DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THYROID ADENOMA-INDUCED HYPERTHYROIDISM IN A GREEN IGUANA (IGUANA IGUANA)

Abstract An adult female green iguana (Iguana iguana) presented with polyphagia, loss of the dorsal spines, hyperactivity, increased aggression, tachycardia, and a bilobate mass palpable anterior to the thoracic inlet. Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was based on a total T4 (30.0 nmol/L) elevated above that of clinically healthy iguanas (3.81 ± 0.84 nmol/L), and histopathology confirmed a functional thyroid adenoma. Surgical thyroidectomy safely returned the lizard to a euthyroid state.