Fractured Bone in Reptiles

Fractures

No matter how well you care for your pet reptile, it may break or fracture a bone. And these fractured or broken bones can occur anywhere on its body.

Symptoms and Types

Spinal injuries to the tail can often be non-threatening. But an injury located between the skull and tail will cause constipation in the reptile, and it may not able to expel uric acid salts. Conversely, if a reptile's leg bone is broken, it will favor it when moving.

Green iguanas commonly suffer pelvis injuries, leaving the reptiles paralyzed in the rear.

Diagnosis

Any broken bone or fracture in your reptile can be detected through X-rays.

Treatment

Long bone fractures may be repaired with support or through surgery. The simplest way of supporting such an injury is to tape the reptile’s fractured leg to the body or tail.

Reptiles that suffer from spinal injuries between the skull and tail must be given special care. This is accomplished by changing its environment – providing low branches and shallow water dishes.

Food is another important factor because fractures mostly occur after metabolic bone diseases. So improving the diet with vitamins and mineral supplements helps the reptile.