Before the vets office pt 1 aka pro-active is better than reactive: ***DISCLAIMER: IM NOT A VETERINARIAN (THIS STUFF MAKES SENSE): Please feel free to add or opine... We may bring animals into our homes and think all is well until CRASH!!!!! Here is a collection of advice from my veterinarian over the years and from what Ive pre-acquisition of an animal. (I read like crazy and ask a lot of repetitive questions). ****1 = Responsibility of care does not start in the veterinarian’s office. LIZARDS: •keep these wild guys in your heart and not your home: -Horned Lizards-captivity is a very bad place for them. Heating, phototropic periods, the right ants, and on and on anon. -Leopard lizards-captivity is hard on these guys as it is for many wild-caught collard lizards. Generally to watch: Behavioral changes are often the first subtle signs of distress noticeable: •Does the reptile respond differently to the owner’s presence or approach? •Can the reptile stand high and strongly on all four limbs. Are the body and limb muscles well rounded and firm? Is there excessive folding or creasing of skin? What is the reptile’s reaction when you approach it?… Do they attempt to run away when you attempt to catch them? Defensive posturing? •Skin shedding? How often and is it normal-does it build up-any strangulated toes? •Particular attention needs to be paid to the nature of floor surface/substrate. -What climbing and hiding facilities are provided? -What is the floor type, design, chemical composition, design -Is there a temperature gradient in the cage? A basking spot? -Frequency of cleaning and chemicals used in cleaning the cage? -What is the water source and quality of water? What type of water container is used? Are there bathing facilities? What is the size and how often is it used? •Swollen foot/feet and or joint or joints •Limping or lack of full weight bearing on one limb EXAMINING: (Yes I do this with both the gila monster and the beaded lizard) • Begin by examining the head, eyes, ears and nares (pay particular attention to the nares (nostrils) as dried discharge may occlude on or both this is the equivalent of a “runny” nose). The head should be symmetrical. •Examine the skin creases around the eyes ventral neck and labial pits as this is often a location to detect mites. Avoid handling snakes and lizards if the animal is in ecdysis. •Assess the hydration status. Signs of dehydration are: decreased turgor skin tents when pulled from the animal; skin is standing in multiple folds; abnormal ecdysis; spectacle is shrunken and opaque; sunken eyes. •Note any sour or abnormal odors. Is there excessive mucous or are cheesy plaques or petechiae present? Examine the mouth margins carefully for any sign of necrosis or ulceration. •Carefully palpate the entire body, beginning at the neck and working down the body. Gently palpate the ventral cavity between the ribs. Feel for organs and any firm masses or fluid accumulation. Take care if the animal has been fed recently that you do not place pressure as it is passing through the intestine. An animal that has eaten recently may regurgitate if the stress of handling is too great. •Examine the cloaca and vent for swellings, encrustations or soiling (indicative of loose droppings). If the tail is gently flexed dorsally, the vent will open slightly and allow inspection. •Most will pass feces that is formed. Urates are often passed at the same time. Normally they precede the stool. Urates are normally chalky paste that is pure white to yellow in color. Helodermatids may also pass a small amount of clear liquid urine. •Examine the skin. Look for any missing scales, claws or scars. Assess any lumps or swellings present. •Pull out each limb individually. Palpate the bones from shoulder or hip to distal end of each digit, paying particular attention to the joints. Examine each joint for full range of motion or any swelling. A weak limb may be indicative of abdominal tumors, fractures or neurological disease. Unilateral lameness is more common than bilateral. Assess the length of the claws. Overgrown claws may be associated with poor substrate. Inspect the plantar aspect of each foot. •This whole procedure should take less time to perform than it takes to read. Once the examination is finished immediately place the reptile back into its cage and assess its tolerance of the procedure. Most reptiles will return to normal behavior. If the reptile looks obviously stressed or is breathing heavily, it is safe to assume it is ill. Woodland Park Zoo even brushes their monsters teeth... https://youtube/watch?v=DtHDKa8G5cE
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 02:27:03 +0000