80-90% of problems we see with a variety of reptiles can be solved with proper temperature, hydration, diet, lighting and substrate (plus or minus medications). At High Desert Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation we have developed a simple, but very effective, protocol for dealing with most sick or injured reptiles. There are four components, or steps, in the procedure and they must be done in the following order: 1. Heat 2. Hydration 3. Medication 4. Nutrition Lets look at each of the four steps in order: 1. Heat: Reptiles are ectotherms, which means they rely on an external heat source to maintain their body temperature. Body temperature determines their metabolic rate. If a reptile is below its normal body temperature it cannot absorb or metabolize fluids, medications or nutrients. That is why providing warmth is first. 2. Hydration: Without proper hydration, the reptiles cells cannot absorb or metabolize medications or nutrients. 3. Medications: Without proper body temperature and hydration, a reptile cannot absorb or metabolize medications including corticosteroids for shock, antibiotics for infections, calcium for MBD and hypocalcemic tetany, or vitamins for a common condition called hypovitaminosis A. Note: In severe cases, changing lighting and diet alone will not correct calcium or vitamin A deficiencies. 4. Nutrition: Once all the above are accomplished you can think about providing the reptile with food or nutrition. Depending on the severity of the condition, this may be by tube-feeding of dilute nutrient solutions or a return to a normal diet. We hope you find this information useful and can use it to save reptiles that are too far gone. It has worked wonders for our patients, many on the verge of death. Try it, youll like it!
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 06:01:12 +0000
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