Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Reptile Adoption and Care w/Stephanie Beiser!! May 17- 23 [ ]

This month we are excited to welcome Stephanie Beiser from Mid-Michigan Reptile Rescue! Stephanie will be happy to answer any questions regarding reptile adoption and care.

A little about Stephanie:

Based in Bay City, MI, we've been involved in rescue for about 12 years. It started with the rehabilitation of one green iguana, at which time we realized how widespread the ignorance towards this species was, and how great the demand was for proper rescue and educational resources. That very first iguana passed away in January of 2002, but we continue to take in upwards of 2 dozen rescues per year, including iguanas, other lizards, snakes, and a variety of other exotics. We currently work with many county animal controls, the Michigan Humane Society, the Michigan Herpetological Society, the Chicago Herpetological Society, and the IRCF, as well as many other reptile and exotics rescue groups.

Welcome Stephanie!!

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:15 pm Post subject:

Welcome Stephanie

I have some trouble maintaining the humidity for my chameleon - what do you suggest for maintaining a higher humidity? (I have a mesh enclosure) Also for monitoring levels, do you recommend a particular gauge?

Stephanie's Answer:

Hi Gary - There's a couple of different methods that are pretty successful for keeping humidity up for these kinds of creatures. Provided your chameleon already has a dripper, as is usually recommended, the next best way of upping humidity in an open enclosure is the addition of a mister or fogger. These are manufactured by a couple of different companies that sell reptile supplies, and can be set on a timer to activate however often is needed to maintain the humidity level you desire.

Another option, although not quite as effective, is to set up a dish of water with a small aerator - this will up the rate of evaporation and as a result your humidity level. This can be set up with a simple pump and air stone or bubbler, which you can find in any petshop that carries aquarium supplies.

As far as humidity gauges, I would recommend picking up a digital gauge. These are much more accurate than the wheel-style gauges typically sold for reptile use. They can be found at almost any home-supply store and usually run $20-$30.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 12:27 pm Post subject:

Is there a recommended schedule for herp vet vists? We have 2 corn snakes who are 5 years old. They don't currently see the vet on any regular schedule. We do have a herp specialist but he does not recommend any particular schedule. He trusts me to know when they need to come in. Should I be making annual exam appointments for them?

Thanks!

Stephanie's Answer:

Our personal vet recommends yearly wellness checks for reptiles, the same as with dogs and cats. It's important for your vet to recognize what is normal and healthy for your pet - this can make diagnosis of a problem much easier if and when something happens.

Also, for many reptiles such as iguanas and other lizards who are prone to issues such as metabolic bone disease, it's a good idea for a vet to have a history of healthy bloodwork. We always recommend having a full panel done at least once when the pet is healthy, so that if an issue arises the vet will have an example of that specific animals "healthy" levels to compare new results to.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject: Senior Reptile Care?

I have a three-toed box turtle who I adopted about 20 years ago. Is there anything I should be concerned about and watchful for as he enters senior status?

Also, generally, what kinds of issues should someone interested in adopting a senior reptile be aware of or look out for?

Thanks!!! Smile

Stephanie's Answer:

We've found that our most common issue with older turtles is overgrown beaks. It's always a good idea with older boxies to have your veterinarian check and make sure that it is wearing properly and evenly, as overgrowth or uneven growth can lead to problems with eating properly.

All senior pets will have some special concerns. Your best bet is to make sure you have a veterinarian who is knowledgeable and comfortable with the animal that you choose to keep. Regular yearly bloodwork should be done on all seniors if the species allows it, as it can be an early indicator of metabolic bone disease or infections, even before physical symptoms start to show. Also, make sure you talk to your veterinarian about any special dietary concerns or supplementation that is appropriate for that particular species.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 6:59 pm Post subject:

my sister is interesetd in adopting firebelly toads, she doesn't want to buy them and was actually looking at your rescue in michigan, she lives in IL. She has a ball python, obviously quite different from amphibians, but she understands the unique needs of such animals. she isn't rushing to get any and has done tons of research, she chose firebellies because of their rep as a good "starter" species. if you could give me some pointers has the best way of adopting or if you know of any needing homes, so i could pass the information on, that would be great.

Stephanie's Answer:

We do have a few adoptable firebellies and we will adopt out of state, but generally we will not ship amphibians because they tend to stress quite easily. If she wants to look into adopting locally, the first place to start would be with local herpetological societies - Depending on where she is in IL, I would suggest starting with the Chicago Herpetological Society, which has a very good adoption program. Another option would be an arranged transport. Most states have a network of volunteers who will help drive rescue and adoptable animals to where they need to go, and these groups will work with most reputable rescues. We've had animals moved both to us and to new adoptive homes from as far away as Texas with the help of volunteers!

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject:

I have an eastern hognose who refuses to eat! I believe he was a WC ( Rolling Eyes

), and from what I understand they are hard to get started even as captive bred snakes. He seems healthy and a good weight- yet I can't seem to get him to take f/t pinkies, rat pups, or mice even when frog-scented. Any advice on what I'm doing wrong? I've had him for 4 weeks and tried feeding multiple times.

Stephanie's Answer:

If an eastern hognose is going to be acclimated to a rodent-based diet, it is best to try scenting with toads - either bufo americanus or bufo fowleri. However, I would never recommend trying to feed an eastern hoggie a diet of only rodents. They're simply not built for it and it will lead to fatty liver disease. Toads, frogs and plethodontid salamanders should be offered as the majority of the diet.

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 6:15 am Post subject: Suggested Resources?

Thanks so much for the answer above Stephanie!

I often have friends who ask what they should look out for when adopting reptiles. Are there any "trouble signs" you'd suggest potential adopters look out for that may suggest the reptile needs a vet? Also, are there any resources online you would suggest for new reptile adopters?

Thanks again!

Stephanie's Answer:

There are certainly certain things to look out for health-wise, and this can vary greatly for different species. In turtles and tortoises, one of the most common health issues is respiratory infections - check for runny eyes or nostrils. In snakes, stuck sheds and low body weight or a prominent spine can indicate a number of problems. In amphibians, check for any skin lesions or sores. For most lizard species, skin issues and abscesses can be a problem, so check the area around the mouth, feet, and joints for unusual lumps, bumps, or scabs. Swollen joints, limbs, or jaw can also be indicative of metabolic bone disease. All reptiles should be checked over well for the presence of any external parasites - mites especially tend to congregate around the eyes, mouth, and in folds of skin around joints. Low weight in any species can be indicative of internal parasites, feeding problems, or a number of other heath issues.

All potential adopters should attempt to be well-versed in care and husbandry for the species they are interested in - for care information, I would recommend both anapsid.org and kingsnake.com as good starting points.

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