  In reptiles, especially during their early stage of life when reared under
captive conditions, nutritional deficiencies are the most common problems
reported in them affecting the spinal cord and the musculoskeletal system. More
often green iguanas and snakes are very much vulnerable to it. Case
description: A three and a half months old green iguana (Iguana iguana) was
brought to the Avian and Exotic Pet Unit, Madras Veterinary College with the
history of dragging hind limbs and not passed faeces for the past four days.
Findings, treatment and outcome: On examination of hind limbs, it was found
that perching reflex was absent and the abdomen was distended. It was
tentatively diagnosed for hind limb paralysis but the radiological examination
revealed that the iguana was suffering from Sacro-coccygeal compression. The
condition could have been aggravated due to poor nutritional management also.
In order to reduce the pain, the iguana was treated with Meloxicam orally @ 0.1
mg/kg for a week. In addition, it was successfully treated orally with
multivitamin syrup and calcium syrup simultaneously for a month. The iguana was
subjected to infrared therapy of 3 minutes for a period of one week. The
reptile showed complete recovery without dragging its hind limb after 2 months.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that prompt intervention and dietary
management may be necessary for musculo-skeletal disorders in Iguana. .
