ABSTRACT: In small animal first opinion practice we occasionally see patients of the furless and legless variety. Often portrayed as the ‘stuff of nightmares’ our serpent friends have a bad reputation, and, for most, are not at the top of the list of our favourite animals. Unfortunately, the majority of the reptilian patients that grace our surgeries have fallen foul of poor basic husbandry, which is left for us to discover and fix. This article aims to give a basic guide to hospitalising some of the more common reptile species seen in veterinary practice and addresses the essential questions that need to be asked on admission, as taking a detailed history of the husbandry is an essential part of the diagnostic process.

Author

Adina Valentine RVN c&GCertVNES VN

Adina started working in private practice in 2004 after working for the Horses and Ponies Protection Association, she then changed from horses to having an exotic bias. Once registered as an RVN she started travelling abroad, working for animal welfare charities across the UK and Asia.

Adina is a committee member of the Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Nurses Workshop (ZEVN), a clinical coach in practice and is currently studying advanced anaesthesia concepts whilst working towards a Diploma in Animal Ethics and Welfare. Adina now works for the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in North East Lincolnshire.

Keywords: POTZ; thermo gradient; air flow; restraint; reptile

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 31 (03) • March 2016 pp83-87

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