Another method is to grasp the tick s body with a forceps, as close to its head as possible, and gently pull until it lets go. Do not pull abruptly or forcefully, because the body will likely break off from the head, killing the tick but leaving the mouthparts embedded in your iguana s skin. This can lead to infection. Once the tick has been removed, clean the bite wound with treat it with antibiotic ointment. Check your iguana s enclosure thoroughly for any other ticks, and change the substrate.
Ticks aren t nearly as common or problematic as their cousins - mites.
Mites - Like ticks, these arachnids attach to a host and suck blood. They are much smaller, however, and are usually found in large numbers on your iguana and in its enclosure. Mites are much more active than ticks, and appear to be tiny, moving specks. If you ve got mites, you ve got problems. You ve got to treat your iguana, and you ve got to aggressively treat its enclosure.