Vet Q&A-Reptile

I have this tank half fish tank half snake tank the snake can get into the fish tank which she likes to sit in. this snake is a red tail boa small and the fish i have are just goldfish which I am switching soon bexcuse their just test fish to make sure the tank is running well. Any reason I should close off the tank from the snake??

Yes, boas are arboreal/terrestrial snakes. Although they may be able to swim, drowning is a real possibility in a deeper or full tank. She will also outgrow the current set up soon requiring a larger, more appropriate boa-friendly enclosure.

It's been really sunny near where I live I do not have a basking light but I've been putting my baby turtle under some sunlight will this be enough until I get my basking light in a few weeks. He also seems to be liking it as well

One hour of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day should be sufficient until you get the bulbs. Do not mistake a basking light (which provides heat) for a UVB light which provides beneficial (and necessary) UVB rays. Make sure the nighttime temperatures do not get too cool.

leopard gecko not eating, throwing up, and being lethargic very thin. whats wrong?

Gastrointestinal infection or inflammation, eventually gastrointestinal impaction are possible and a check up and physical examination are needed as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause of it.

My African sideneck turtle is not experiencing symptoms but I took a water sample from his tank. Under the microscope I found possibly flukes and chilodonella. Should I be worried?

The first image certainly could show a fluke, however I really can't make out the second. To be honest you will expect to find some parasites in the water, what would be more significant would be parasites on a faeces indicating internal infection. Even still most animals have a degree of parasite burden. I wouldnt worry about the chilo as it is a protozoa more effecting fish. You can treat the fluke as in some cases a high burden causes disease, but if there are no clinical signs I would not think it is desperately required. I would be inclined to keep a close eye for now.

I adopted a bearded dragon she is eight years old and she has not been eating since I have a doctor which has been one week she has been given what the lady that gave her told me to give her but she still has not eaten anything

I commend you on adopting such a wonderful creature! She may need time to adjust to her new home and enclosure. Make sure it is large enough for her and located away from loud noises, vibrations, direct sunlight or high traffic areas. The commercial pellets are an excellent diet. You should also offer dark, leafy greens, diced vegetables and prey such as crickets or dubia roaches. These can be purchased from your local pet store. Gut load prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Dust with a calcium supplement 3-5 times per week. Use a multivitamin 2-3 times per week. Make sure the temperature in her enclosure is appropriate. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. The cage should be in the mid 70s F on the cool side and mid to high 80s F on the warm side. A basking spot of 90-100 F is recommended. She will also need a UVB light source running the length of her cage and about 12-14 inches away. This is vital for calcium, metabolism. You can soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes to warm her up and to rehydrate her. If her appetite does not return, have her rechecked by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites.

Hi there, my name is Ryan and I own a crested gecko named Steve. Recently I upgraded his home with a bigger tank and all new substrate, plants and cork hides. For the past 5 or so days he hasn't been eating any live crickets or mealworms. He will rarely eat his Crested Gecko diet. His temperature has been steadily at or below 80 degrees Farenheight and his humidity has been around 50-70%. His movements resemble a chameleon and he moves much slower now. Is there any advice you have for me? Thanks

Hi, sorry to hear Steve is not feeling well. Not eating can be a sign of a bowel impaction or obstruction which needs veterinary attention. I would do some research and find an exotic vet near you and take him in. He probably will need some x rays to show what is going on inside of him. Good luck with Steve, I hope he gets better!

Hi. This is my first time having a pet turtle. I had it for a year. Do you know what may be causes his shell to look like this?

It is very hard to tell by the picture but I would recommend taking mrs.turtle to the vet for a good exam. Most health issues with turtles are based on poor husbandry. I would make sure you are using UVB and UVA light- Most times you have to change the light bulb quite often. Also calcium is very important for the shell development. It is possible that Mrs. turtle needs more calcium. Turtles can get shell rot which is where fungus develops on the shell. You can try to dry dock the turtle by taking it out of water 3 times a day for 20 minutes to try and help the shell dry out

I believe my red eared slider turtle is sick. She normally is active but has been staying in one spot for the past couple of days. She has still been eating though, What should I do??

Sorry to hear about Pokey! I would certainly be concerned about her as lethargy in an otherwise active turtle could certainly be a sign of disease. Firstly, I would have a really good look at her and see if there are any other signs such as damage to her shell, rapid breathing etc. If you notice anything I would go to a herp vet asap. If she seems fine aside from being lerhargic, and is continuing to eat well my first step would be to look at the housing. Make sure her water is clean and filters are working well. Secondly you can increase the temperature of the air and water by a few degrees as she may be lethargic due to being too cold. If this does not help go to the reptile vet. Consider your general husbandary, does she get UVA and UVB? Calcium, temperature regulation, water quality etc? Hopefully she will respond well to a slight increase in temperature though. Good luck!

Hello how do I know if my bearded dragon is shedding its skin healthily .. ?mine just started doing this .. thanks in advance

They usually will start to be flakey and the skin will be loose and start to peel off. I recommend to leave them alone during the process and make sure their humidity is up in their environment. I hope this helps!