Care Of Reptiles Research Articles

A surgical approach to the reptile patient

Reptile surgery, as well as owner expectations for the care of reptiles, is constantly evolving. It is essential that the unique anatomical and physiological differences between reptiles and mammal patients, as well as between reptiles of different groups, be fully understood before undertaking any surgery. All reptile patients should undergo a full clinical examination and be stabilised wherever possible before surgery, with the patient's preferred optimum temperature being ensured pre-, peri- and postoperatively to optimise drug metabolism and wound healing. It is important to optimise patient and surgeon positioning, use appropriately sized suture material, and maintain haemostasis, magnification and lighting to improve surgical technique, regardless of the procedure or organ system being operated on.

SIGNS OF PARENTAL BEHAVIOR IN LIOLAEMUS ELONGATUS (SAURIA: LIOLAEMIDAE) OF NEUQUÉN, ARGENTINA

Abstract Parental care in reptiles has been correlated with cold climates and harsh environments. We investigated whether behavioral patterns indicating parental care occurred in the lizard, Liolaemus elongatus, a viviparous species found on rocky outcrops of the Argentinean Patagonia. Five pregnant females were captured during the austral summer and brought to the laboratory for observations. The females were filmed for short periods of time during six days after the birth of their young. During that time, the mothers and offspring were presented with three predatory stimuli, a Diplolaemus sexcinctus, a male Liolaemus elongatus, and a stuffed hawk, Elanus leucurus. Their responses were recorded as well as the distance between mothers and offspring during the experiments and when no stimuli were presented. Except for one female, mothers constructed burrows in which the neonates were born. Mothers and their offspring occupied the same shelter for the whole period of observation. When presented with predato...

USE OF A NERVE LOCATOR TO FACILITATE ADMINISTRATION OF MANDIBULAR NERVE BLOCKS IN CROCODILIANS

As part of a clinical workup of dental problems in a large crocodilian collection, mandibular nerve blocks were performed in the animals. A nerve locator was used to facilitate placement of the nerve blocks in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), and a dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis). Provision of analgesia is a frequently underused aspect of patient care in reptiles. Use of a nerve stimulator provides an objective measurement of nerve conduction blockade and may be useful in exotic species in which anatomic landmarks for nerve block placement are not well established.

Parental care in the long-tailed skink, Mabuya longicaudata, on a tropical Asian island

Parental care has been reported in more than 140 species of reptiles (about 3%), but few records unambiguously demonstrate the selective value of that care. I experimentally investigated the influence of maternal attendance on survival of eggs in the long-tailed skink, Mabuya longicaudata, on Orchid Island, Taiwan, by placing sympatric reptiles, both predators and nonpredators, into nests. Without maternal care, most lizard eggs were eaten by the egg-eating snake, Oligodon formosanus. Female lizards with eggs attacked snakes more often and escaped from snakes less often than did females without eggs. Survival of eggs was lower when females were removed from clutches than when they were left in attendance. All egg loss in unprotected nests on Orchid Island was due to predation by O. formosanus. Size of snakes did not determine whether lizards abandoned egg-free nests or nests with eggs when attacked. Females that attacked egg predators had larger clutches than those that did not attack. Females recognized sympatric lizards and did not attack species that do not prey on eggs or on M. longicaudata, but recognized the predatory snake Elaphe carinata and escaped when that species entered the nest. These findings emphasize the ecological importance of an increased understanding of the function of parental care in reptiles.

Comparison between tail and jugular venipuncture techniques for blood sample collection in common chameleons ( Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

The most common technique used for collecting blood samples from chameleons, ventral tail caudal venipuncture (Reptile care. An Atlas of Diseases and Treatments, Vol. II, T.F.H. Publication, New Jersey, 1991) sometimes presents undesired effects. Here we compared tail versus jugular vein venipuncture techniques in the common chameleon. In the first experiment, we collected 0.25% of the chameleon’s body mass in blood from either tail or jugular sites in size-matched pairs of animals to check for secondary effects. In a second experiment, we measured white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), total plasma protein and uric acid in blood samples collected from both sites in the same individual. We found few secondary effects following the use of either venipuncture site although skin darkening was observed in few specimens when using the ventral tail vein. Blood profiles were similar between samples. The repeatability of measurements was similar in RBC and WBC counts and remarkably low (<0.90). Despite the few differences recorded, we recommend jugular venipunction in chameleons as skin darkening is unlikely, blood volumes are easily obtained and collection time is shorter.

Mattison, C. (1987): The care of reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Revised edition, 1-317, figs. 1-72, colour plates 1-48. £ 12.95 (US $ 22.50). Blandford Press, Link House, West Street, Poole, Dorset BH 15 1 LL, England

Mattison, C. (1987): The care of reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Revised edition, 1-317, figs. 1-72, colour plates 1-48. £ 12.95 (US $ 22.50). Blandford Press, Link House, West Street, Poole, Dorset BH 15 1 LL, England