EMERGENCY CARE and HEALTH
ON THE SUBJECT OF ZOONOSIS
A word on salmonella.....
Re:Kissing Reptiles? - 2008/07/14 17:54 Thanks for the info? "I guess since the foster mother of that specific iguana had made it clear on how friendly this specific iguana was and kissed it about 20 times, I couldn't help myself. She did warn me that it wasn't the best thing to do, health-wise but said she's never had a problem with the ones she has. I figured since I've had salmonella several times in the past (approximately 8 times and counting and NONE were reptile related humorously enough), I'd risk it for the girl. But it's funny. You can contract salmonella from numerous ways, including just getting a small scratch or bite wound to eating under-cooked meat, birds, other reptiles, fish, and just about anything that isn't 100% cleaned and wiped on a counter top. My point is that zoonosis is contractable by just about anything and being paranoid isn't going to prevent catching it. Just have to have common sense about it basically.
Now if only I had common sense about my mother's cooking at the time..." Wakako Nishimura
Salmonella:
http://www.reptileexpert.co.uk/TheRiskCatchingZoonoticDiseasesReptile.html
Salmonella Incidence Report
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptiles/a/reptsalmonella.htm
http://www.reptileexpert.co.uk/TheRiskCatchingZoonoticDiseasesReptile.html
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/articles/animals/
COMMON AILMENTS TO REPTILES
STRESS! STRESS!! STRESS!!!!
Many lizards are lost due to stress. Particularly young lizards are prone to experiencing this. Bringing home lizards.
Don't underestimate the effects of stress. Watch carefully over newly acquired reptiles. Do your set up prior to placing the reptile in the enclosure. Particularly important to hatchlings who are easily startled. During the first few days only disturb them to change water and to feed. A hatchling may not eat for a couple of days when first arriving in your home. I use an electrolite product in their water bowls which helps increase appetite. If using a misting bottle I place some electrolize in here as well.
It can be a very stressful situation for a new owner as well. Your time is limited to deal with the issue, I will go 3 days maximum, then I will try feeding a watered down version of baby food with an eye dropper by placing some on the end of their snouts.
EYE ISSUES
Most are generally easily dealt with, a number of products readily available. Two common problems may be that it has scratched its eye or have a piece of substate in it. Turtle eye drops, contact rinsing solution, sterilized water, flush the eye 3 to 4 times a day. If you are not seeing improvement within a 24 to 36 hour period, you should think of further steps to be taken.
A third issue could be the type of UVB you are using. Compact bulbs, which I do use, have been known to cause problems and blindness. I haven't seen any issues in the 3 years I have been using them. I purchase Exo Terra. **UPDATE: WATER DRAGON / UVB ISSUE
Crested Gecko Eye Melanoma - Gecko Resource Forums
http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-health/reptile-cloudy-eyes.aspx
PARASITES
DOING YOUR OWN FECAL TESTING http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Fecaltest.html
COCCIDIA AND INTERNAL PARASITES:
Recognizing the symptoms of this is imperative. It starts out slow. You may notice that your lizard doesn't seem to be eating quite as much. Progresses to a point they may refuse an entire meal or two......then eat......miss another meal...you are noticing that the amount he eats is less and less. He is basking less or a little further away from the light. He is looking and acting DEPRESSED.
Yellow Fungus - Symptoms & Possible Treatments
Coccidia FAQIntestinal Parasites/Worms May Prove Beneficial
Diagnostic Tests and Definitions
http://www.reptilerooms.com/index.php?categoryid=23&p142_id=150&p142_dis=3&p142_template=Simple
PINWORMS: http://www.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2006/Enterobius/Enterobius%20vermicularis.htm
REPTILE MITES
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=15&A=1278&S=4
PROLAPSES
http://www.anapsid.org/prolapse.html
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=33740
http://forum.kingsnake.com/gecko/messages/44855.htm
http://www.adcham.com/html/veterinary/vet-hemipenal-pare.html
http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-health/lizard-health/lizard-prolapse.aspx
http://www.michvma.org/documents/MVC%20Proceedings202009/Mehler,%20Final%20reptile%20surgery.pdf
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
http://www.anapsid.org/rti.html
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=13&A=1359&S=0
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/caring_for_wildlife/carers_kit/reptiles/diseases/?format=print
WARNING: FIREFLIES EXTREMELY TOXIC
Click here: Fireflies: Toxic to Amphibians, Bearded Dragons, Lizards, Birds
ABSCESSES
http://www.anapsid.org/abscess.html
BRUMATION/PHOTOPERIOD http://www.repvet.co.za/herp_photoperiod_hibernation_brumation.php
Diagnostic Tests and Definitions
Turtle and Tort
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/emergencies.htm
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/articles.html
http://www.chelydra.org/snapping_turtle_health_checkup.html#next
FROG AND TOAD COMMON ILLNESSES
Frog (and other amphibian) illnesses and diseases
Newletter Article 17 - Diseases of Cultured Frogs
African Clawed Frog Disease and Injury
The Frog Doctor
Xenopus Care - Health & Disese
RED EYED TREE FROGS: http://www.reptiles-info.co.uk/frog-healthcare.html
http://www.petmd.com/reptile/topiccenter
http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-health/default.aspx
http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/reptiles/lizard_diseases.html
http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/reptiles/snake_diseases_general.html
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/182421.htm
http://www.anapsid.org/mainhealth.html
***Search by symptoms: http://www.petmd.com/reptile/conditions