11/01/2014

The plan"
Exotic pets in practice: 

the basics" •  Exotic pets what are they"
–  Why should vets get involved"
•  Some rules"
•  Where do vets come in?"
–  History taking"
Peter  Sco:  MSc.BVSc.FRCVS   –  Differences"
–  Anaesthesia, Surgery, Recovery,
Analgesia"
–  Euthanasia"
•  Feeding"
–  Metabolic bone disease"

What is an exotic pet?" Pet numbers"

•  Dogs & cats" " " 8 million each"
•  Fish " " " " 140 million"
•  Guinea pigs, hamsters

budgies, rabbits " " " 1.5 million each"
•  Reptiles " " " " 8 -12 million"
•  2010 figures of about 26 million UK households
almost 1 in two (13 million) own a pet. 23% own a
dog, >10% various fish, ~1-2% (0.25-0.5) owned a
reptile "
"
•  Fish data based on OATA surveys done in 2006, others derived from various sources – import
data, feed data (ie. items of food sold), numbers actually sold"

Survey of pet ownership" All their problems are man

•  16,445 emails sent out"
•  2082 responses (12.7%)"
•  Majority of owned reptiles <1yr old, high
proportion > 5yr old"
•  70% of reptile owners also own dogs, 49%
have cats, 45% have small furries, 25%
have fish, 16% have birds"
–  (only 3% do not own another pet)"
•  52% own lizards, 25% chelonia, 23%
snakes"
made!"
•  At a recent BVA AWF meeting a proposal was
roundly supported which quoted the old
throwaway (no data) that 90% of the problems of
reptiles were husbandry/environment issues
caused by owners

"
–  Logically true, since man provides their home and
environment and is responsible for determining
their needs, providing them, cleaning, feeding and
watering the animal etc.

"
–  You could say the only reason its not 100% is that
there is still ‘the wild element’ in the exotics
because we haven’t messed them up yet – unlike
the truly domestic pets where it is 100%"

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   1  

 11/01/2014  

•  ALL OF THE PROBLEMS OF DOGS AND CATS ARE DUE

>70% of the reptiles sold"
TO BEING KEPT BY MAN"
–  Since man has domesticated dogs and keeps them it can •  Bearded dragons"
hardly be otherwise"
–  From hobbling dysplastic overfed labradors and gasping pugs
and bulldogs to screaming Cavaliers with syringomyelia
 •  Corn snakes"
"
•  THIS ARGUMENT DOESN’T HELP US – its simply a truism. " •  Leopard geckos"
•  At the end of the day, with easy availability of information the •  Crested geckos"
situation is no different between most exotics and the more
familiar dogs & cats

" •  Royal pythons"
•  Good welfare is simply about meeting an animals needs."
•  Tortoises (hermans
and horsefields)"

Captive care means complying with

Most are captive bred"
the Five needs/provisions"
•  Lower incidence of parasites and general
pathogens"
Our  concept  of  welfare  is  a  
combinaJon  of  five  ‘needs’  
 
The  most  controversial  is  the  ability  
to  express  normal  behaviour.    
Not  least  because  we  can’t  always  
be  clear  about  which  behaviours  
are  required  and  which  are  driven  
by  food,  escape  etc.  
High  biosecurity,  good  nutriJon,  space,  groups,  vet  care,  good  welfare.    
 
Opportunity  to  control  issues  as  they  appear,  new  tests/potenJal  
pathogens  etc  can  be  incorporated  into  control  systems  

The plan" 1st rule"

•  Exotic pets what are they" •  Ideally have receptionist request
–  Why should vets get involved" details of the species, photos of
•  Some rules" the environment and feeding,
weight and any sloughing records"
•  Where do vets come in?" •  This will give you the opportunity
–  History taking" to look it up on the internet if
–  Differences" necessary"
–  Anaesthesia, Surgery, Recovery, –  We have all done this, I have
Analgesia" virtually every book on exotic pet
–  Euthanasia" medicine for reference.!
–  I bought them personally even when
•  Feeding" I was employed. !
–  Metabolic bone disease" –  Use all the cases as learning
opportunities!

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   2  

 11/01/2014  

2nd rule" 3rd rule"

•  Never automatically
•  Leave time for the consult. " assume that because
–  Think about doing them at the end of a someone owns an animal
session so that you can use the case as a
learning experience. " that they know how to
–  Talk to the owner, watch the animal quietly handle it safely."
and relaxed, birds in particular will be
conscious of being watched but will relax
more when you are both speaking about the
history, get all this done before you handle the
animal."

4th rule" Sample  fees  

CONSULTATIONS      
First  ConsultaJon  –  Dog/Cat/Small  Mammal/  ExoJc  £28.58    
•  Don’t halve consult fees because you don’t Repeat  ConsultaJon  –  all  species  -­‐  short  £11.57    
know anything or because its only small." Repeat  consultaJon  -­‐  small  mammal/  exoJcs  –  long  £18.90    
Repeat  consultaJon  -­‐  dogs/cats  –  long  £20.41    
–  Some clients will always look for someone cheaper, ExoJc  referral/  second  opinion  consultaJon  £88.20    
and will always moan how little they pay. Let them ExoJcs  beak  /  nail/  wing  trim  £17.77    
find someone else" Bird  beak  correcJon  with  GA  £48.96    
Nurse  ConsultaJon  FREE    
–  Your expertise is in history taking, and examination,
MICROCHIPS      
collect and build knowledge as you go." Cat/Dog/  small  mammal  Microchip  £22.06    
–  Some practices that know what they are doing often Cat/Dog/  small  mammal  Microchip  with  other  procedure  £19.44    
charge 1.5-2 x dog consult fees because done Bird/  repJle  microchip  £39.20    
DENTAL  
properly exotics cases often take longer. 
 Dog/  cat  dental  prices  on  applica?on  dependent  on  ?me  and  extent  of  procedure  
Ops etc require specialist equipment or expertise."    
Rabbit/  rodent  dental  (incl  GA  and  criJcal  care  sachet)  £115.50    
Rabbit/  rodent  dental  (incl  GA  and  xray  and  criJcal  care  sachet)  £157.50    

5th  rule   final rule"

•  Many  clients  move  around  to  find  a  vet  they   •  Build a network"
trust  with  their  exoJc  pet.     •  Join specialist societies, they are
•  If  a  case  has  been  seen  elsewhere  treat  it  the   full of knowledgeable enthusiasts"
same  way  that  you  would  a  referral.     •  BVZS, AAV, EAAV, ARAV,
•  Get  the  other  pracJces  history  and  phone  for   AEMV,FVS"
details  (clients  someJmes  lie  or  forget  things)  
•  Aeerwards  let  the  original  pracJce  know  the   •  DON’T JUST TELL A NURSE TO
outcome.  They  may  refer  to  you  in  future.   PHONE SUCH AND SUCH FOR
ADVICE. 

•  Recognise  mutual  freedom  of  choice,  don’t   COURTESY WHEN ASKING FOR
tolerate  PIA  clients   ADVICE REQUIRES THAT YOU
MAKE THE CALL"

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   3  

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Join…..  
•  There is considerable worldwide interest in
exotic animal medicine and surgery, but its •  h:p://www.bvzs.org  
still one the areas where you can get  
involved and actually do quite advanced work" •  h:p://www.aemv.org  
•  Its enjoyable to be working in an area where  
you can still make a contribution rather than •  h:p://www.arav.org  
automatic referral"  
•  Needs commitment, its not a hobby but it is •  h:p://www.aav.org  
rewarding for those of who don’t get out
much" •  h:p://www.fishvetsociety.org.uk  

Equipment / toys" Downsides"

•  Microscope"
–  Slides, slips" •  There will be disappointments and a
•  Blood tubes" higher failure rate"
•  Rigid endoscope 1.9 & 2.7mm very handy, even better if fitted with
camera attachments" –  A lot of the species are prey species and they
•  Fine ophthalmic-type instruments"
•  Lonestar retractor, clear drapes" mask signs till its too late, they give up, the
•  Radiosurgery -Ellman surgitron, with bipolar forceps " handling or nursing potentially mimic
•  Surgical loupes 1.5-3.5 is adequate"
•  Hemoclips very popular for speed"
predators ‘playing’ with them"
•  Monofilament absorbable polyglyconate suture material (often
reactions to catgut)"
•  There isn’t a return from vaccines, support
–  Subcuticular closure plus tissue adhesive" products and prescription foods"
•  A quiet kennel area, away from barking dogs, range of heat sources
or hot room" •  Higher incidence of zoonoses"

The plan" History  taking  

•  Exotic pets what are they"
–  Why should vets get involved"
•  Some rules"
•  Where do vets come in?"
–  History taking"
–  Differences" •  Done  properly  these  can  take  Jme,  I  would  
–  Anaesthesia, Surgery, Recovery, normally  recommend  allowing  up  to  20-­‐30  
Analgesia"
–  Euthanasia" minutes  so  do  them  at  the  end  of  a  session.  
•  Feeding" •  They  are  very  important  and  you  will  oeen    
–  Metabolic bone disease" learn  things  

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   4  

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General Exotics history 1   General Exotics history 2"

•  Get  the  history  while  you  
–  Gauge experience – "
are  quietly  watching  the   •  How long has the owner kept them, "
animal  from  a  distance.     •  how long have they had this animal, "
•  Birds  will  hide  signs  but   •  Where did they get it"
usually  only  for  a  short   –  How many other animals in their collection"
Jme.     –  What has the client done, treatments? "
•  Don’t  dive  in  to  handle   –  What food is used, when last fed/ate"
animals  too  quickly.   –  Last defaecation/urination "
–  Cleaning frequency, what do they use"
 

Reptile history" Birds  history  

•  Housing" •  Details  of  cage/aviary  –  size,  substrate  
–  What temperature range/gradient is provided" cleaning  
–  Humidity (most like 50-70%) but desert or
rainforest species may differ. Do they measure it?" •  Where  is  the  cage,  any  changes  eg  pictures  on  
–  What substrate is used" wall,  ornaments  
–  How are heat and light provided" •  Company,  radios,  TV  
•  What type of bulbs, for how long?"
–  If aquatic how is water quality maintained" •  What  type  of  interacJons  with  family  
–  Use of supplements, gut loading or insects?"
Some  vets  have  clients  fill  in  a  quesJonaire  covering  all  of  
–  Reptiles - Live or dead vertebrate prey used" this  first,  but  handwriJng  can  test  the  system!  You  can  use  
one  in  surgery  as  an  aide  memoire  to  take  you  through  

What  can  vets  do  

initial examination"
•  Provide  scienJfic  support  
§  Visual exam - CCTV is very
useful!" •  Access  to  labs  –  blood  work,  
§  Try to have everything you will microbiology  etc  
need to hand"
•  Vet  equipment  
§  Catch and carry out a thorough
physical exam" –  Rads,  CT,  ultrasound  
§  Palpate bones, check orifices" •  Drugs  
§  Assess nutritional status and
condition "
•  Surgery  –  key  to  this  is  
§  Assess breathing after release" anaesthesia  

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   5  

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Blood  sample  birds  

Blood sampling" Brachial  vein  isn’t  good,  its  
•  Blood  tesJng  
quite  mobile  and  needs  the  
•  Ventral  tail  vein  in  lizards  and  snakes    
bird  rock  steady  

Right  jugular  is  excellent,  

with  a  good  featherless  tract  
over  it  and  oeen  the  bird  can  
be  held  in  one  hand  and  bled  
with  the  other  

Toe  nail  clips  can  be  used  

for  DNA  tests  

Blood  sampling  fish  

Veterinary Diagnostic techniques"

•  Radiography  
•  CT  
•  Ultrasound  

Bird  rads   Fish  rads  

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Shark  spine  invesJgaJon   Aeer  taking  the  history  

•  Need  to  think  about  species/genus  specific  
info  
–  Clinical  anatomy  –  generally  similar  but  different  
enough  to  merit  checking!  
–  Relevant  physiology  –  reproducJve  especially  
–  Temperature  requirements  

Anatomy  &  Physiology    Clinical  anatomy  

•  There  is  bewildering  variaJon,  don’t  assume  

too  much  
•  Unless  you  actually  keep  them,  rely  on  general  
biology,  veterinary  background  and  research.  
•  Use  books  
•  Use  the  Internet  

One  way  lizard  breath   Cardiac  flow  

•  Three  chambered  heart,  allows  selecJve  flow  
around  the  pulmonary  circuit.  The  pulmonary  
flow  increases  with  sympatheJc  sJmulaJon  

•  The  upper  image  is  a  colorized  CT  scan  showing  different  airways  in  the  lung  of  a  monitor  
lizard.  The  bo:om  image  shows  how  air  flows  in  a  mostly  one-­‐way  loop  through  the  lizard's  
lung,  as  measured  by  sensors  implanted  as  part  of  a  University  of  Utah  study.  Note  how  the  air  
flows  through  adjacent  lateral  airways  (blue  and  purple)  by  moving  through  perforaJons  in  the  
airways'  walls.    
•  it  is  possible  that  one-­‐way  airflow  evolved  independently  about  30  million  years  ago  in  the  
ancestors  of  monitor  lizards  and  about  250  million  years  ago  in  the  archosaurs,  the  group  that  
gave  rise  to  alligators,  dinosaurs  and  birds.  
•  More  lizard  species,  such  as  geckos  and  iguanas  need  to  be  examined  in  the  same  way  

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   7  

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ReproducJon  Basics   temperatures"

•  Egg  layers  &  live  bearing  
–  Oviparous,  ovo-­‐viviparous,  and  viviparous   •  preferred optimal temperature zone (POTZ)
for reptiles is generally considered to be
–  Egg  laying  is  usually  late  spring  early  summer,  with   20°C to 25°C in temperate and aquatic
hatchlings  appearing  mid-­‐late  summer   species, and 25°C to 35°C in tropical
–  There  are  some  which  simply  retain  eggs  and  hatch   species"
them  internally.   •  Generally vivaria are set up to provide a
•  Pythons  lay  eggs,  and  boas  produce  live  young   range, "
•  Montaine  species  of  chameleons  produce  live  young   •  Appropriate Temperature Range (ATR)"
•  There  are  known  to  be  a  small  number  of  snakes  which   –  Most bask to achieve this"
swap  between  laying  eggs  or  internal  incubaJon  depending   –  In the region 20-32oC"
on  climate   –  Inactive below 15oC"
–  Hibernate if maintained at 5-10oC"

Sloughing Cycle of Reptiles" Reptile anaesthesia  

AcJvely  growing  younger  snakes  shed  every  2-­‐3  months,  mature   •  Ideally  anaestheJse  at  the  opJmal  metabolically  
adults  it  is  1-­‐2  Jmes  a  year   acJve  temperature.  
•  Sick  ones  are  oeen  dehydrated,  rehydrate  a  bit  if  
possible  prior  to  anaesthesia.  
–  s/c  space  is  limited  but  can  be  used.  AbsorpJon  is  slow  
(hyaluronidase  1500  IU/l  helps)  
This process is very prone –  Intra-­‐coelomic  is  usable,  and  absorbed  quicker  
to ‘disturbance’ due to diet
•  REMEMBER  repJles  have  no  diaphragm  so  don’t  put  too  much  in  
or environment"
–  Epicoelomic  route  in  chelonia  –  between  pectoral  muscles  
and  plastron  

Reptile anaesthesia"
Injectable  is  oeen  easier  and  smoother  
In  small  individuals    i/v  can  be  very  difficult   •  General use i/m"
–  Medetomidine & ketamine"
•  0.2 + 10mg /kg given i/m"
•  Larger Lizards, snakes Lizards  &  snakes  
and all chelonians" ventral  tail  vein   –  Some just use 30-60mg/kg ketamine then add
–  Propofol i/v 10 mg/kg" gaseous if it’s a long op or deeper plane
Chelonia  -­‐  Jugular  vein,  sub  
carapacial  (easiest,  using  a  27G   required"
–  Alfaxalone i/v 5-10mg/kg" needle)  and  dorsal  tail  vein  
"
Avoid the historical doses of 100mg/kg
ketamine in snakes – they can sleep for days"

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   8  

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Anaesthesia   Reptile anaesthesia  

•  A  safe  anaestheJc  is  the  key  to  invesJgaJng   •  RepJles  have  a  tolerance  to  anaerobic  
or  solving  many  issues   condiJons,  low  metabolic  rate  ie.  –  can  breath  
•  Oeen  it  is  useful  to  do  this  early  in  a  case   hold  prodigiously!  Especially  aquaJc  species  
before  the  animal  becomes  sicker   •  So  –  masking  or  anaestheJc  chambers  work  
–  To  get  bloods   on  snakes  and  lizards  –  albeit  slowly  (10-­‐20  
–  Radiographs   min),  but  not  chelonia    
–  biopsies  

•  When  using  gas  to  induce  a  flow  isn’t  needed.   •  Can  then  intubate  when  anaestheJsed  –  range  
Fill  the  container  (5%  iso,  or  8%  sevo)  and   of  modified  catheters  and  et  tubes  (Cook)  
observe.   Tracheal  rings  may  be  complete  (chelonia  &  
crocs)  or  incomplete  (snakes  &  lizards)  –  its  not  
•  Can  assess  righJng  and  pinch  reflexes.  If  using   consistent  –  DON’T  USE  CUFFED  TUBES.  
ziplock  bags  for  small  lizards  etc  can  do  this  
through  the  bag.   •  Snakes  are  easier  than    
                         lizards  to  tube  
•  Lidocaine  on  glovs  helps  
•  Chelonia  have  a  proximal  tracheal  bifurcaJon  
so  you  cannot  use  a  long  tube  

•  PosiJve  pressure  venJlaJon  is  needed  since  they  lose   Surgical  Jps  
voluntary  acJvity.  They  have  no  diaphragm  so  no  

• 
movement  of  skeletal  muscles  =  no  respiratory  movement  
Connect  to  a  T-­‐piece  and  use  manual  IPPV,  VERY  gently.  Or  
•  Use  paramedian  approach  –  there  is  a  big  vein  
use  a  Vetronics  VenJlator.   median  
–  With  tortoises  look  for  movement  of  the  front  legs  as  an  indicator.  
•  Work  on  about  5-­‐6  breaths  per  minute  iniJally  Jll  depth  is  
OK,  then  can  reduce  to  2-­‐3.  
•  Catgut  is  non  absorbable  for  repJles,  use  vicryl  
•  About  3%  isoflurane  is  usually  fine   Stolen  from  Aidan  Raeery,  showing  
the  Vetronic  venJlator   •  Scales  won’t  heal,  evert  skin  
•  Because  of  pulmonary  bypass,  for  prolonged  anaestheJcs  
some  prefer  to  use  injectables  but  maintain  on  IPPV  oxyge  

•  ConJnuous  monitoring  of  cloacal  temperature  is  useful  

•  Pinch  reflexes    on  toes  and  tail  are  OK,  snakes  recover  from  
tail  forwards!  
•  Corneal  reflex  is  no  use.  Generally  it  remains  throughout  
•  8MHz  doppler  probe  over  the  heart  is  the  most  useful  
monitor,  ECG,  blood  pressure,  pulse  oximetry  and  
capnography  aren’t  useful  –  too  variable  

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   9  

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Recovery  
levels of dehydration"
•  RepJles  can  do  death  impressions,  leave  then  24hrs  at  
least.  
At about 10% start
to think i/v!
•  Recover  at  24-­‐26  oC,  most  prefer  a  warm  room  to  
sivng  them  on  pads  (water  recirculaJng  heat  mats  are  
OK)  
•  The  CO2  in  a  warm  room  will  help,  most  get  over    
venJlated  and  somewhat  respiratory  suppressed  due  
to  high  oxygen.    
Mouth-­‐to-­‐mouth  isn’t  recommended!  
Maintenance rates average at 50ml/kg/day ie. 5ml per 100g"
When rehydrating estimate the deficit and on day one give 50% + maintenance •  Maintain  at  26-­‐28oC  for  a  while  as  thermoregulaJon  is  
requirement and repeat on day two" oeen  compromised  for  a  while  

Reptile analgesia" RepJle  analgesia  

•  Clinical  signs  of  pain  can  be  difficult  to   •  Non-­‐steroidals  (NSAIDS)  –  by  injecJon  
interpret.   –  0.2mg  /kg  meloxicam  every  24-­‐48hrs  
•  RepJles  do  possess  an  opioid  system  but   –  Or  
responses  vary  from  those  of  mammals.   –  2mg/kg  ketoprofen  every  24-­‐48hrs  
•  Acute  pain  oeen  causes  vigorous  acJvity  at   •  NSAIDS  –  by  mouth  
the  Jme  –  eg.  Escape  from  injecJon   –  5  days  meloxicam  at  0.2mg/kg  then  reduce  to  
•  Chronic  pain  tends  to  lead  to  immobility   every  other  day  (one  study  in  ball  pythons  at  
0.3mg/kg  showed  poor  results)  

RepJle  analgesia   Avian  anaesthesia  

•  My  personal  preference  is  
•  Used  frequently   masking  with  isoflurane  
about  3%  
–  Butorphanol  0.5-­‐1mg/kg     •  Get  everything  ready  first  
•  Variable  depending  on  receptor  type  Mu  or  kappa,   •  Get  on  with  it  
varies  between  Families  and  even  genera   •  Watch  the  recovery  from  
–  Values  recorded  0.4-­‐28mg/kg  in  a  range  of  species   handling  
–  One  study  showed  effects  at  1.5  or  8mg/kg  
•  I  suspect  that  birds  have  
died  whilst  vets  set  up  
monitoring  equipment.    

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Avian  lung   Avian  analgesia  

A  lot  of  variaJon  between  birds  
•  Butorphanol  at  1-­‐2mg/kg  i/m  appears  useful  
where  severe  pain  is  considered  -­‐  although  
depression  is  reported  in  various  raptors  eg  
gyrfalcons  and  owls.  
•  meloxicam  is  the  NSAID  of  choice.    
–  0.3-­‐0.5mg/kg  i/m,  i/v  PO  twice  a  day  

Fish  anaesthesia  

60-­‐  80  µg/kg  

medetomidine  
combined  with  5-­‐10  
mg/kg  ketamine  

Veterinary Support techniques"

Tubing  repJles  
•   Nursing  
•  Easier  than  birds  since  you  can  see  the  larynx  easily  
•  With  snakes  go  slowly  and  keep  the  first  third  of  the  
body  verJcal  for  a  minute  or  so  aeerwards.  

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Tube  feeding  
Tubing birds"
From  Ritchie  et  al  
•  Easy for right handers"
•  Bird facing you"
•  Go from birds left (your right)"
•  Across and down towards
your left hip"
•  See the tip of the tube in Gently express the dose"
place" Gently and slowly remove
the tube"
•  Have someone check for Keep the bird upright for a
TWO tubes ie. trachea and few moments for
swallowing reflexes to
feeding tube" operate"

passerines" calorific support"

•  Fluids ""
–  Maintenance: 50 ml/kg/day"
•  Passerines have a –  Replace the deficit over 2-4 days."
small/absent crop to –  May be split between oral and parenteral
small amounts often routes."
are the rule" •  Calories"
•  Rubber tubes work –  Metabolic Energy re (MER"
–  1.5 x k x (BW in kg)0.75"
well" •  K= 78 for parrots etc"
•  Have swabs etc •  k-= 129 for passerines"
available to clean up •  200 kcal/kg/day is a useful rule of thumb while you
find a 12 year old with a calculator"
if they regurgitate" •  Increase for small birds and decrease for big ones"
•  Frequency: depends on crop size (3 -5% BW v/w)
and patient tolerance; may feed up to 8 x/day"

Euthanasia  
volume"
Generally the oral route is •  RepJles  
preferred, bolus dosing at 25ml/ –  Take  them  away  from  the  owner  for  collecJon  
kg per feed rough rule of thumb" another  day  
" –  Sedate  using  gas  or  ketamine,  then  i/v  pentobarb  
Alternatively:"
budgies 0.5-1 ml" –  Doppler  useful  to  confirm  that  the  heart  has  
cockatiel 2.5ml-5ml " stopped.  
African grey 8-10ml " –  Pith  via  the  foramen  magnum,  nostril  or  roof  of  
macaw 10-15ml " the  mouth  –  oeen  unsightly  haemorrhage  
–  Keep  warm  24hrs  to  allow  drugs  to  work  then  
consider  freezing  

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Euthanasia   The plan"

•  Exotic pets what are they"
•  Birds   –  Why should vets get involved"
–  i/v  pentobarb   •  Some rules"
•  Fish   •  Where do vets come in?"
–  History taking"
–  AquaSed   –  Differences"
–  i/v  pentobarb  for  big  koi  or  larger   –  Anaesthesia, Surgery, Recovery,
Analgesia"
–  Euthanasia"
•  Feeding"
–  Metabolic bone disease"

Feeding  snakes  
•  Hatchlings  start  on  fluffy  mice,  one  every  5-­‐6  days  and  graduate  up  
to  an  adult  mouse  every  7-­‐10  days  as  they  grow.  Very  large  snakes  
may  require  2  adult  mice  per  feed  or  even  the  introducJon  of  
Feeding" larger  prey  items  such  as  rats,  Guinea  Pigs  and  small  rabbits.  You  
may  also  feed  a  mature  Royal  Python  on  day  old  chicks  to  provide  a  
variaJon  in  diet.    
•  Do  not  feed  the  snake  with  live  food,  even  a  small  mouse  may  bite  
or  injure  the  snake.  Shop  brought  frozen  rodents  are  available  from  
most  pet  shops  or  bought  over  the  internet;  these  can  be  thawed  
to  room  temperature  and  make  an  excellent  all  round  food  for  your  
snake.  Wild  rodents  carry  parasites  and  should  be  avoided  at  all  
Jmes.  
•  Never  handle  a  snake  straight  aeer  a  feed,  as  it  will  regurgitate  its  
meal.  It  is  recommend  to  leave  your  Royal  at  least  48  hours  aeer  
feeding  before  handling.  Snakes  that  are  preparing  to  shed  their  
skin,  rarely  feed  unJl  aeer  they  have  shed.  

Leopard gecko 
 Bearded dragon

feeding"
Remember"
•  No UV, rely on dietary vitamin D3"
•  Active forager, nocturnal"
•  Dusted crickets are the staple,
(juveniles about 5 a day), adults will
take 9-10 three times a week. "
•  Mealworms, waxworms etc even pinkies
provide some variety but are high fat "
feeding "
Wild dragons look for higher protein and so are mainly
insectivorous but as they grow their needs change and they
start taking leafy material, fruits and even flowers. "
"
Eventually as adults they are up to 90% herbivores"
•  Juveniles - crickets 2-3 times a day, also offer chopped
vegetables & fruit"
•  Adults - dark green leafy vegetables eg. lettuce, collard,
endive, spinach plus carrots, fruit"
•  Complete diets not more than 50% of daily ration "

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Tortoise  feeding  
Feeding"
•  Don’t just chuck it a bowl of
A balanced (not necessarily natural) diet for seed because it might be a
tortoises (particularly Testudo spp.) parrot!"
•  Leafy weeds and grasses eg. Dandelion, clover,
plantain, cress, watercress, coriander, pea leaves and •  Find out what it is and what it
eats"
pods, timothy grass, alfalfa"
•  Salad leaves tend to have higher water content so
•  Try to get the receptionist to
weight for weight contribute less nutrients, but find out the species first.
otherwise they are fine" Then check it when you see
•  Small amounts of fruit" it, eg Amazon grey, and
•  Calcium - cuttlebone, crushed egg shell and African green parrots"
NUTROBAL. The calcium content of many vegetables
can be increased by liming the vegetable patch prior to,
and during growth."

Cage bird diets"

Beak shapes"

Seedeaters"
(grit)"
softbills"
•  This is a quickie guide,
not cast in stone. "
nectar feeders" insectivores"
•  Birds will die if you don’t
budgie"
canary" parrots" find the right food"
Mealworms,
Millet" Nectars, fruit,special •  Identify the bird and use
oily Sunflower, bovril, mixes, egg"
+"
canary
seeds, milo, fruit, complan " the internet"
canary bread, milk,
seed"
seed, honey, meat!"
millet"
Identify the bird, look at beak shape for clues!

Sunflower seed" Seeds - what’s missing?"

State flower of Kansas"
Huge amount grown in Russia etc
•  Protein (amino acids)

lysine, methionine"
High fat"
Low in everything else – especially when
•  Vitamins

stored A, D3, riboflavin, B12, E,
K, pantothenic acid, niacin,
biotin, choline"
•  Minerals

calcium, sodium"
•  Trace elements

iron, copper, zinc,
manganese, iodine,
selenium"
Vine House grow their own here ie. they are
fresher and better

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   14  

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Metabolic bone disease"

Metabolic bone disease"
Iguana iguana" Soft shell"
Naturally herbivorous Lumpy shell"
as adult, but omnivore
when young"

Complex inter-relationship between protein intake/calcium/

phosphorus/growth rate and humidity"

Calcium issues" Metabolic bone disease"

Failure to mineralise bones properly"

African greys especially:"
" rickets & folding fractures"

Tetany especially around the time of laying,"

convulsions etc. especially African greys"

Avoid metabolic bone disease" Calcium : Phosphorus ratios"

"FOOD " "Calcium% "Phosphorus % " "Ca:P ratio"
"Mealworms " "0.0008 " "0.0112 " " " 0.07:1"
"Locusts " " "0.001 " "0.0075 " " " 0.13:1"
"Earthworms " "0.95" " "0.95" " " " "1:1"
""
"Whole Sardines "0.15" " "0.975 " " " 0.02:1"
"Horse meat " "0.01" " "0.24" " " " 0.04:1"
"Beef muscle " "0.011 " "0.188 " " " 0.06:1"
"Chicken muscle "0.012 " "0.201 " " " 0.06:1"
"Beef liver" " "0.008 " "0.352 " " " 0.02:1"
"White fish fillet" "0.0022"
"
"Oranges " " " " " " " " " " 1.74 :1"
"Grapes " " " " " " " " " " 0.50 :1"
"Bananas " " " " " " " " " " 0.24 :1"
"Lettuce " " " " " " " " " " 0.86 :1"
"Iceberg lettuce " " " " " " " " 1.30 :1"
"Carrots " " " " " " " " " " 1.50 :1"
"Tomato " " " " " " " " " " 0.62 :1!
Juveniles" Adults"

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   15  

 11/01/2014  

Misconceptions" Ultra-violet light"

•  A day old chick was part of an egg Some commercial full
yesterday and doesn’t equate spectrum bulbs have been
linked with cataract
nutritionally with a whole bird carcase" formation"
•  A lab rodent doesn’t equate to a wild
rodent"
•  Mealworms and crickets do not equate If bulbs with a good UV component are used then full
with‘wild’insects" spectrum multivits may only be needed 3 x a week, and a
simple calcium source on the others."
•  Animals don’t have a balanced diet on a Otherwise use them daily. "
daily basis" h:p://www.uvguide.co.uk  

Vetark Products to be aware of" Final  take  home  messages  

DO  NOT  SUPPLY  IVOMEC  FOR  TORTOISES  OF  
ANY  SPECIES  

CCF & Reptoboost are used

nursing sick reptiles or tortoises
which have not started eating after Ark-Klens for cleaning vivaria"
hibernation"
DON’T  USE  CLIPPERS  ON  PARROT  BEAKS  

©  VETARK  PROFESSIONAL  2014   16