acquiring a new pet reptile is an exhilarating experience for those of us in the reptile community. Whether it is a different species or another individual of a species we already own, each pet brings a fresh adventure and adds to the human-reptile bond. When searching for your next pet, there are certain factors to consider to ensure the animal’s health. This article aims to outline what to look for in a potential new pet.
Before delving into how to examine your reptile, it is crucial to discuss where you are obtaining your animal from. Whenever possible,opt for a captive-bred individual as wild-caught or farm-raised animals frequently enough come with numerous issues. The importation process can be extremely taxing on reptiles and causes important stress, which weakens their immune systems. This makes them susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.
The process also leaves them dehydrated and malnourished, further compromising their immune system and overall health. Along with physical stressors, the importation process can also have psychological effects on reptiles such as fear of humans and difficulty adjusting to captivity. Choosing captive-bred animals helps avoid these challenges and increases the chances of acquiring a healthy individual.
With the source of the reptile addressed, let’s now focus on what aspects should be examined when considering a new pet. It is recommended that you start by examining its head; paying close attention to its mouth, eyes, and nose. Look out for any lumps or bumps in its mouth or excessive bubbles/saliva as these could indicate abscesses or respiratory infections respectively.Additionally,
If you notice that your potential pet constantly keeps its eyes closed; this could be a sign of discomfort or stress. Discharge from the nares and eyes can also indicate respiratory infections. Moving on to the limbs and body, if possible, observe the animal’s movement to ensure there are no obvious limps or othre issues. Check for any swellings on its limbs or body and make sure that its scales appear healthy with no signs of dysecdysis, ectoparasites, or injuries.
Next, examine the vent for any swellings and if possible, ask the breeder about the potential sex of your reptile. It is also recommended to request videos of your potential pet eating as well as its poop/urates. If it has not been eating; this could be a sign that it is indeed sick or too young to be sold.Watery poop could indicate an inappropriate diet or parasites. Lastly, inspect its tail for any visible kinks, dysecdysis (abnormal shedding), or missing parts.
Most importantly; assess your potential pet’s body condition by looking at how skinny it appears. In lizards; you can check their tail base to confirm their body condition – normally you should see an outline of their hips covered by a layer of muscle. Emaciated lizards will have bony hips with visible spines along their tails while obese ones will have an obvious waist before their tail begins.
In snakes; a lean body with appropriate tapering from the body to tail is ideal while emaciated snakes will have visible ribs and spines whereas obese ones will have an obvious waist before their tails begin.
The mini physical exam outlined in this article should be conducted every time you handle and interact with your pet. As reptiles are evolutionarily designed to hide signs of illness, frequent check-ups will help you identify any potential health issues before they progress and seek the necessary veterinary attention.
Eric Los Kamp, DVM, is an exotic animal and wildlife veterinarian at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital in winter Park, Florida who aspires to become board certified in reptile/amphibian medicine. He is a member of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) and also an avid keeper of Ackie monitors.
Great advice, always important to make sure your pet is healthy before bringing them home!