EMERGENCY CARE and HEALTH

DISCLAIMER & PHILOSOPHY

I am not a vet.  I don't even consider myself very knowledgable about reptile health issues.  A VET VISIT IS YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION REGARDING ALL HEALTH RELATED ISSUES.  These sections are written because there are many of us out there who's small cities and towns don't have access to a reptile vet, both across Canada and the US. 

There are many reasons why a vet can't be reached or possibly not afforded.   Life changes direction on us often.  Jobs are lost, none found.  Kids need braces.   No transportation.  New debts.  Old debts.  Unexpected expenses.   Think this scenario ~ single mother, 2 kids, job = Timmy Horton's, buys Bearded Dragon for present, or someone else buys the Bearded Dragon for her daughter.  Beardie not doing well.  Vet = $100 to $200.  Bottom line = Beardie dies.  You can write that scenario 5,000 ways.  The end result is the same. 

Honestly, there have been times in my life when the dog had peanut butter sandwiches...same as we did.    We loved that old dog hard, for 16 years. Do you really believe that we loved that dog any less than the guy who spent $5,000 on his?   What it meant was that we didn't have the same resources available.

In some areas, in our society, pets are plentiful, cash is not.  KIDS NEED ANIMALS IN THEIR LIVES.  You and I know that.  These are the pet owners that need the most support and education we can provide.  It might not be right.  But it is reality.


Most vet visits for reptiles are husbandry related and can be avoided with the proper care. 
The earlier that you, the caregiver, can recognize symptoms and begin a treatment plan, the more successful you will be, using simpler and more available techniques, with less expense.  Don't let a minor cough turn into (rightttt......like I can spell pheunmonia)  but you get the drift.  The more resources you can access: ie.  the God's in the forums with decades of experience.  Web sites with phenomenal information at your fingertips.  The healthier you can maintain your lizard.  And I am here to give you the experiences I have had/or am having as a starting point for your research, and any directions I have located.  You will find my own personal experiences and trials at the bottom of the page.  I feel it is important to share the failures as well as the successes.

REPTILE EMERGENCY KIT  
Extremely thorough list for all reptiles.

DIET AND NUTRITION  CHARTS
Omnivores, herbivores, torts, insectivores ~ the best of the diet information I have located. 

SAFE PLANTS  
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=9&S=4&SourceID=6

http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/PLANT.HTM#index

http://www.anapsid.org/pdf/plantlists.txt

http://www.flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp

GUIDE OF TOXIC PLANTS
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/PLANT.HTM#index

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

 

 

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. 

METABOLIC BONE DISEASE 
Click here: Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in Reptiles 

UVB
THE ANSWERS TO ALL THE QUESTIONS

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. 

Treating Highly Resistant Coccidia
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%20Proceedings%202009/Mehler,%20Final%20reptile%20surgery.pdf
RECTAL PROLAPSE ~ SNAKE  DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

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

SUBSTRATES:  http://www.reptilesdownunder.com/reptile/reptilesAsPets/enclosure/substrate/
http://www.anapsid.org/substrates2.html
http://www.hagen.com/usa/reptiles/info_sheet.cfm?CAT=31&INFO=32

 CRYPTO (cryptosporidiosis)  http://inny.ipbfree.com/index.php?showtopic=3350&st=0&#entry4332

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

THE FOLLOWING SITES ARE THE BOMB FOR ALL HEALTH RELATED, THE MERCK IS ALL INCLUSIVE.  OTHER SITES MAY HAVE INFORMATION WRITTEN AT LEVELS MORE ATTUNED TO LAYMAN AND ARE EXCELLENT SOURCES OF INFORMATION AS WELL.

http://www.justanswer.com/veterinary?r=ppc|ga|1|Pets|Veterinarian&JPKW=ask%20a%20vet%20a%20question&JPDC=S&JPST=&JPAD=2057757483&JPAF=txt&JPCD=20090326-2&JPRC=1&JPOP=NewHL&gclid=CMGN_7PK3ZkCFQQRswodNy-0Vw

Above link is to a pay site that asks vets for answer.  The current fee is $9.00 per question.  Make your enquiry detailed, including:  all syptoms, all husbandry, all history of the animal.

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

***Search by symptoms:       http://www.petmd.com/reptile/conditions

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/182421.htm

http://www.anapsid.org/mainhealth.html        

An excellent resource for pet health: 
Click here: Exotic Pets - Animals/Pets - AllExperts.com

Another discovery:  birds and reptiles, case studies
http://www.seavs.com/

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=H&S=4

WORKING WITH HERBAL REMEDIES

 
NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
 

ME AND
CHAMOMILE TEA


PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

DEHYDRATION AND STARVATION ~ STAR AGAMAS

 

SNOUT DAMAGE AND MOUTH ROT IN WATER DRAGONS

 



My red eyed tree frog woes.



Horned Mountain Dragons ~ 3 Failures

B&E, the Water Dragon hits a bump on the road.

Baby Red Ear Not Eating or Swimming

Picture

Saying Goodbye to the Brown Basilisks