Reptile and Aquatic Animal Husbandry and Diseases

Reptile Husbandry and Diseases

  • Reptiles include:
    • Tortoises and turtles
    • Alligators and crocodiles
    • Lizards and snakes
    • Tuatara (in a class of its own)
  • Research individual species as needed.
  • Habitat and nutrition are crucial for reptile care.

Enclosures

  • Species-specific enclosure requirements:
    • Arboreal species: Tall enclosures with climbing structures (e.g., chameleons, climbing snakes)
    • Burrowing species: Tank of dirt (e.g., sand boas)
    • Aquatic species: Enclosures with water (e.g., aquatic turtles, some snakes and lizards)
    • Large desert tortoises: Large, safe outdoor enclosures to prevent escape and predator access

Enclosure Types

  • Terrariums: Can be bioactive with their own ecosystem
    • Aquariums and tanks: Basic option, may need modifications
  • Size: Generally, the bigger the better, but some snakes get nervous in large enclosures.
    • Use hide boxes or start with smaller enclosures for nervous snakes.
Snake Racks
  • Racks with plastic drawers designed to prevent snake escape
  • Heat tape for temperature regulation
  • Typically dark with no UVB light
  • Used for breeding or housing multiple snakes
  • Safety: Secure enclosures to prevent escapes and trauma.
    • Be cautious of thermal burns from heat sources (under-tank mats or lamps); ensure proper regulation.

Substrate

  • Various options available; species-dependent
  • Aquatic species need mostly water with some areas to get out of it.
  • Common substrates: Coconut fiber or aspen
  • Sand: Controversial due to potential ingestion and foreign body impaction, but some reptiles live on sand.
    • Excavator sand allows building burrows.
  • Paper towels or cloth towels: Used for sick reptiles due to ease of cleaning

Climbing Structures

  • Essential for climbing species like chameleons, flying geckos, and arboreal snakes

Lighting

  • Daylight and UV light are key
  • UVB light is essential for calcium and vitamin D processing to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD).
  • UVB bulbs should be changed every 6-12 months.
  • UVB meters can monitor UVB output.
  • Basking lights provide warmth; daylight bulbs light up the enclosure.
  • Ceramic bulbs: Produce heat without light.
  • Mimic natural sunlight with a combination of lights.
  • Night lights: Not recommended; darkness is important.
  • Dr. Frances Bain: Veterinarian specializing in UVB light for reptiles

Heat

  • Various methods: Heat lamps, ceramic heat emitters, heat mats, heat tape
  • Species-dependent: Burrowing vs. basking animals
  • Ambient temperature: May be sufficient depending on location and species.
  • Radiant temperature: Being studied more

Humidity

  • Species-specific requirements
  • Example: Some blue tongue skinks need higher humidity than others.
  • Important for shedding
    • Leopard geckos shed skin all at once and eat it; snakes ideally shed all at once.
    • Bearded dragons and skinks shed in pieces.
  • Humidity issues can lead to skin rot/infections.
Humidity Control
  • Heat and humidity meters
  • Misters, foggers, or garden sprayers
  • Misters on timers
  • Water bowl near heat source to increase humidity locally or with tin foil over top screen if needed.
  • Humidity hides

Hides

  • Appropriate sizes are important
  • Provide hides in both cool and warm areas to allow thermoregulation and reduce stress.
  • Materials: Shoe boxes, moss, substrate, rocks, sticks cleaned via baking, or purchased hides

Nutrition

  • Key aspect of reptile care: Know your species' diet (carnivorous, omnivorous, herbivorous)
  • Omnivores: Example is the blue tongue skink. Feed salad, fruits, and live insects.
  • Variety is beneficial for obtaining different proteins, vitamins and nutrients.
  • Carnivorous reptiles (snakes): Feed rodents (frozen/thawed or live).
    • Frozen/thawed is generally safer than live.
  • Reptilings: Meat "sausages" for reptiles that have trouble eating.
  • Nutritional supplements: Powders mixed with water for force-feeding.
  • Parasites: Reptiles can get parasites from prey (insects, rodents).
    • Check fecal samples periodically.

Diseases

Common Diseases
  • Inflammation and infection of the mouth
  • Parasites (endo- and ectoparasites)
  • Burns, trauma, infections
  • Respiratory disease (common)
    • Humidity plays a role.
  • Septicemia (systemic infection)
    • Caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
  • Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
  • Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (if MBD affects kidneys)
  • Historically identified in iguanas with weak bones and rubber jaw
  • Issue with vitamin D absorption
  • Symptoms:
    • Weak bones, fractures
    • Nerve conduction issues, seizures, tremors
    • Muscle tremors, difficulty moving legs
    • Gastrointestinal issues (due to calcium's role in smooth muscle function)
Vitamin Deficiency
  • Hypovitaminosis A: Common; causes ocular issues (especially in leopard geckos), affects mouth mucosa (especially in tortoises and turtles)
  • Vitamin A is important for the immune system and mucosal surfaces.
Using X-rays
  • X-rays used to look for metabolic bone disease and bone density issues.
  • Osteopenia indicates weakness of the bones.
  • Calcium is important for muscle function (skeletal and smooth muscle); weak tongue in chameleons can indicate MBD.
  • Kyphosis (spinal deformities) can indicate MBD and trauma.
Protein Issues
  • Historically seen in box turtles fed high-protein diets, causing shell formation issues
Bacterial Diseases
  • X-rays used to examine lungs (especially in snakes) for pneumonia signs.
  • Mouth rot in bearded dragons: Secondary bacterial infection due to vitamin deficiency, trauma, shedding issues, or stress.
  • Bearded dragons are prone to periodontal and dental disease.
Other Conditions
  • Tortoise X-rays: Three views are typically taken; CT scans provide more detail.
Viral diseases
  • Viruses: Can test for with specific labs. General practice usually broad specturm treatment and supportive care.
  • Bearded dragons: Adenovirus is common.
  • Snakes: Inclusion body disease is common.
Parasites
  • Fecal tests: Look for parasite eggs (e.g., pinworm eggs in bearded dragons eating crickets).
  • Tracheal worms: Removed via endoscopy.
Toxins
  • Ivermectin toxicity in indigo snakes and some tortoises.
  • Vitamin D toxicity is possible.
  • Prey animals exposed to toxins can harm predators that eat them.
  • Dog attacks on tortoises are common.
Examination Techniques
  • Good assistants are invaluable.
  • Light sources and magnification (loupes, headlights).
  • Snake tubes or hooks for handling.
  • Transillumination with phone light can help visualize structures.
  • Otoscopes to look at eyes (and as light sources).
  • Q-tips and tongue depressors to examine the mouth.
  • Stethoscopes: Challenging to use due to reptile anatomy.
    • Position of the heart is up in their pectoral girdle
    • Use damp cloth to minimize scale movement noise.
History and Observation
  • Ask questions, gather history, observe the animal.
  • Pictures/videos of the habitat are helpful (virtual appointments).
  • Bring fecal samples and sheds for examination.
Diagnostics
  • Fecal exams: Look for parasites.
  • X-rays: At least two to three views, use x rays to look into their body cavity which is called a coelomic cavity.
    • Bearded dragon X-rays: DV (dorsal ventral) and lateral views.
    • Reptiles do not have a diaphragm
  • Blood draws: Site depends on species. Midline on their ventral tail vein
    • Lizards: Ventral tail vein (be careful of tail dropping in some species).
    • Tortoises: Jugular vein; sedation may be needed.
  • Ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs (some facilities)
  • Infectious disease testing: Send samples to specialized labs.
  • Necropsies: Done at diagnostic labs or in-clinic.
Medications and treatments
  • Focus: Broad-spectrum treatments, husbandry/nutrition adjustments.
  • Nutritional supplements: Mix powder with water for oral administration.
  • Fluid therapy through subcutaneous on skin, either orally or through medullary cavities
  • Heat support.
Alternate and Surgical Therapies
  • Cold laser therapy, honey bandages, herbal therapies, acupuncture
  • Surgery: Foreign body removal, spays, egg removal.
    • Be careful of the midline vein.
    • Paramedian incisions may be used.
    • Fluid therapy and warmth are crucial.
    • Ventilation may be needed due to lack of diaphragm.
    • Use small instruments and sterile Q-tips.
    • Close skin carefully to avoid scale interference.
Resources and Associations
  • Exotic Span Conference
  • Various reptile associations for information and networking.
  • Build relationships with industry professionals (rescues, breeders, pet store owners).
Wild Caught Animals Discussion
  • Higher mortality due to parasites, stress from capture/shipping, and inappropriate care.
Antibiotics Discussion
  • Some are better absorbed than others (heat and hydration affect absorption).
  • Enrofloxacin injections can cause local reactions.
  • Injectable cephalosporins may be better absorbed broad-spectrum antibiotics.
  • Consider owner's ability to administer medication, is it better to give with food etc.
Zoonosis Discussion
  • Practice hygiene (wash hands).