When does your reptile or amphibian need to be seen by a veterinarian?
Emergencies: The animal must be seen by a veterinarian within 24 hours.
-Broken bones. Keep animal as immobile as possible, cover any open wounds.
-Electrocution. Unplug the source of electricity safely, or remove animal from current with a non-conductive object like a wooden broomstick. Breathing and pulse can be difficult to detect in these animals. Keep animal warm and transport to vet, even if animal appears normal after the incident.
-Eye injuries. Protect globe of eye and transport to vet immediately.
-Large wounds, hemorrhage (bleeding), evisceration (internal organs visible from a wound). Cover open wounds, apply pressure to bleeding.
-Near drowning. Remove animal from water and lay flat on the ground, if possible open mouth and pull tongue out to make a patent airway. Gently tip body head downwards to attempt to expel water from lungs. Keep warm, transport to vet immediately.
-Prolapse (if there is any type of tissue sticking out from the cloaca (vent)). Protect prolapsed tissue.
-Respiratory disease causing severe dyspnea (difficulty breathing). Keep airway patent if possible.
-Seizure. Keep animal as immobile as possible during transport, do not attempt to keep animal from "swallowing its tongue."
-Severely depressed, lethargic (lack of energy), unresponsive. Keep animal warm.
-Tremors, limpness. Keep animal warm.
-Vomitting (if blood is present in vomit, or if poisoning is suspected). Keep animal warm. If suspected poison is known, bring the product and its package, or a piece of the plant to the vet. If vomit is bloody, bring a sample.
Severe health problems: The animal must be seen by a vet ASAP, within the next 24-48 hours to avoid worsening of the condition.
-Burns (moderate burns where the skin has not been completely compromised). Keep burn covered until seen by a vet.
-Diarrhea (lasting more than one feeding, or if blood or mucous is present. Diarrhea poses a risk of dehydration). Bring in a stool sample for tests.
-Lumps, bumps and masses (could be cyst, abcess, tumour, etc... Only a vet can diagnose this in-person).
-Metabolic bone diseases (nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, or NSHP, is a chronic disease, get veterinary attention ASAP, unless the animal displays tremors, limpness or has broken bones).
-Mites and ticks (do not attempt tick removal at home without experience. Mites and ticks may cause anemia and other bloodborne diseases, so attention is needed ASAP).
-Respiratory illness (excessive salivation or "drooling," bubbles from nostrils or mouth, open-mouth breathing often with a popping, clicking or hissing sound).
-Suspected egg binding (without being severely depressed, if there are no muscle tremors).
-Vomitting (if poisoning is ruled out).
Moderate health problems: The condition may be managed at home if experienced and resources are available for treatment.
-Isolated episode of diarrhea.
-Mites and ticks.
-Vomitting (if cause, other than poisoning, is known).
-Small burns.
-Small wounds.
The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians has a list of qualified and experienced herp vets on their website, www.arav.org.
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Christina Miller, CAHT
www.herptiles.net
