I got an iguana from some people for my brother for christmas, when we got it the tip of his tail was black. It feels kind of soft. I thought maybe it was just from a bad shed, but I dont know. it has gotten a little worse, it seems to be spreading up his tail. My brother was looking at a post somewhere online and he found a post that said he should just "break it off by twisting it" because it would just keep spreading if he didn't, and to just put syptic powder to stop the bleeding, and that if it was broken at a joint it would grow back.. I dont know about you guys but this sounds wrong to me. For one he is still trying to get the iguana used to him and I think this would just make the iguana hate him, and 2, twisting it off??? Anyone have a better idea?

Welcome to HC. I dont know much about igs but do not break its tail off!
please take it to the vet. If I know the people here they will want to know everything about your ig...how long it is, the size of its enclosure, your lights with details, what you are feeding it, ect. ect.
The more info they have the better they can help you
I never heard of an ig regenerating its tail.
The experts will post soon this is a great site to gather info from people who really know about igs
Good luck

Please please please DO NOT twist the tail and try to break it off!!! Sounds to me like this might be a case of gangrene. This ig needs to see a vet or it may continue to spread up the tail. Please read more here: Tail Loss

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Valerie

This sounds very much like a case of gangrene! DO NOT TWIST THE TAIL OFF! If gangrene is the case the diseased area of the tail will need to be SURGICALLY removed and the ig put on a course of antibiotics! If not stopped the disease will progress up the tail and kill the iguana!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

It's an extremely easy procedure and shouldn't even cost a lot. Usually it's done right in the vets office. Make sure it's a qualified herp vet who has worked with igs before. Many vets will just charge the office visit. That's how simple it can be...others may charge a small fee for the minor surgical procedure.

Here are some links for finding a vet closest to you:
Herp Vet Connection
ARAV <---click on "Members"
Herp Veterinarians

Expect to travel a little distance. Some people are lucky and have a herp vet right in town - and then there are those like me who have to travel 73 miles one-way for their vet - or even longer for some. Good luck - and PLEASE keep us updated!

EDIT: Once you start administering antibiotics - make sure you ask the vet if they carry a probiotic since the antibiotic will kill of the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut used for digestion as well as the bad cooties. You can also purchase one of these on your own - but you will need one of them. Offer it everyday while on the antibiotic and for about a week once off of it. I also use it as a monthly maintenance program for my guys.

1. Nutribac - specifically for herps (many pet stores, online)
2. Benebac - Made for birds - approved for reptiles (pet stores, online)
3. Nature Zone Essential Probiotics - specifically for reptiles (online - Reptile Supplies, Aquarium, Dog, Cat, Small Pet Supply Products Shipped Same Day - Big Apple Pet Supply )
4. Acidophilus Tablets - Human health food store

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Veronica
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Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~

Poor iguana, he definitely needed a good home. Listen to Merlin and Prismwolf. My rescue iguana recently need a complete surgical removal of what was left of her tail, and has been on antibiotics since. Please see a vet, it is gangrene. I wish you the best of luck you are catching it early, so things should go well. If you want to see some of my ig's problems, go to my name under gallery.

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Kat

That does sound very much like gangrene, and it is a very simple low stress procedure to have a portion of the tail removed and it is always better safe than sorry. Gangrene is relatively easy to manage, but fatal if not.

Dry Gangrene of Tail and Toe

See if this helps any definately see a vet

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“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ (I found it!) but ‘That’s funny…'"
- Isaac Asimov



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