Tympanum

Question
my iguana recently got out and cats got ahold of her and broke her tail and there is a hole in her tympanum..

What will happen with that hole in her tympanum??

Answer
Kara,

The typanum is the external eardrum and is very thin and easily piercable. It sounds to me like that typanum was punctured during the scuffle and possibly if the cat used its claws on the iguana. I suspect the iguana's hearing will now be impaired due to the injury to the typanum and that the tail needs to be treated with antibiotics and betadine flush to prevent infection. I would consult a veterinarian to discover your options for possibly repairing the tympanum, however, if this is possible at all, it will likely be very expensive. You do need to keep in mind that the iguana's cranial cavity can now be open to invasive infection, so it would be worth consulting a veterinarian if for no other reason.

Thank You and please follow up with any further questions.

Sara J Gwerder
President
Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary
Shreveport, LA
www.RaptorRescue.org

Good Diet + UVB Radiation + Proper Temperatures + Set Daily Schedule = Healthy + Happy Reptile