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[[Image:Lizard_dysecdysis.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Dysecdysis and retained skin on digits''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
[[Image:Lizard_head.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Lizard head''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
[[Image:Lizard_nares.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Nares of an iguana''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
[[Image:Lizard_eyes.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''The eyes should be bright and clear''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
[[Image:Gecko_head.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Blepharospasm swelling, redness, in a gecko''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
Consider examining in a quiet area; the use of the oculovagal reflex will allow for a more relaxed clinical examination.
Consider examining in a quiet area; the use of the oculovagal reflex will allow for a more relaxed clinical examination.
==Skin==
==Skin==
Examine under a bright light and with a hand lens if necessary. A common problem is retained shed especially on the digits. This may cause avascular necrosis of the digits.
Examine under a bright light and with a hand lens if necessary. A common problem is retained shed especially on the digits. This may cause avascular necrosis of the digits.
Skin folding indicates dehydration, cachexia. Assessment of dehydration in reptiles is analogous to mammals. With 5-8% dehydration there is loss of skin elasticity with a wrinkled appearance. With more severe dehydration (10-15%) the eyes are sunken and the mucous membranes become dry and sticky (consider that the oral cavity of most reptiles is relatively dry compared with mammals).
Skin folding indicates dehydration, cachexia. Assessment of dehydration in reptiles is analogous to mammals. With 5-8% dehydration there is loss of skin elasticity with a wrinkled appearance. With more severe dehydration (10-15%) the eyes are sunken and the mucous membranes become dry and sticky (consider that the oral cavity of most reptiles is relatively dry compared with mammals).
==Shedding==
===Shedding===
Shedding is regular and generally occurs in a piecemeal fashion. It occurs about every 4 to 6 weeks, more often for younger animals during the peak growing seasons and more slowly during winter.
Shedding is regular and generally occurs in a piecemeal fashion. It occurs about every 4 to 6 weeks, more often for younger animals during the peak growing seasons and more slowly during winter.
==Head==
==Head==
===Rostrum===
===Rostrum===
===Eyes===
===Eyes===
* The eyes should be clear and free of discharge.
* The eyes should be clear and free of discharge.