Vet Q&A-Reptile

I have a tortoise, and this year he really wants to hibernate (we switched to a bigger outdoor cage recently). He's sleeping a lot and not eating very much, should we encourage him to stay awake? Or do we let him hibernate? Isn't hibernation complicated?

Hi and thank you for using PetCoach, It is normal for this species to hibernate when it gets cold. This in itself should not be a problem; however, if Creek is unwell for any reason then it is better to keep him active by providing a warm environment throughout the winter. This would ensure that his immune system continues to function properly. A yearly veterinary health check just before it gets cold could help you decide whether or not to let him hibernate.

Is pydialite safe for pets to eat and soak in? How does it help? How does it help reptiles skin?

Pedialyte is a balanced electrolyte replacement solution that has sodium, potassium & chloride, & sometimes high amounts of glucose (sugar). It is used primarily in humans, but can be utilized in other species, especially dogs & cats. Since there is no balanced electrolyte solutions for reptiles, if you decide to use some for your reptile, then make sure it is unflavored. It is generally not used for soaking, but as an oral drench in dehydrated animals. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

My water dragon has a bubble on her hand how do i treat it ? She doesn’t show any sighns of pain when I touch it and she also has no wound

Thank you for the photos. Sorry Jade is having this issue. It looks like a either an abscess (infection), a cyst or a tumor. It does not appear to be an injury. I cannot tell you much on how to treat it without knowing what it is. I strongly suggest you take her to a reptile veterinarian for an exam. They will likely do an aspirate of that lump to collect some cells and get a diagnosis. It if is an abscess she will need antibiotics. If it is cyst or tumor it will likely need to be removed with surgery or it will never go away. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I bought a 6 month old bearded dragon today and it hasn't eaten or drank anything. Is that normal?

Yes, this is normal. Sometimes, the change in environment can affect appetite. Give him a few days to acclimate. Continue to offer food and make sure enclosure temps are warm enough. A cold dragon will not eat.

I have a few questions. Is it ok to put your bearded dragons cage by an open window? When Is mating season? Is he just booting at his own reflection? Why is my male juvenile dragon bobbing?

It is best to keep them away from direct sunlight since it can cause tank temperature to rise quickly and to dangerous levels. It is also best to keep them away from drafts. He is likely head bobbing at his reflection as a challenge to the "strange" lizard he sees. You can use a tank surround to cut down on reflections. Captive beardies can be bred year round, however in the wild they typically breed in the spring.

I have a juvenile bearded dragon. Lately after she eats she starts having labored breathing and opening her mouth. Sounds like a URI but it only happens after she eats. Could she be eating to quickly or is her food to big?

If you suspect a URI, have her seen by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet for confirmation and treatment. Additional symptoms include wheezing or popping sounds while breathing, lethargy, decreased or lost appetite and discharge from the nose or mouth. You are correct in that prey that is too large is also a potential cause. Feed prey that is no bigger than the space between her eyes to ensure she will not have difficulty eating. If mealworms are offered, feed only freshly mooted ones to decrease the amount of chitin ingested. This can pose a problem for juvenile beardies.

I was wondering; do bearded dragons go through all colors? ex: blood red, snow flake, rainbow tiger.

There are 9 different species of bearded dragons and across them, there are numerous morphs that can span the color spectrum. Beardies don't change color as dramatically as chameleons, but they can be selectively bred for a specific color/appearance.

My baby turtle who is no bigger than one inch in diameter isn't eating. He is new to my house but he was eating before, now he will not eat his little food sticks which i broke up to make them easier for him to eat. Is this normal and how can I get him food or is he not eating because it is winter?

Hi, I’m sorry to hear about Tooter! He sounds very tiny, and that’s a bit concerning as there is a minimum size for legal sale of turtles in the US (greater than 4 inches). Regardless, there are a lot of possible reasons Tooter may not be eating. It’s impossible to say without knowing the details of your tank set up and doing an exam on Tooter. But the most common problems we see in aquatic turtles (I am assuming Tooter is an aquatic species) are lack of UVB light causing metabolic bone disease, poor water quality, inappropriate temperatures causing immune suppression and infections, vitamin A deficiency causing eye and nose discharge among other signs, and other problems. Since this is a long list, and some of these issues are easier to treat than others, I would highly recommend you bring Tooter to see a veterinarian for an examination and husbandry evaluation. In the meantime, check out anapsid.org and read the Chelonian section (red rated slider subsection) to make sure your husbandry is adequate. Sometimes, reptiles simply don’t eat because of a temperature issue, so it is best to rule that out first! If you would like to discuss turtle husbandry or Tooter’s care in more detail, feel free to request a consult. Good luck!

Dear vet, My iguana has little red bugs on her. Her name is Iggy and she is a juvenile. When just found out today , can you tell me what is wrong and how me and my family can cure it ? Sincerely, A girl that is eleven years old

Hi and thank you for your question :) The little bugs you saw are called mites, and they are parasites similar to the ticks dogs get (only much smaller). There are different treatments that can take care of these bugs. One way would be to get an anti-flee spray called 'Frontline' and apply a bit to a piece of cloth. Then whipe it over Roxy. Please have your parants help you with that and use disposable gloves. Otherwise, your vet should be able to treat it by other medications.