What do i do if my iguana broke it's tail, but the tail didn't come off.?

Question

the iguanas tail is bent, the scales broke open, and i can't afford a vet. is there a good way to get the tail to come off?

Answer 1

If it's too close to the body, i'd clean up the wound and leave it alone and see. A broken tail at the base can make an iguana bleed a lot.

If it's close to the tip and about to fall off, i'd just pull it out to finish it. If it's not about to fall out, just a few scales open, I'd leave it alone. Sometimes they heal, but they will grow different than the rest of the tail.

Answer 2

I'm sorry. Your just another irresponsible pet owner. If you don't have money for the the vet, you don't have money for the pet.

This type of injury is VERY painful for an Iguana. How about if somebody broke your a$$? NO! THE TAIL DOES NOT GROW BACK LIKE SOME TWITS THINK. AND DON'T BREAK IT OFF LIKE SOME OTHER TWITS TOLD YOU. You also risk setting this poor animal up for an opportunistic infection and tissue necrosis which will progress up the tail and require injectible antibiotics to cure. That is if you begin to care about saving it's life at that point...but by that time it will cost you more because you waited!!!

Antibiotic ointments are for small wounds not open broken tail fractures you knuckleheads! They will not treat deep tissue infections. Reptiles can be in severe pain, but they can't yelp like a dog or squeal like a pig. They also mask pain symptoms as a survival mechanism so as to avoid predators in the wild, as signs of pain and illness are seen by predators as a sign of weakness. This iggy is no doubt suffering while you ask a bunch of ya-hoos on Yahoo how to get out cheap.

You should contact a responsible and knowledgeable reptile keeper or rescue group and surrender the animal to the appropriate home before you kill it. Really...if the ASPCA animal enforcement had your address you would likely be arrested and have your animal seized for negligence and animal cruelty. I would urge Yahoo answers to cooperate with authorities.

Answer 3

I had this happen to my first iguana when I rescued him. The last 2 inches or so got dried up from being too cold. Then it started to break off. When it was almost completely broke off (like an extremely loose tooth, I have to give you an analogy so people won't freak out) I just "ripped" for (lack of a better word) the dead part off, sterilized with peroxide, put alum (blood clotting agent found in the spice isle, we used in in beauty school, it works) on it to prevent severe bleeding and bandaged (with a sterile gauze pad and the tape made for the gauze) it. He was fine, it grew back almost all the way, no problem.

You could also sterilize the wound with peroxide (not alcohol, that stings) bandage it the same way I mentioned before and see if it will heal.

Or you could sterilize the wound with peroxide daily and observe the healing process. I would recommend this process first before you do anything else, since you don't have a reptile vet or money for one.

Write us back and let us know your decision as well how your iguanas doing.

P.S. Find a good reptile vet in the meantime!

Answer 4

Keep it as clean as possible, and put an antibacterial on it. It will evenually fall off, but you really need to take him to the vet as soon as you can. I rescued one that had a really bad broken tail and it cost $55 for the office vist and $25 to amputate the tail, and you may be given antibiotics so I'd say your looking about $100 maybe alittle more since vets variey. Good luck.

Here is some info if you didn't know it already.

They should be feed:

45% leafy greens such as escarole, dandelions, endive, mustard, and collards, NO lettuces or spinach! They aren't good for him.
45% hard mixed veggies such as an orange flesh squash the harder the better(acorn,pumpkin,butternut... fresh green beans, fresh peas, parsnip, and green bell peppers, NO broccoli or cauliflower, or avocado!
10% fruit such as figs, papaya, mango, pear, and berries. NO bananas, only very rarely as a treat.
NO ANIMAL PROTEIN such as bugs, meat, eggs, or cheese!

Cage size:

Minimum length (side to side): 2-3 x
Minimum depth (front to back): 1.5-2 x
Minimum height: 1.5-2 x


Temperature:

They need a basking area of 95-100 and normal temps of 75-85. NO heat rocks!

Lights:

They need a 5.0 UV light.

Hydration:

They should also get baths everyday or so. And should have a water bowl in their cage.

Vet:

You should take Your Iguana for regular vet checkups to make sure it is in good health. Reptiles can have internal parasites that can harm them so you should make sure the vet checks that.

Here are some good sites, the first one was recomended by my vet.

http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html
www.greenigsociety.org
www.triciaswaterdragon.com/igcare.htm
http://www.baskingspot.com/iguanas/igbook/
http://www.reptilecare.com/IgCare.htm

Answer 5

I have seen many partial tail loss from many different lizards, DON'T WORRY ! If the break is not severe, the tail will heal and possibly will start to grow a second tail where the break was. It can be annoying for the lizard but sure creates a stir with the people that are into novelty animals.

Answer 6

I wonder if you bothered to read any of the good information past this quote of the previous answer.

" I'm sorry. Your just another irresponsible pet owner. If you don't have money for the the vet, you don't have money for the pet."

It really is good information but I doubt you read it after the morons slam on you. fireside if you are going to bother answering someone with good advice like you did don't start it with a sentence that will make him skip past you.

mellissa it really is the best info provided and pretty much should be followed but I am sorry you had to take the slam before the good info.

Answer 7

the tail doesnt come off...if you cant afford a vet try and keep the wound clean.

Answer 8

throw it away.