Reptile Medical Info

Respiratory tract disease is commonly diagnosed in captive collections of reptiles and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Improper environmental conditions are often contributing factors for the development of respiratory disease in reptiles. A detailed knowledge of the unique reptilian respiratory morphology and function is essential to successfully diagnose and treat respiratory disease. A variety of noninfectious and infectious causes have been identified in the etiology of reptile respiratory disease. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of reptilian diseases is increasing, and with the availability of new therapeutic agents and advanced diagnostic techniques, the diagnosis and treatment of reptile respiratory tract disease has become more successful.

Trauma to a snake, turtle or lizard is handled the same way, any wounds are cleaned with warm water and non detergent castile soap, then Calendula Ointment is applied with a Q-tip to the wound several times daily as needed. Give Calming Essence one drop by mouth to relieve anxiety, fear and stress. For dosing with homeopathic remedies, I have a handy ½ oz plastic squirt bottle in which 2-4 tablets of the needed remedies are dissolved in a small amount of bottled spring water (never use tap water-it is full of chlorine and other chemicals and may harm your pet). Dose by mouth #3 (Arnica 6x) for pain and swelling, and # 15 (Hydrastis 6x) if there is trauma to the mucous membranes of the mouth, #13 (Ferrum Phos 12x) for bleeding and #16 (Hypericum Perf 6x) if there are puncture wounds.

Or you may order the more convenient form of these remedies in one formula, "Tissue Injury 30c" from the Custom Homeopathy Formula Remedy section of my electronic store. All mentioned remedies can be purchased separately or packaged conveniently in my Emergency First Aid Kits with Handbook of instructions. For bacterial infected wounds add #14 (Hepar Sulf 12x). Dose on basis of acute schedule: repeat every 10 minutes for the first hour then once hourly for several hours first day, then 3-6 times daily as needed.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS/INFLAMMATIONS

Some reptiles can develop a urinary tract infection. Signs are increased volumes of urine three days after a meal. The urine may have blood, be straw colored or be clear colored with an ammonia -like smell. Give #15 (Hydrastis 6x), #6(Berberis Vulgaris 6x), #8 (Cantharis 6x), add #13 (Ferrum Phos 12x) if there is blood tinged or straw colored urine, or you may order the convenient all in one remedy "Cystitis 30C Formula". If early in condition, dose according to acute schedule. Otherwise 3-6 times daily as needed should be sufficient. I prefer not to give antibiotics, due to susceptibility of these pets to fungal infections.

EYE INFECTIONS

Eye infections can be common in all reptiles. Apply a small bit of the antibacterial antibiotic to a Q-tip and repeat 1-2 times daily as needed.

WATER AND QUARTZ CRYSTAL ENERGY

Some marine reptiles can develop chronic chemical toxicities if kept in tap water. Tap water is chlorinated, may have heavy metals, bcp’s and other contaminants. This will shorten your pet’s life and make him susceptible to disease. Use only filtered bottled spring water that has been analyzed to be free of chemicals. I like to put a large quartz crystal in the aquarium (or even the vivarium of non marine species) to strengthen the electromagnetic fields of the pets. This helps to keep them healthy and strong.

NOXIOUS ENERGY FIELDS

Also be sure to protect yourself and your pet from noxious energy fields by neutralizing the house‘s electrical panel with a Tri-Pak anti-radiation device.
Good organic, unpolluted nutrition, carefully monitored temperature control and protection from accidental predation by dogs and cats can prevent a lot of sad ends to these beautiful gentle creatures.

SUPPLEMENTS AND SUNLIGHT

Vitamin-Mineral supplementation is important: Turtles for example have a lot of bone to nourish, and a young turtle, a lot to grow. Vitamin D and direct sunlight are important or soft shell may result. Sunlight through a glass window loses most of the ultraviolet rays.