Small Animal & Reptile Boarding along with Reptiles supplies at Lizardlink UK

Reptile Care and Advice

Keeping reptiles physically and mentally healthy is one of the key, yet most challenging duties of being a reptile owner. Thorough research into the species’ needs, habitats and illnesses they are prone to is required as preventions are far easier and better then cures. This essay will look at five common ailments seen with captive reptiles; Skin Necrosis due to shedding problems, mites, Metabolic Bone Disorder, egg binding and Brumation. For each problem the causes and preventions will be discussed alongside the symptoms and methods of treatment.

Most reptiles will shed their skin every four to six weeks with no problems accept from a slight change in appetite. However, shedding difficulties can result in Skin Necrosis, a condition where healthy skin dies due to the prevention of fresh air circulating because old skin has not been sloughed correctly. Sores or swellings are the initial signs of this condition that will get progressively worse and need treatment with antibiotics. The main cause of shedding problems is lack of humidity in the enclosure as the reptile’s skin is to dry to come off correctly, thus providing the appropriate humidity levels for the reptile and regular spraying, or bathing this problem can be avoided.

Another cause of Skin Necrosis includes insect or parasite bites that have become infected. Mites and ticks are not very common in captive bread species but can be a problem to clear, requiring regular bathing in suitable mite solutions and thorough cleaning of environment. Symptoms of mites include the visibility of little black pinhead sized mites moving around the softer skin below the scales. In addition to skin lesions they can cause stress and weakness to the reptile. Prevention includes regular and thorough cleaning of enclosures, quarantine before introducing a new reptile to another and regular inspection to catch an infestation as soon as possible.

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is probably the most common disease of any reptile caused by a lack of calcium, vitamin D and UVB light, especially during growth, and results in weak bones. Symptoms include swelling of the bones and joints, possible limb malformations, and the reptile becoming sluggish, showing a reluctance to move due to the pain. Treatment for mild forms include providing a diet higher in calcium and adjusting the light levels, whilst for more severe forms an injection of calcium from a vet may be needed, however, permanent damage and scarring could remain. Prevention again is preferred over the need to treat and thus ensuring the correct strength UVB bulb and replacing this every year as the efficiency deteriorates with use will help alongside the provision of calcium supplements, such as insect dust or ground cuttlefish. Reptiles should always be closely observed and behavior monitored to detect early signs of ill health. This is particularly important for gravid female reptiles that are more prone to MBD due to the additional requirement of calcium to produce the outer shells of eggs. If this is not present in their diet then calcium already stored in their bones will be surrendered leaving bones weaker.

Many owners that have not performed adequate research are shocked to find lone females producing eggs, however, this is not uncommon and thus requires female reptiles to be monitored for their production of eggs as fertile or unfertile eggs can become bound and result in fatality if not treated. Preventative measures include providing a suitable place for eggs to be laid, normally a deep, yet accessible box with a suitable substrate that allows for digging and burying. Extra heat is also often advised in order for them to build up the energy to lay the eggs, but this should not be an excessive or dangerous increase. When concern arises advice from a vet should be sought as surgery may be required to remove the eggs.

Monitoring and altering the environment a reptile habituates is often an essential part or reptile health. Light, food and heat levels may needed to be altered to accommodate for Brumation, a processes similar to hibernation seen in mammals, where activity becomes reduced to coincide with seasonal temperature and light changes. The process of Brumation doesn’t cause any health problems itself, yet the reduction in appetite and activity levels can be mistaken as a health concern as even captive reptiles in consistently regulated environments are affected due minute variations outside their enclosure, and their internal body-clock. Nevertheless, Brumation is not without specific precautions to prevent ill-health during this period of dormancy. Tortoises are a good example of a reptile that is commonly recognized as turning dormant (specific species only) and is regarded as healthy with artificial cold spells being created in warmer climates, yet, if a tortoise is ill or underweight when this Brumation is due to occur then it is unlikely to survive and thus suitable conditions to prevent this must be used. Similarly their stomach must be empty beforehand as undigested food and putrefy and release deadly toxins. Davies and Davies (1997, p.40) 1 advise that “diagnosis is easier if the owner has kept basic records… noting down important information such as date of acquisition, temperature range, photoperiod, feeding and dates of mating and parturition”. This essay has considered just a handful of the health problems related to reptiles and there are many more to be considered. Any of these ailments discussed can be experienced on a minor level requiring treatment at home, or more serious, needing veterinary treatment and possibly resulting in fatality. It does also not have to be a major deficiency or shock to cause a problem - nor a physical or biological cause - but small or slow changes, such as consistent physiological stress, can gradually lead to a serious health issue. Prevention is always the best cure to ill health and by following the advice given by experienced keepers or professionals and researching thoroughly into the species of reptile you own, or are considering owning, than ill health can be avoided.