In Practice 18: 51-65 (1996)
© 1996 British Veterinary Association

Basic reptile husbandry, history taking and clinical examination

¹ British Chelonia Group

AS reptiles continue to gain popularity as pets, their owners' expectations of their veterinary care are increasing. The expansion in the general knowledge of reptile husbandry, medicine and surgery has resulted in the provision of a comparable level of veterinary care for reptilian patients as is already available for dogs and cats. The aim of this article is to introduce the practitioner to reptiles, and to provide details on taking a comprehensive history and performing a thorough clinical examination that will point the clinician towards further laboratory and ancillary tests and that previously elusive diagnosis.

Note:

Mr Peter Scott (Vetark) kindly supplied much of the nutritional data and Mr Terry Thatcher (British Herpetological Society) provided information on environmental lighting.