COMMON ILLNESSES
Reptiles have very specific nutritional needs and face unique healthcare concerns when compared to conditional pets such as cats and dogs. Understanding how to prevent illnesses from occurring whilst also recognising the signs of common ailments is a key part in providing good reptile care.
There are a few common ailments that those involved in reptile care should know about and be able to recognise.
MOUTH ROT
Mouth rot happens when the reptile's immune system fails and the animal is no longer able to maintain the usual balance of bacteria in their mouth, this disease can affect all reptiles.
Early warning signs:
Red or swollen oral tissue
Loss of appetite
MITES
Mites tend to gather around a reptile's eyes and crevices of their scales. If left untreated, mites can cause:
Anaemia
Dehydration
Lethargy (state of tiredness, weariness, fatigue or lack of energy)
You may be able to spot these parasites before your reptile becomes symptomatic, so make sure you examine the animal for small black dots and take immediate steps if you see them. This may include quarantining your animal and completely cleaning out their enclosure.
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE
The ailment affects almost all reptiles but it is rare in snakes and it can be very serious.
Symptoms include:
Limping
Bowed Limbs
Hard Lumps
Decreased appetite
Causes may be an imbalanced diet or inadequate exposure to UVB rays. If it is caught early enough then it is easily cured with dietary and lifestyle changes, however if this is left untreated then it can be fatal.
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Like most other household pets, reptiles are susceptible to developing respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
Symptoms include:
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Discharge from mouth or nose
Seek veterinarian care as soon as any of these symptoms rise, you may also want to consider cleaning out your reptiles enclosure to make sure there are no unsanitary environmental conditions.
PREVENTING ILLNESSES
While you can not prevent all illnesses from happening there are steps you can take to keep the reptile in care as healthy as possible.
Steps you can take to keep your reptile healthy are:
Keep the enclosure clean
Follow all dietary recommendations
Watch for signs of illness, and, if necessary visit a vet or herpetologist immediately.
Conduct health check often
Mae sure you keep up with regular vet or herpetologist appointments
CONDUCTING A HEALTH CHECK
Between visits to the vets you should conduct your own health checks.
Pay specific attention to:
Activity levels
Behaviour changes
Posture
Responsiveness
Gait
Colour
Appetite
Hydration
Urine and stool production
Swelling or the presence of lumps
Any changes should be noted and discussed with your vet as soon as possible as they may be a sign of a greater medical issue.