Vet Q&A-Reptile

my milk snake escaped awhile back. after finding him under a tank stand that barely had any room for him to squeeze under, I put him back in his tank. since then he has refused adult mice for a month, so I tried hoppers and he will eat those. do you think this is from stress, or could he have possibly hurt his mouth wedging through a tight space?

As long as he is eating, don't worry too much. If he will allow, look in his mouth for signs of injury. See your veterinarian if necessary. Feed hoppers for several feedings, then try an adult mouse. It is likely the stress related and may take some time.

Hello, I was checking on my res turtles and I just noticed the color on their shells. Would you be able to help me out. I'm really worried I don't know what's happening.

Hi there, there are a few possibilities here which I will describe, unfortunately I can't be more precise without seeing them. Worst case scenario is that this could be an infection causing shell rot, but it is likely in the early stages if so. Usually the shell will feel soft and can be smelly. Alternatively it may be discolouration caused by something in the water such as dye or certain algaes. Usually discolouration will come away when rubbed with a cloth. I would suggest heading to a good reptile vet to be in the safe side as if it is shell rot it is much easier treated early. Best of luck!

My Cape York Jungle Python named Jedburgh who is around 5 years old is a patient of Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital. I attended the Vet around 2 weeks weeks ago due to my snakes nose having a lump on it. The vet put him on an antibiotic injection once every 3 days for 6 weeks. Just yesterday the scab on top of the lump has come off and now theirs a hole in his nose. He also hasn't eaten in around 2 months which the vet thinks has something to do with his nose issue. We don't have Silvadene in here

So sorry that Jedburgh is having this issue. I think the wound looks like it is healing OK. You have to remember that snakes have a very slow metabolism - it takes them a long time to show illness and in turn, it takes a long time for them to get well when they are ill. I would just wipe it twice daily with some dilute Betadine solution. You can put the Betadine on cotton swab and wipe it on the wound. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Default-Betadine-Antiseptic-Liquid-15mL/dp/B0096R3ZDW Make the Betadine solution into a weak "iced tea" color solution (usually achieved by a 10:1 dilution with water). Hope this helps. Best wishes. If you have more questions feel free to post again!

Lump on snakes nose, scab fell off and now theres a hole there. Vet put him on antibiotic injection once every 3 days for 6 weeks

Keep the area clean. You can use diluted Betadine solution on a cotton swab to gently clean it daily. A dab of Silvadene cream may also help to prevent infection along with the antibiotics. If it doesn't heal, consider a biopsy or the area to rule out neoplasia (cancer).

I got my baby bearded dragon a week ago and since then it has only been eating very little and the temperature in the tank is all correct but I don't know please help

It is not uncommon for them to go off food after a change in environment. Continue to offer appropriately sized prey (no bigger than the space between the eyes) as well as a commercial beardie diet. Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites and consider an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian to confirm good health or to diagnose illness or injury.

My iguana has a gap...sometimes it has crust in it...he eats fine and acts like he always does...could i be overreacting or is it something i should worry about?

Look in and around his mouth for swelling, redness or bleeding. If he is behaving normally otherwise, you can monitor him unless the above symptoms develop, he loses his appetite or if the discharge increases.

I have a eastern box turtle ho has not eaten or been in her water container she is burrowed in her grass in her enclosure and has been for nearly two weeks she moves slightly when I touch her but does not come fully out of her shell or the grass

It sounds like she may be trying to hibernate. However, there is also a possibility that she is sick. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian. If they feel she is healthy then you may want to hibernate her in your garage over the winter. A large, sand filled bucket with hay on the top usually works well. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Is it ok for a young turtles shell to brake

No, it is not OK, nor is it normal for the shell to break. This indicates there has been some severe trauma, or this turtle is not being kept under proper environmental conditions, nor receiving a proper diet. I hope you can have a qualified turtle specialist help you is providing the proper conditions so your turtle can thrive. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

Hi, I'm asking today because of my turtle a (red ear slider) I've had him for 3 years now and I noticed that he was making noises as a high pitched meow? As if a baby kitted it's weird because he was perfectly fine yesterday it's been an hour now and he's not moving or responsive I'm afraid he might be dead if so I'd just like to be sure that's all thank you.

The noise may be stress related or could indicate respiratory infection. The surest way to confirm either, or death, is to have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can pick him up to see if he responds. Most turtles will withdraw into the shell or try to escape if handled. Check the ambient and water temps. Soak him in a shallow bowl of a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Increase Temps by about 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery.