Emergencies

Unfortunately, there may be a time where you have to deal with an emergency involving your pet. It is essential to know how to recognize and deal with such emergencies before they arise and to know who to contact when they do. Immediate veterinary attention can mean the difference between life and death for a very sick or injured reptile. Getting your pet to the veterinary clinic (where all the necessary equipment is on hand) is quicker and gives it a better chance than calling the veterinarian out to your home. The most important thing to remember in an emergency is don’t panic! This could cause further anxiety for an already frightened animal and it wastes valuable time.

First, make sure your reptile is registered with a local veterinary practice and keep their telephone number in a safe place. Your veterinarian may use a different practice for their out of hours emergencies (when the practice closes), so it is important to know what telephone number to call, and if your usual veterinary practice is closed where the emergency practice is located.

It may be worth considering pet insurance for your pet, some emergency and lifesaving treatment may be expensive, and it may not always be possible to have the money to hand to accommodate this. If you feel this may be something you would like, please speak to your veterinarian as they can help you decide and give you a better idea of the cost.

To be able to spot an emergency you need to know what signs are normal in your reptile in terms of temperament, habits, appetite, urination/defecation and stance. As a matter of routine you need to check on your pet several times a day. This way, you will notice signs of developing problems at an early stage. It may be worth recording your pet’s behavior, how much they are eating, drinking and going to the toilet. Weighing your pet regularly and having that information to hand can be very helpful for the veterinarian and makes sure that your reptile gets the best care possible.

You should always check for the following signs:

• Drooling/smell from the mouth.
• Watery eyes.
• Sneezing/discharge from the nose.
• Lumps around the eye or jaw.
• Diarrhea.
• A normal appetite.
• Wounds on the body.
• Drinking more or less.
• Interested in their surroundings.
• Bloating around stomach.
• Making unusual noise when being picked up.

If you notice anything different about your pet’s behavior or appearance, you should call your veterinarian promptly for an appointment. A head to toe inspection should be carried out every day.

Common emergencies that you should call an emergency veterinarian about include collapse, hypothermia (high body temperature), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), fitting, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, bleeding wounds, fractured limbs or spine, or egg binding/follicular stasis.

Collapse
Any reptile that is unable to stand or move about is extremely ill and must see an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible, day or night. Your veterinarian may want to perform diagnostic tests, such as blood tests to try and ascertain the reason/s.

Hypothermia
Reptiles with a low body temperature are likely to be weak and lethargic, it can often be difficult to assess their temperature at home, it is usually indicated when you are aware of them being within a colder climate for long periods of time, eg when the thermostat is broken). Please be aware that certain species require colder periods to allow hibernation, eg some tortoise). Make sure that you remove them from the cold environment and place them somewhere warmer. It is very important to warm them up slowly! Call your veterinarian immediately and be prepared to take them into the practice.

Dyspnea
If your pet is breathing abnormally or struggling to breathe, this may be in the form of using a lot of effort, respiratory noise or exaggerated movement of their chest and abdomen. They may also have a blue tinge to their gums and mouth. This is because they are not receiving enough oxygen and are in need of emergency veterinary treatment. They may also go the other way and stop breathing or reduce effort, this is usually accompanied with other signs listed on this page. There are many possible reasons as to why a reptile can become dyspnoeic and it is imperative to get your pet to your veterinary practice immediately, as the condition can be rapidly fatal. Please be aware that some reptiles can hold their breath for a very long time if they are stressed, if you are concerned it is always best to phone your veterinarian for advice.

Fitting
Seeing your reptile fitting can be extremely distressing to see and your pet will not know what they are doing. Great care is needed so as not to get accidently bitten, do not restrict the movement of your pet and place them somewhere dark and quiet which is safe, and they will not be able to injure themselves.

If your pet is fitting for longer than 30 seconds or has more than two fits you need to call your veterinarian straight away. It is potentially fatal to suffer from extended fits or repeated episode, especially in quick succession. If you think your reptile may have eaten something or had access to something that may be causing the fits, take it with you to the veterinary practice as this will help them to treat your pet.

Vomiting
Reptiles do not usually vomit, if you believe that your pet has then they must be taken to the veterinary practice straight away as this could indicate that they are very ill and it is possibly fatal in a short period of time.

Severe diarrhea
Reptiles that have severe diarrhea (liquid/watery faeces produced in pools) and show signs of pain (see below) or a lack of interest in food and their surroundings, should be taken to the veterinary practice promptly. Reptiles with severe diarrhea are at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Pain
Recognizing pain in reptiles can be very difficult. It may be obvious in the sense that they may not want to use a limb or they may not show any interest in food or their surroundings. They could be more or less vocal. If there are any changes in behavior then these should be reported to your veterinarian as they could indicate pain, often it can be slight changes over time. There may not be many obvious signs that your pet is in pain, therefore it may not be obvious to you at first, the main thing to look out for is any changes in behavior. There are many possible causes of pain. Call your veterinarian for advice.

Bleeding wounds
Direct pressure should be applied to the wounds by clean, washed hands or a clean cloth or gauze pad. If the bleeding continues, contact your veterinarian. Your pet may require surgery to have the wounds cleaned and sutured together.

Fractured limbs or spine
Fractures can occur if a reptile is dropped, or falls, from a height. There may be obvious signs of injury, eg your pet may have difficulty moving around or be lame on one leg. These injuries need urgent attention – call your veterinarian immediately.

Egg binding/follicular stasis
This issue is only for females, some reptiles can be difficult to sex, it is always worth having someone experienced sex your reptile, they can also be genetically tested, if this is something you would like please speak to your veterinarian about this. This is where the reptile is unable to pass eggs or is producing follicles which are not maturing into eggs. They will show typical egg laying behavior (digging, hiding a lot, reduced appetite) for long periods of time. They may stop eating and certain species you may be able to feel the eggs inside of them. This can be due to many reasons and will need to be taken to the veterinarian for this to be treated. Treatment can range depending on what the original cause is, from change in environment, hormone injections or surgery.

If your usual veterinary practice is closed, they may use another practice that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to see their emergency cases. Never turn up without calling first as the veterinarians may be able to offer advice over the phone or may need you to come down at a designated time if they are already dealing with an emergency. If your veterinary practice do use another practice for their emergencies, it is a good idea to know in advance where this is and how long it will take you to get there.

After calling the veterinary practice and knowing where you are going, carefully place your reptile in their secure carrier, with heat if possible. If you are driving it is a wise idea to take someone with you so they can monitor your pet on the journey. If you don’t drive you will need to arrange a taxi or a lift from a friend.

It is a good idea to have a plan thought out for what you would do in an emergency, both with the scenarios of attending your usual veterinary practice during working hours or an emergency provider.

If you are seeing a veterinarian at an emergency clinic or outside your practices normal working hours, then there will be an increased cost for the consultation and treatment. You are likely to be expected to pay this at the time of the consultation, so be sure to ask this when you call to arrange the appointment and take a method of payment with you.