Basic reptile husbandry, history taking and clinical examination
- Stephen Divers
Stephen Divers graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1994 and entered mixed, predominantly small animal, practice in Dunton Green, Kent, where he offers a first opinion and referral service for exotic pets and zoo animals. He is the current Veterinary Liaison Officer for the British Chelonia Group, UK liaison for the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and an active member of the British Veterinary Zoological Society. His special reptilian interests include diagnostic endoscopy, urogenital disease, dermatology and boid reproduction.
Abstract
AS reptiles continue to gain popularity as pets, their owners' expectations of their veterinary care are increasing. The expansion in the general knowledge of reptile husbandry, medicine and surgery has resulted in the provision of a comparable level of veterinary care for reptilian patients as is already available for dogs and cats. The aim of this article is to introduce the practitioner to reptiles, and to provide details on taking a comprehensive history and performing a thorough clinical examination that will point the clinician towards further laboratory and ancillary tests and that previously elusive diagnosis.
- British Veterinary Association. All rights reserved.
