Category: Ask A Vet
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 e [...]
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 sch [...]
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 [...]
My Leopard Gecko Is Not Eating
My leopard gecko ran away and now that I found her again, she won't eat. Why is this? [...]
Bearded Dragon Will Not Eat
My bearded dragon recently stopped eating and I was wondering what would cause this? [...]
Snake Winter Anorexia
Do ball pythons typically go through a hibernation state during the winter? [...]
Chinese Water Dragon With Mouth Lump
My female Chinese water dragon has a strange whitish lump on the outside of her mouth. [...]
Giving Reptiles Medication Via Feeders
Q. Can we give medication to our reptiles by putting the meds inside feeders, such as a pinky mouse?
Dan Folsum
v [...]
Reptile Injury Or Metabolic Bone Disease
We have a female collard lizard, which we have had now for four weeks (juvenile). About one week ago, we noticed her front right hand to be extremely [...]
African Fat-Tailed Gecko's Tail Not
Why is my African fat-tailed gecko lethargic and eating less? [...]
Anorexic Leopard Gecko
I was told my lizards have worms and was prescribed Panacur, which I’ve administered now for a week without any change in condition. What else can I d [...]
Basilisk Belly Irritation
What is the red irritation on my basilisk's belly? [...]
Bearded Dragon Seizures
What causes my bearded dragon to suffer seizures, and how can I prevent them? [...]
Bearded Dragon Won't Eat
My bearded dragon won’t eat, sleeps a lot and drags his back legs when he walks. [...]
Chameleon Not Using Its Tongue
My lizard's stool has white strings and recently there are signs of blood in his stool. What is wrong? [...]
Monitor Lizard Nails
I live in South Africa where there are no specialized reptile veterinarians that can assist me with my monitor lizard (Varanus albigularis) problem [...]
Constipated Lizard
My leopard gecko is sick. After taking him to a local vet, we are now warm-water soaking him, force feeding him, and providing a laxative. He still, [...]
Coughing Lizard
Q: I have a male green iguana and he has a cough. Can they get colds from humans? How can this be treated? I am very concerned and care for him as [...]
