Common Reptile and Amphibian Problems Seen at Evergreen Veterinary Clinic
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Copyright by Evergreen Veterinary Clinic. This document may not be
distributed without permission of the authors. The contents of this
document are reproduced at http://www.turtlecare.net/prev.htm
with permission of the authors.

Evergreen Veterinary Clinic
1611 East Capitol Expressway
San Jose, CA 95121

I. Nutritional
	A. Hypovitaminosis D/ Hypocalcemia (metabolic bone disease)
	B. Hypovitaminosis A
	C. Hyperproteinemia/Gout
	D. Hypervitaminosis D / Hypercalcemia

II. Parasites
	A. External chiggers / mites / ticks
	B. Internal strongyles (roundworms) / tapeworms
	C. Protozoal inestations

III. Environmental
	A. Temperature too low
	B. Temperature too high
	C. Humidity / water availability too low
	D. Poor water quality / filtering
	E. Lack of UV light / improper light cycle
	F. Inappropriate substrate: may cause obstipation / constipation
	G. Trauma: Cage, animals, humans (fractures)

IV. Miscellaneous
	A. Dystocia (egg bound)
	B. Prolapse: rectal / colon / uterine / penile / hemipenes
	C. Infections: Pneumonia, SCUD, Stomatitis, Abcesses, Septicemia, Gastritis

At veterinary exams, you should bring information about your pet's:
	* Scientific name and commone name
	* Previous weight, if losing weight
	* Age
	* Diet, temperature, substrate
	* Current medications
	* A fresh fecal sample

Carry your pet safely confined, with a temporary heating source. If you don't have one,
ask for one upon arrival if the temperature seems too cool, which is usually the case
in air conditioned offices.

Call and ask questions or bring your pet in before it is too later for us to help!

Read, read, read more about your pet! There are many good books available.

ON the web, there are many resoures. Two good ones are http://www.avma.org - click
on Electronic Zoo, and, for AOL members, Petcare Forum - Keyword pet Care.


Guidelines for Preventative Care of Reptiles and Amphibians
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The doctors and staff at Evergreen Veterinary Clinic know that your pets are
important family members in your home, just as ours are in our homes.
We want your pets to live as long and be as healthy as our own pets.
In order to achieve this health goal, routine exams and tests are a key
part of our preventative health program.

Although each pet has individual needs, the following guidelines belos has 
helped us be successful in keeping pets healthier longer by discovering diseases
sooner when they are esier to treat and cure.

The guidelines for preventive care of reptiles and amphibians are as follows:

1. Annual exam
2. Annual deworming/antiprotozoal treatment
3. Annual fecal test - float & smear
4. Quarantene all new reptiles in separate areas / rooms for 3 months
5. Record normal patterns of eating, defecating, weight, & behavior
6. Ensure that size, substrate, and temperature of enclosere is appropriate and that
   all lights and thermometers are of proper type and in working order.
7. Ensure that food and water are appropriate and dishes are cleaned and disinfected
   daily.

If you have any questions about any of these guidelines, please call us.