Distal Leg Necrosis in a Green Iguana, Iguana iguana
J Herpe Med Surg 10[1]:48-50 Spring'00 Case Report 8 Refs

HISTORY: A 10-year-old, 3.63 kg (8.0 lb) male green iguana, Iguana iguana, was evaluated by a referring veterinarian for signs of lethargy and decreased appetite of one month duration. The iguana subsequently developed lameness and discoloration of the left hind leg. The affected leg was discolored black, with a sharp line of demarcation between healthy and affected tissue at the level of mid-femur. The distal leg was dry, stiff, malodorous, and had fused joints. The leg was diagnosed as necrotic and amputation was recommended. The iguana was referred for further evaluation. DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis was hypertrophic osteopathy and avascular necrosis of the left hind leg. Treatment would have begun with amputation of the necrotic limb. However, the lizard was on public display and the owner did not want to exhibit a disfigured animal, therefore the owner chose euthanasia. On necropsy, a 7 cm (2.75 in) diameter, thick-walled, hollow abscess filled with caseous material was attached to the wall of the colon. A second, similar abscess measuring 5 cm (1.96 in) in diameter was attached to the wall of the urinary bladder. Both abscesses were extramural. Histologic evaluation of the abscesses was not performed, but examination of impression smears revealed large numbers of toxic heterophils and azurophils, multiple colonies of gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, and amorphous debris. These findings were consistent with infectious abscesses. The elevated WBC, heterophilia and azurophilia were likely a result of these abscesses. It is possible that a thromboembolic event related to the abscesses and septicemia resulted in avascular necrosis of the hind leg, as there was no history of trauma.