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Many owners fail to appreciate the importance of preventive medicine and the role of the veterinary surgeon as part of it.  A preventive medicine program is an important part of sound husbandry practice. This is especially important in exhibitions where larger numbers are kept although it is still important for the pet owner with only one or two reptiles.

Many owners fail to appreciate the importance of preventive medicine and the role of the veterinary surgeon as part of it.  A preventive medicine program includes placing all new reptiles in separate areas for at least three months, and performing regular veterinary examinations and screens during this quarantine period and at regular intervals. Quarantine allows you to record normal patterns of eating, defaecating, weight gain and behaviour for each individual and to provide optimum species-specific husbandry. This is especially important in exhibitions where larger numbers are kept although it is still important for the pet owner with only one or two reptiles.

Prevention is simple, low tech, and cheap. On the other hand, treatment is often complex, requires high technology and is usually expensive.

*Prevention = simple, low tech, cheap

*Treatment = complex, high tech, expensive

==Stock selection==

==Stock selection==

It is important to start with physically healthy (and hopefully genetically sound) animals and know their species-specific requirements.  Appropriate identification is necessary, especially for reproduction.

It is important to start with physically healthy (and hopefully genetically sound) animals and know their species-specific requirements.  Appropriate identification is necessary, especially for reproduction.

==Quarantine==

==Quarantine==

The quarantine room should at a distance from the main collection and there should be no air exchange between them.  Once anyone has entered the quarantine area they should not enter the area where the others are kept.

The quarantine room should at a distance from the main collection and there should be no air exchange between them.  Once anyone has entered the quarantine area they should not enter the area where the others are kept.

===Procedures===

===Procedures===

*Upon entering quarantine lizards and snakes should be identified and measurements taken, including weight and snout to vent length

*Upon entering quarantine, lizards and snakes should be identified and measurements taken, including weight and snout to [[Vent|vent]] length.  Take a [[Lizard and Snake Taking a History|history]] of the animal.

*Daily observation to identify any problems (anatomical and behavioural)

*Daily observations to identify any problems (anatomical and [[Lizard Behaviour|behavioural]]).

*Physical examination by a veterinary surgeon

*Physical examination by a veterinary surgeon (see [[Lizard Physical Examination|lizard exam]] and [[Snake Physical Examination|snake exams]]).

*Faecal examination - most wild snakes have parasites

*Faecal examination - most wild snakes have parasites.

*Haematology and biochemistry to establish a minimum data base

*[[Lizard and Snake Haematology|Haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemistry]] to establish a minimum data base.

*Serology if thought appropriate e.g. ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV)

*Serology if thought appropriate (e.g. [[Ophidian Paramyxovirus|ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV)]]).

==Veterinary involvement==

==Veterinary involvement==

Veterinary involvement in a preventive medicine program should include regular screening as well as disease investigation.  Regular screening can include annual physical examinations, haematology and biochemical tests, faecal tests and other tests as deemed necessary.  Regular screening of prey for infectious disease is also worthwhile considering.  Disease investigation includes examinations as necessary and necropsies. Isolation of any infectious organism can be used for autogenous vaccination production.

Veterinary involvement in a preventive medicine program should include regular screening as well as disease investigation.  Regular screening can include annual physical examinations, [[Lizard and Snake Haematology|haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemical tests]], faecal tests and other tests as deemed necessary.  Regular screening of prey for infectious disease is also worthwhile considering.  Disease investigation includes examinations as necessary and necropsies. Isolation of any infectious organism can be used for autogenous vaccination production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[[Category:Lizard_Husbandry|Q]][[Category:Snake_Husbandry|Q]]

[[Category:Lizard_Husbandry|Q]][[Category:Snake_Husbandry|Q]]