Bearded Dragon Not Eating
Why would our beardies suddenly stop eating?
Ask a Vet
Can A Retic With Inclusion Body Disease Still Strike?
Inclusion body disease is known to strike pythons and boas.
The Vet Report: Salmonella In Reptiles
In the 1970s, red-eared sliders were so popular in the pet trade that they were actually raised in human sewage ponds —hence the source of the Salmonella
The Vet Report: Contrary To Popular Belief, Snakes Can Hear
“Well, Mr. Jones, I have to disagree with you. Snakes do have internal ears, and they can hear.”
The Vet Report: Puka, The Sea Turtle With A Hole
When Puka came to the Turtle Hospital, the director at first wanted to euthanize her. My first thought was that I had to agree. A hole in a sea turtle —not good.
Metabolic Bone Disease In Reptiles
MBD is not actually a single disease entity, it is a collection of medical disorders affecting the integrity and function of bones.
Reptile Medicine Behind Bars At The Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm
The Monroe County Jail in Florida is home to a variety of animals, cared for by inmates.
The Vet Report: Reptile Vomiting and Regurgitation
The two most common causes of vomiting or regurgitation in snakes are low-environmental temperature and handling the animal too soon after eating.
The Vet Report: Don’t Diagnose Your Herps Via The Internet. Find A Good Reptile Vet
Long-distance medicine is a reality, but it requires trained individuals on both ends of the cyber connection to collect all the data and formulate a diagnosis and plan.
Mites in Reptiles
Mites can be both a nuisance and a costly problem in any reptile collection.
Dr. Douglas Mader Bids Farewell: Thank You REPTILES Readers
After 23 years answering over 350 questions in over 250 columns and writing numerous columns, Dr. Douglas Mader bids farewell.
The Vet Report: Environmental Enrichment for Reptiles
Environmental enrichment will improve the health of captive reptiles.
The Vet Report: Burns in Reptiles
Thermal burns in reptiles are one of the most common injuries seen by herp veterinarians.The exact reason why reptiles seem so prone to burns is not understood, but something about their behavior makes them more susceptible to this type of…
The Vet Report: A List of Common Internal Parasites in Reptiles
A parasite is any animal that lives on or within a second animal, and for the most part, parasites live in harmony with their hosts in the wild. They derive sustenance or protection from them, and although they may not…
A Crocodilian Christmas
Years ago, I always liked to take the emergency shift during holidays so that my associate doctors could spend time with their families. At the time my wife was an ER nurse in a human trauma center, and being junior…
The Vet Report: Working On Hot Herps
I am frequently asked if I will perform veterinary work on “hot,” or venomous, species. The answer is yes. The “hot stuff” is susceptible to all the same issues that non-venomous species are, with a few extras thrown in. Treating…
The Vet Report: Routine Blood Testing In Reptiles Is Encouraged
"Bad laboratory data are worse than no laboratory data at all." Considering the variety of species of herp patients that I see, I think this old saying is more significant than any other in all of veterinary medicine. This is because…
The Vet Report: Herp First Aid Kit Checklist
It seems as though throughout my life I have lived in places where natural disasters are just a blink away. Whether it was California with the earthquakes or the Florida Keys and the hurricanes, I always make it a point…
The Vet Report: Sulcata Tortoise Spine Abnormality
Dear Dr. Mader, I am a tortoise enthusiast and a huge fan of yours. I am in the process of finishing my prerequisite courses for veterinary school. I am writing because I wanted to share with you the story of…
The Vet Report: Inclusion Body Disease
I get a zillion e-mails and calls asking advice about herp cases. This morning, I got a frantic call from a veterinarian about a large python that was showing signs of inclusion body disease. He wanted to know if there…
