Health Care for Reptiles & Amphibians

Looking after the health of your reptiles and amphibians is essential if they are going to live happy lives and allow you to get the most out of exotic pet keeping. One of the best ways to make sure that your pets stay healthy is to make it your business to find out as much as you can about the sorts of illnesses they may suffer from and the likely health problems they could encounter.

Specific Illnesses

Some diseases or conditions affect a wide range of animal types, while others may be specific to a particular type or group. Since many of the ailments that are likely to affect these sorts of pets are likely to be unfamiliar to the new keeper of exotic pets, the first step is to get yourself well acquainted with the main illnesses that tend to bother your particular animal.

There are several ways to do this – online, from a good reference book, talking to fellow keepers or your vet – but however you do it, make sure you learn the main symptoms and causes and feel confident that you would be able to recognise the signs if you see them.

Many reptiles and amphibians are prone to suffer from particular health problems – which often depends on the species. Viral papilloma, for example – an infectious warty growth – is a problem for Lacertid lizards, while necrotic stomatitis (“mouth rot”) tends to affect reptiles such as tortoises and snakes. Getting into the habit of checking your animals for likely infections on a regular basis – once you know what you’re looking for – can be a vital part of keeping them in good health.

Common Health Problems In Reptiles And Amphibians

Vitamins A and D3 are particularly important for reptiles.

Swollen eyes are often the first sign of a lack of vitamin A, which if left untreated can lead to serious kidney damage. Fortunately, if you spot it early and get it treated with injections from your vet soon enough – and perhaps administer a few drops of vitamin A liquid by mouth yourself – affected animals can make a full recovery.

Vitamin D3 plays an important part in maintaining the balance of calcium and phosphorus; a lack of this vitamin can lead to soft shells in tortoises and terrapins, weak bones and poorly developed limbs. Dusting the food with a good vitamin supplement is a good preventative measure – but don’t overdo it. Too much of any vitamin can often have effects that are worse than too little!

Parasites

There’s no shortage of unwelcome guests waiting to make a nuisance of themselves at your pet’s expense. Keep an eye out for ticks on the body of your pet – often to be found embedded between the scales in the case of reptiles – where they will happily feast on its blood. If you do find any, remove them carefully, making sure to get all of the head out; if you leave any of the mouth parts behind, it may set up an infection. Tick removal is a knack worth developing – ask your vet to show you how to do it.

Their smaller relatives, the mites, are another blood-sucking parasite likely to be encountered. Small and usually more numerous, you may have to look really close to see them; unfortunately the first you know about them may be when you find them swarming over you after you’ve been handling your pet! Get an approved treatment from your vet or exotic pet supplier – and develop the habit of routinely treating any new animal for mites as a preventative measure on its arrival. Left untreated, they will spread to other pets; they can also carry a range of diseases, so keeping on top of these pests is important.

Respiratory Problems

Respiratory problems are most commonly seen in reptiles which have been chilled. It seems to be something that some species of tortoises are particularly prone to, especially if their tanks are heated from below – by a heat pad, for instance. This can result in them breathing what is effectively cold air into a relative warmer body – with unpleasant consequences.

Often the affected animal will develop a discharge from the nostrils and sometimes, especially with larger specimens, start to sound a bit wheezy when breathing. If any of your animals start showing any symptoms of respiratory problems, swift veterinary treatment with a suitable course of antibiotics is called for.

If you learn to recognise the symptoms of the main reptile diseases, keep a careful eye out for them – and know when to call the vet – your pets should enjoy the very best of health.