IMPORTANT: These pages on health are meant to be general guides, not hard and fast rules. They were not written by vets and are NO SUBSTITUTE for veterinary care. If you suspect something is wrong with your iguana, PLEASE see a qualified veterinarian!

Spaying

Whether or not to spay your female iguana can be a tough decision. Some vets recommend all female igs should be spayed if they become gravid, because female igs are notorious for having difficulty laying eggs in captivity. This is true in a way because many of the igs that vets see are not cared for properly before gravidity, and their overall health (or lack thereof) causes the egg laying problems. If your iguana is properly cared for, has a good diet and plenty of UVB, gets plenty of exercise and has access to a nesting box, then you may want to hold off on a spay.

If your ig does have trouble with egg laying, or if poor health affects their ability to lay, then you will probably want to go for a spay. For major surgery like this, it is imperative that you have a competent reptile vet that you are comfortable with. Don't be afraid to look around a bit to find a good vet.

Most vets prefer to do a spay while the female is gravid. This makes it much easier for them to remove all of the reproductive organs. If even a small amount of reproductive tissue is missed, then eggs can still form at a later date and cause even more problems.

As with any surgery that requires anesthesia, a spay can be risky for your iguana, especially if they are in poor health. Be sure to discuss pros and cons of surgery completely with your vet before hand, and be prepared for the post surgical care afterwards.

As with all healing reptiles, it is important to keep them warm, hydrated, and stress free during their recovery time. Don't forget to go back to the vet for post surgical followups!