Reptile Diseases
Understanding common reptile diseases helps keep your pet healthy. This guide covers symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention strategies for lizards, snakes, turtles, and other reptiles.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
Symptoms
- •Soft or deformed bones
- •Difficulty moving
- •Swollen limbs
- •Tremors
- •Loss of appetite
- •Fractures
Causes
Calcium deficiency, often due to inadequate UVB lighting, poor diet, or incorrect calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
Treatment
Calcium supplementation, proper UVB lighting, dietary correction, and supportive care.
Prevention
Proper UVB lighting, calcium supplementation, balanced diet, and correct temperature gradients.
When to See a Vet
If reptile shows bone deformities, difficulty moving, or tremors.
Respiratory Infections
Symptoms
- •Open-mouth breathing
- •Nasal discharge
- •Wheezing
- •Loss of appetite
- •Lethargy
- •Bubbles from mouth or nose
Causes
Bacterial infections, often due to incorrect temperatures, humidity, or poor hygiene.
Treatment
Antibiotics, correcting environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), and supportive care.
Prevention
Proper temperature gradients, correct humidity levels, good hygiene, and reducing stress.
When to See a Vet
Immediately if reptile shows breathing difficulties or nasal discharge.
Stuck Shed
Symptoms
- •Patches of old skin remaining
- •Discolored skin
- •Restricted movement
- •Loss of toes or tail tip
- •Poor appetite
Causes
Incomplete shedding, often due to low humidity, dehydration, or underlying health issues.
Treatment
Increasing humidity, warm soaks, gentle removal of stuck skin, and addressing underlying causes.
Prevention
Proper humidity levels, providing rough surfaces for rubbing, and ensuring adequate hydration.
When to See a Vet
If shed is stuck around eyes, toes, or tail tip, or if it persists.