Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I have some questions about rehabilitation in crocodilians. I know that improper nutrition or lack of proper diet can cause health problems in crocodilians. Improper bone structure, decreased life span, stunted growth, etc can all result from an improper diet. However, could correcting these poor husbandry practices make a difference at all? Once the damage is done is it absolutely permanent or has anyone in here successfully rehabilitated crocodilians that were brought to them in poor condition?

I am just curious as to what can be done to help a crocodilian that has received poor or improper care.

I appreciate anyone's help!

Chris

Most rehab societies have a vet on staff, or have one that they work with regularly. This is the first step to a successfull rehabilitation. A close second of course, is optimal husbandry from here on in. This goes with anything though.

Reptiles that have experienced inadequate care come in with a whole range of problems. For some, euthanasia is the best option. For most however, proper diet and care will balance out any insufficiencies of the past with minimal long-term effects. The middle of the pack will do fine with a little help over the hill. Upper respiratory infections and stomatitis are all too common in rescue herps, and they recover well with treatment. If it has progressed to pneumonia, the prognosis goes down, but is not yet guarded. Other common complications as you may guess, are the abbrasions of small enclosures, minor trauma's, bacterial and/or fungal skin infections...

Keep in mind that my local herp rescue never sees croc's, or large boids, or venomous, (provincial laws), but they have a rather high adoption rate and rarely have to ask a vet to perform a euthanasia.

Ian