We treat a variety of reptiles and amphibians; ranging from bearded dragons to tree frogs to skinks. Commonly seen reptiles and amphibians include:
- Bearded Dragons
- Water Dragons
- Iguanas
- Geckos
- Tegus
- Uromastyx
- Chameleons
- Skinks
- Legless lizards
- Boas
- Pythons
- Kingsnakes.
- Tree frogs
- Axolotls
- Turtles
- Tortoises
Common Medical Problems
Diet and management are the cause of most medical problems with reptiles and amphibians. A thorough history of your feeding practices, terrarium humidity and heat, and lighting significantly helps in locating areas of improvement for your pet. For aquatic pets, water testing is vital. Other issues such as breeding and hibernation can also be investigated if needed. Early intervention and diagnosis of problems increase the likelihood of success. We recommend examining your reptile shortly after you purchase them to start your pet’s life off to a good start. After that annual or semiannual examinations help maintain your pet at optimal health.
Common problems we commonly encounter are:
- Metabolic bone disease
- Poor shedding
- Thermal burns
- Mouth infections
- Abscesses
- Egg retention
Diagnostics:
Complete blood count and organ function testing – We have invested in lab equipment that handles the small volumes of blood that are available from these pets. Most times we can have results within 30 minutes. Prompt diagnosis can means the difference between life and death in a heavily compromised reptile or amphibian pet.
Stool parasite examinations – Many intestinal parasites do not cause issues in a healthy pet. But when there is another disease concern, these parasites can cause issues. We are able to microscopically examine your pet’s droppings to make an accurate determination whether anti-parasite medications should be used.
X-rays – Our digital radiology system calibrates down to the smaller size of many of our exotic patients. The high resolution that digitial x-rays provide allows us to better diagnose bone fractures and masses so we can get your reptile or amphibian the medical care they need.
Disease DNA testing – We partner with outside laboratories that can look for the ‘DNA fingerprint’ of many reptile and amphibian viruses and fungi. The sample size we need is miniscule and almost all the time can be noninvasively obtained.
Ultrasound – Ultrasound can be used on many of our exotic pets and allows us to see inside organs within your pet’s body. Ultrasound is noninvasive and nonpainful but can yield us enormous diagnostic information.
Laparoscopic exams – When needed, we can use minimally invasive laparoscope to visualize inside your pet’s body, perform some surgeries, and obtain tissue samples for biopsy.
Therapies:
Intensive care – We have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to provide intensive care hospitalization for your pet. When a reptile and amphibian patient is severely ill and compromised, intensive care can be lifesaving.
Surgery – We routinely perform surgery on reptiles and amphibians. We participated in a study at the New Boston Air Station where we implanted radio transmitters in over 50 threatened Eastern Hognose Snakes. Tumor removals, lancing of abscesses, and biopsies are other common surgeries we perform.
Medicinal preparations – We carry medications that are routinely used in reptiles and amphibians and we routinely compound these medications to meet the size of our patients.
Pain management – Although still in its infancy, pain control for reptiles and amphibians is recommended. We use the latest research and case studies to minimize the pain your pet may be encountering.
Parasite control – Parasites are a fact of life in reptiles and amphibians. When indicated, we carry a number of effective parasite medications.
