(Reptiles And Amphibians)

_At Elands Veterinary Clinic we have always treated your animals, both large and small. However, Elands is now taking a leading role in exotic pet medicine and we can now offer the same high quality care for your reptiles and amphibians as you have come to expect for your domestic pets

ROUTINE HEALTH EXAM

Reptiles and amphibians can all benefit from a yearly health check-up during which your animal will be thoroughly examined for any signs of ill health. The check-up also provides an opportunity to discuss aspects of husbandry such as captive environment, feeding and nutritional supplements, sexing, breeding and record keeping, as well as an opportunity to arrange routine blood testing, faecal analysis, and radiography. Reptile and amphibian nutritional supplements, vivarium disinfectants and wound cleaners are available over the counter.

BLOOD TESTING

Diagnosing disease can be especially difficult as reptiles and amphibians can mask their symptoms until almost terminal. We therefore recommend blood tests which can reveal otherwise unsuspected conditions, - especially important before surgery.

Blood chemistries help us to evaluate your pet's major organs and are of great value in diagnosing kidney disease, liver disease, metabolic bone disease and gout. Haematology tests provide an inside look at the blood itself and enable us to evaluate the red blood cells which are responsible for carrying oxygen and the white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infection. Unfortunately there is relatively little information on the normal blood values for most reptiles and amphibians. Therefore we recommend a routine blood test when your pet is healthy so that if your pet subsequently falls ill a second blood test can be taken and compared to the health screen to identifying the problem. Routine blood tests help to identify problems at an early stage.

FAECAL ANALYSIS

Many reptiles and amphibians harbour an assortment of parasites. Some of these parasites, such as the snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis) can cause irritation and spread the cause of fatal septicaemia. Ticks are more of a problem of imported reptiles, however they should only be removed by a vet as incorrect removal can result in abscess formation which will require surgical removal. Parasites can cause regurgitation, diarrhoea, poor growth, breeding failure, respiratory disease and even death. Certain parasites can even be transmitted to people and therefore we would strongly recommend faecal analysis and appropriate treatment of all reptiles and amphibians.

RADIOGRAPHY

Some species of reptiles/amphibians can be very difficult to examine properly, for example, it is impossible to palpate all the internal organs of most chelonians (tortoises, terrapins and turtles) and therefore

radiographs offer a valuable insight into the shell. A routine radiograph is extremely useful in evaluating the lungs, stomach and intestines, liver, kidneys and bladder, joints and bones, and oviducts for the presence of retained eggs.

FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS, ANAESTHESIA AND SURGERY

If it is necessary to admit your pet for further tests or surgery you can rest assured that they will be comfortably housed in one of our hospital vivaria and cared for by our trained nurses. Sedation is often employed when radiographing or taking samples (blood, urine, lung wash, stomach wash, cloacal wash etc) from the lively patient. Elands has also introduced the safest general anaesthetic agent for reptiles and amphibians (isoflurane) which enables us to perform a wide range of surgical procedures in our well-equipped sterile theatre.

Station Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 2XA (01732) 452333