Vet Q&A-Reptile

My tortoise is peeing and point more that usual. His poo is sloppy and he has started pushing out his penis when he does this. He looks like it is an effort for him. He is 9 and a Hemans tortoise

The increased in urination and sort stool ay be due to an increase in fluid intake or eating succulent fruits and vegetables. The soft stool can also be due to intestinal parasites. Bladder stones are also possible and would cause straining to urinate which could in turn cause a prolapse of the penis. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended. Bloodwork and xrays may provide a different. If indicated, your vet can provide supportive care (fluids, antibiotics, deworming, etc) if indicated. In the meantime, keep him warm. Consider increasing ambient temperature in his enclosure by several degrees. Soak him daily in a warm 50/50 solution of water and an unflavored electrolyte replacement fluid. Decrease the amount fruit being fed. Make sure he continues to eat though.

if you're studying veterinary medicine. Is there a course wherein you will only treat cats dogs? Because i dont want to hold those spiders snakes etc.

Some veterinary schools do allow tracking in which you only study certain species - such as only horses or only dogs and cats. I would recommend contacting the school(s) you are interested in and ask them if that sort of program is offered.

The humidity in my bearded dragons enclosure is too high(around 55%) but I cannot get it down. I have barely any water in there and I use reptile carpet(that is completely dry) I'm afraid he's going to get respiratory problems since he's so small. what should I do? Thank you in advance!

Use a screen cover for the enclosure if you aren't using one already. Move the water dish away from the basking light to minimize evaporation. A dehumidifier in the room may be necessary if you live in a humid area of the country.

My tortoise will barely open his eyes and when he does they are more white than black. Ive went to the vets twice and got eye drops but they haven't worked. I've changed his heat lamp and substrate but still no. What is wrong with him?

Have him rechecked for vitamin A deficiency. Your herp vet can give an injection or dispense oral beta-carotene which Herman can convert to the active form of vitamin A. Dust food with a multivitamin powder 2-3 times weekly. A calcium supplement can be offered the other days. Use a 10% UVB light source making sure it is not blocked by glass or plexiglass. Consider a ceramic heat emitter instead of a bright heat lamp. Rinse the eyes with sterile saline solution if he allows. Monitor humidity levels and air circulation in the enclosure. Remove any furniture that may cause eye trauma.

My bearded dragon is very sick and throwing up he also seems to have an apitate but he's not eating he is also weak but has random fits

I'm sorry Drakuo is so sick. It sounds like her needs to see a veterinarian. He may have a GI blockage or sand impaction if he's been kept on sand. Some metabolic diseases will also cause Beardies to vomit. I recommend getting him seen asap. If you do not already have a reptile veterinarian you can try looking here to find a veterinarian near you. http://arav.org/ I hope Drakuo is better soon!

Hi i can't get my lizard to eat,she's very thin,more like skin and bones,have tried force feeding her life food,but she's being stubborn and getting weaker an weaker everyday. Kind Regards Trish

Have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles. Be sure to feed appropriately sized prey, nothing bigger than the space between her eyes.

I am thinking about making an outdoor enclosure for my Australian bearded dragon, what plants should I put in for him to feel at home

Bearded dragon owners can also add plants to the habitat, but take care when adding real plants. If a live plant is in the habitat, the bearded dragon might decide to use it as a snack. If the plant is toxic to bearded dragons, your pet could end up very sick, or dead. Artificial plants are the best option since they are easy to clean, never need water, and are very naturalistic. Most pet stores carry a wide variety of artificial plants to choose from. If you decide to use live plants, junipers are one of the most recommended plants to use. Junipers are slow-growing and do not require much water.

My turtle is a red eared slider I don't know if he is a male or female but I just assumed he's a male. Although my dad has been putting him in the fountain it doesn't have any chemicals but when I went outside to bring him to his tank the fountain had a lot of foam & I worried it was soap but my dad said he hadn't put any in there. Now his eyes are shut/inflamed I wanted to ask if vitamin A deficiency is deadly? Is there anything I can do meanwhile I take him to the vet? Thank you

A vet exam is always recommended. IT appears to be Vitamin A deficiency - I think the fountain thing was just a coincidence. You can buy a Vitamin A eye drop to start putting in the eyes: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops Next, start him on a good diet. I don't know what you are currently feeding but I recommend this diet. https://www.chewy.com/mazuri-fresh-water-turtle-food-12-oz/dp/124764 Hope this helps. Best wishes!

My tortoise I think has a plugged nose but opens his mouth to breath and it whistles.he has a good appitite and energy.how can I fix that on my own. I have no pictures.

A plugged nose, nasal discharge and whistling/wheezing when breathing are all symptoms of upper respiratory infection. This cannot be treated or managed at home. Big T should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles for confirmation. If so, he will need antibiotics for treatment. Left untreated, it can progress to pneumonia which can be life threatening. Increase the temperature in his enclosure by 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery. Make sure he continues to eat and behave normally. A good soak in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte can treat or prevent mild dehydration.