  It can be anything from a sprain to a break.. In the meantime it is best to restrict his climbing.
http://www.arav.org/find-a-vet/#NorthCarolina ... ..will take you right to the NC vets....

http://www.arav.org/find-a-vet/  is the main site for the link above

http://www.herpvetconnection.com


http://www.anapsid.org/vets/