Supportive care during illness and emergencies may be necessary as well as aetiology-specific therapy.
Environment
Since reptiles have metabolic rates about one tenth that of mammals or birds, thermal support is vital for ill lizards. It is necessary to maintain critical cases at the upper end of their preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ) with a temperature gradient.
Green iguanas should be kept at between 30-38°C with high humidity. Desert species the same temperature but drier. Temperate species are kept at a slightly lower temperature. When information on the POTZ is unavailable most ill reptiles will do well at about 32°C.
Fluids
- Fluids that may be given PO include Hartmann's solution. The stomach can take 1.5% -2.5% of the body weight at any one time.
- SC fluids are useful in mild to moderately dehydrated patients and those that will not allow oral access. Severe dehydration requires fluids to be given IV or IOs.
- Fluids given parenterally can be one part Hartmann's, one part 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline and one part sterile water. Maintenance is 15 (large reptiles) to 25 (small reptiles) ml/kg/day. For severe dehydration up to 40 ml/kg/day q12h can be administered.
Nutrition
Once the patient is rehydrated nutritional support can be initiated. It is generally recommended that nutritional support be provided to a patient that has lost 10% bodyweight acutely or 20% chronically.
- Nutrition can be supplemented in a variety of ways including syringe feeding, force feeding, orogastric tube and pharyngostomy tube.
- Feed herbivorous lizards one part alfalfa pellets blended for several minutes with two to four parts water.
Literature Search
Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).
Lizard Supportive Care publications
Reptile Analgesia publications
Analgesia in exotics: a review and update. Cracknell, J.; Roberts, V.; British Veterinary Zoological Society, Romford, UK, British Veterinary Zoological Society Proceedings of the November Meeting 2007. The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Nottingham, UK, 10th-11th November, 2007. Recent advances in comparative medicine, 2007, pp 15-24, 13 ref. - Full Text Article
Reptile analgesia: is laughter the best medicine for pain? Sladky, K. K.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 16-20 January 2010, 2010, pp 1708-1710, 12 ref. - Full Text Article
Pool noodles: an indispensable tool in exotic practice. Nevarez, J. G.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 16-20 January 2010, 2010, pp 1669-1670 - Full Text Article
Pharyngostomy tube placement in lizards. Coke, R. L.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 22, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2008, 2008, pp 1739-1740, 2 ref. - Full Text Article
Diets for tube feeding or force feeding in reptile medicine. Koelle, P.; Kienzle, E.; Baer, C. K. ; Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, Chester Heights, USA, Proceedings of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, Thirteenth Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 23-27 April, 2006, 2006, pp 23-25, 7 ref. - Full Text Article
Meloxicam and reptiles - a practical approach to analgesia. Hernandez-Divers, S. J.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 20, Orlando, Florida, USA, 7-11 January, 2006, 2006, pp 1636-1637, 11 ref. - Full Text Article
Concepts in fluid therapy for the sick reptile. Rudloff, E.; Eastern States Veterinary Association, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 19, Orlando, Florida, USA, 8-12 January, 2005, 2005, pp 1302-1304 - Full Text Article
How to use honey/sugar bandages in reptiles. Rudloff, E.; Eastern States Veterinary Association, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 19, Orlando, Florida, USA, 8-12 January, 2005, 2005, pp 1307 - Full Text Article
