Need care after hours? We’re here for you! Urgent Care now available Mondays & Fridays from 5PM – 9PM.
Need care after hours? We’re here for you! Urgent Care now available Mondays & Fridays from 5PM – 9PM.
Owning a lizard and iguana can be one of the most rewarding experiences a pet owner can have — but it also comes with a unique set of responsibilities. Reptiles are fascinating animals that require specialized knowledge, precise husbandry, and dedicated veterinary care to thrive in a home environment.
At our Sacramento hospital, our doctors and veterinary technicians have extensive training in caring for exotic species, ensuring your pet receives expert attention at every stage of life. Reptiles have complex environmental and dietary requirements that differ significantly from those of mammals, making specialized care essential.
We also provide resources and information to help you maintain your pet’s health, including access to our pet health library and educational articles.
Don't wait until you find a tick on your pet to take action. Protect them with expert prevention from Sacramento's trusted veterinary team.
Exotic animal medicine is a specialized branch of veterinary care dedicated to the unique health needs of exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, our team has extensive experience in exotic animal medicine, delivering compassionate care and exceptional medical services to a wide variety of exotic patients. We recognize that every exotic companion requires individualized treatment, and our commitment to quality veterinary care reflects that at every visit.
Nutrition-related disorders are among the most common health issues we see in lizards and iguanas at our clinic. One of the most frequently diagnosed conditions is metabolic bone disease (MBD), caused by an improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, vitamin D3 deficiency, or inadequate UVB lighting. Without proper UVB exposure, lizards and iguanas cannot synthesize the vitamin D3 needed to absorb calcium, leading to weakened bones that fracture easily. Early signs include lethargy, decreased appetite, muscle tremors, and dragging of the limbs — all of which require prompt attention from a veterinarian.
Our hospital can help you avoid these problems entirely. Contact our clinic to set up a nutritional consultation, where our team will walk you through species-appropriate diets, calcium supplementation strategies, and proper lighting requirements for your lizard and iguana. With the right guidance, most nutrition-related conditions in these animals are entirely preventable.
If you have recently welcomed a lizard and iguana into your home, scheduling an initial appointment at our hospital is one of the most important steps you can take. Exotic animal medicine is complex, and these reptiles have unique physiological needs that differ greatly from those of traditional pets. Our initial new-owner exam is designed to identify any current or potential medical problems early, so that treatment can begin before issues become serious.
During your first visit, our veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination and provide detailed guidance on:
Appropriate enclosures and habitat setup, including temperature gradients, humidity levels, and UVB lighting requirements specific to your lizard and iguana’s species
Nutritional guidance and feeding schedules tailored to whether your lizard and iguana is herbivorous, omnivorous, or insectivorous
Sanitation and hygiene practices to minimize the risk of bacterial and parasitic infections
Disease prevention and parasite screening, including warning signs to watch for between appointments
Our Sacramento hospital offers a comprehensive range of services for lizards, iguanas, and other reptiles, from routine wellness exams to advanced procedures. Exotic animal medicine for these species requires a very different approach than conventional veterinary medicine, and our team handles that complexity with care and precision.
Services at our clinic include annual wellness exams, parasite testing, dietary consultations, diagnostic imaging, and treatment for conditions such as metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, and skin disorders. When surgery becomes necessary, our hospital performs procedures customized to the anatomy of each species. If you notice any changes in your lizard and iguana’s behavior, appetite, or movement, do not wait — early treatment consistently makes a significant difference in recovery.
Our veterinary team brings together extensive experience and a shared passion for exotic animal medicine.
Together, our team is committed to providing exceptional medicine and surgery for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, lizards, and more. At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we treat every pet as part of the family.
At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, a dedicated team member is assigned to monitoring your pet throughout each anesthetic procedure, tracking heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and oxygen levels in real time via our state-of-the-art patient monitoring systems.
Whether your furry friend is undergoing routine surgeries or advanced orthopedic procedures, attentive, real-time oversight is essential — and it is something we take seriously at every step.
At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we know that trust is the foundation of every successful partnership between pet parents and their veterinary team. Serving Sacramento, CA, our experienced team is dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care that puts your furry friend’s health and safety first. We believe that open communication, compassionate care, and a commitment to excellence are essential in building lasting relationships with Sacramento pet families.
Our advanced medical technology and modern surgical suites support a wide range of surgical procedures — from routine surgery and mass removal surgery to advanced orthopedic procedures — all performed with meticulous attention to detail and the latest techniques in veterinary medicine. Every case begins with a thorough pre-anesthetic examination and individualized anesthetic planning to ensure the safest possible outcome for your pet.
We understand that the word “anesthesia” can be concerning for many pet parents. That is why our experienced team takes the time to explain every step of the anesthetic process, including patient monitoring and pain management strategies, so you feel fully informed and confident whether your pet requires local anesthesia or general anesthesia. To learn more about our team, we invite you to visit our about page.
Your pet’s health is our expertise, which is why local news outlets like Fox40 News and Good Day Sacramento regularly invite Dr. Sam Varon to share essential pet care information, from emerging health concerns to answering everyday pet questions. When you choose Broadway Veterinary Hospital, you’re choosing care backed by expertise that Sacramento trusts.
At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care to every client and their pet. With a comprehensive range of services available under one roof — from routine wellness visits to advanced surgical procedures — our hospital is equipped to meet all your pet’s healthcare needs. When you choose our clinic, your pet receives compassionate, individualized attention from a dedicated team committed to their long-term health and happiness.
Whether your lizard and iguana is due for a routine checkup, needs a nutritional consultation, or requires urgent treatment, our Sacramento hospital is here to help. Our team treats each lizard and iguana — as well as rabbits, birds, and other companion animals — with the same level of attention and expertise we extend to every pet in our care. Contact our clinic today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward long-term health and wellness for your lizard and iguana.
Don’t wait any longer to forge a lifelong relationship with your friendly veterinarian.
Metabolic bone disease is one of the most frequently diagnosed conditions in captive lizards and iguanas. It develops when these reptiles receive insufficient calcium, vitamin D3, or UVB light exposure. Other common issues include respiratory infections, parasites, and skin problems. Many of these conditions are preventable with proper husbandry and regular veterinary checkups at a clinic experienced in exotic animal medicine.
Annual wellness exams are recommended for most healthy lizards and iguanas. However, new pet owners should schedule an initial appointment shortly after bringing their animal home. Because reptiles often hide signs of illness until a condition is advanced, routine checkups allow your veterinarian to catch potential problems early, when treatment is most effective and recovery outcomes are significantly better.
Iguanas are herbivores that require a calcium-rich diet with a proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of approximately 2:1. A variety of leafy greens, vegetables, and appropriate calcium supplementation helps prevent metabolic bone disease. Lettuce-heavy diets alone are insufficient and can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies. A veterinarian experienced in exotic animal medicine can provide species-specific feeding recommendations tailored to your pet’s age and health status.
Yes. Lizards and iguanas require access to UVB lighting to synthesize vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Without proper UVB exposure, even a nutritionally balanced diet may not fully protect these reptiles from metabolic bone disease. A full-spectrum UVB bulb placed above the enclosure, combined with appropriate heat sources, helps replicate the natural environment these animals need to stay healthy.
Yes. When medically necessary, lizards and iguanas can undergo surgical procedures at a hospital equipped for exotic animal care. Surgery for reptiles requires specialized knowledge of their unique anatomy and physiology, as well as appropriate anesthetic protocols for each species. Our team is experienced in performing a range of procedures for exotic animals, and we take every precaution to ensure a safe, low-stress environment throughout the process.
Our fully equipped veterinary hospital brings together advanced medical technology and skilled veterinary expertise to handle all your pet’s healthcare needs.
Whether it’s preventive care or complex procedures, we’re here to provide exceptional treatment at every stage of your pet’s life.
