I recently got a baby iguana that's about 3-4 months old. I noticed today
he has a broken toe (not nail but half the toe). It's barely hanging by a small
piece of skin. Will it grow back? Should I do anything?

Welcome Lancie,

Dropped tails and broken nails grow back but toes don't. You need to keep it clean and watch for infection. Give it Providine-iodine 10% (Betadine) baths--add enough to the bath water to make a light tea color. To clean it in between use diluted Providin-iodine 10% (again tea color) to clean it. Dry it with a clean cloth and then use an antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) on it. Watch for signs of infection such as swelling and tenderness. Keep his habitat extra clean. Do you know how it happened. Keep us posted.

__________________
Jan. 25, 1963 - Sept. 10, 2006 (R.I.P)

Are you sure its completely broken? They can get their toes in some unusual positions.
If the bone is completely broken thru and the toe truly is just hanging on by a flap of skin, meaning part of the skin is cut and its only held on by a small shred, then the toe should probably be removed. Your vet is the only one who can really make this determination.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

How it happened? Not sure... but he was accidently "startled" a few hours
before and ran back n forth in his cage very quickly. So I'm thinking maybe he some how broke it then. I'm not a "vet"...lol....but it's definately broken and daggling by a tiny piece of skin. Also the part daggling is turning a dark color.
Thanks for your advice.
So a providine-iodine bath & Neosporin is what we'll try!

Toe needs to be removed, preferably by a vet.

More importantly, toes should not break so easily, especially in young iguanas.

Please check your UVB lamps to make sure they are emitting good, strong UVB and are at the proper distance from the reptile. Also, make sure the diet is correct, high-calcium, low-phosphorous. These two things can contribute to brittle bones, an early stage of Metabolic Bone Disease.

__________________
Regards,
Dominick
_____________________________________________
"Do you watch too much television? Did you do so as a toddler? Evidence tonight that it could be the cause of learning disorders, like attention deficit and hyperact-Ooooh, a kitty!" - Keith Olbermann

also, if you have a screen or mesh cage and you have very fine mesh, then toes can be easily caught and nails broken off.

Dom or mark can tell ya exactly what the minimum size mesh is. i'm thinkin 3/4 in or somethin like that. i cant remember what I used for mine.

__________________
-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

Thank you all for your advice and info!