How to Treat an Iguana For Pinworms

Pinworms are a common problem for iguanas. They are parasitic worms that infest the intestinal tract, causing loss of appetite and lethargy. While the worms in wild iguanas will usually not cause a problem, any iguana in captivity can end up with too many pinworms building up in the body as a result of re-infestation due to the small space available to the lizard. When your iguana has pinworms, you will need to treat it to get rid of them.

Things You'll Need

  • Iguana pinworm medication
  • Iguana aquarium or cage cleaning tools
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the iguana to the vet and get a pinworm medication appropriate to your iguana's size and needs.

    • 2

      Give the medication as directed by the vet. The vet will tell you how much to give based on the iguana's weight and size, so dosage must follow the instructions of the vet.

    • 3

      Clean the stools from the cage and then disinfect the area immediately after the iguana uses the bathroom. Do not allow stools to stay in the cage because the lizard will flick his tongue out and ingest more of the pinworm eggs, preventing the medication from working.

    • 4

      Disinfect the cage every day for the duration of the treatment. Cleaning the iguana's cage or aquarium will not only ensure the pinworm eggs are gone, but will prevent recurring problems.

    • 5

      Continue the process of cleaning the cage and providing the appropriate medication until the vet tells you to stop. It can take a few weeks to a month or so before the pinworms are completely eliminated.

    • 6

      Maintain the iguana's health by providing only fresh vegetables and not allowing the iguana to eat any meat. Pinworms come from meat or stools, not from vegetables.