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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