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One of the more interesting and unique surgeries we perform is the removal of a bladder stone (called a cystotomy) from California Desert Tortoises (CDT's), along with various other tortoise species like African spurred tortoises (Sulcatas) and leopard tortoises. This page shows how we treat Tortoise Bladder Stones (Uroliths) It is usually a problem in captive tortoises, but it has been diagnosed in wild tortoises on occasion. The stones tend to be smaller in wild tortoises. Some of these stones grow to tremendous size, and it is a wonder that these animals can survive with such a problem. Other animal species

Introduction Chinese Water Dragons are fun pets that require very specific environmental conditions. When these conditions are not met problems can occur, in this case the pet was unable to lay its eggs and was feeling ill. This page on Chinese Water Dragon Spay will give you all of the details. You can learn more about our standard of care of sick reptiles from the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. Because these eggs were becoming toxic it was decided to remove them in version of a surgery called an ovariohysterectomy (OVH), more commonly known as a spay.  This surgery

Introduction Our staff is very comfortable working with the wide variety of ill snakes that we care for Snakes are frequently presented to us with scale conditions. In most cases there are obvious husbandry problems that caused the condition. It is imperative to know the proper temperature, humidity, and substrate necessary for optimum health for each species of snake. Far too often we encounter problems that are easily corrected with only a little bit of effort on an owner's part. Information on the proper environment for these animals is available through books, reptile associations, and the World Wide Web- ignorance

Introduction Reptiles get cancerous tumors in numerous locations in their body. This page describes how we treated an oral tumor, called a squamous cell carcinoma, in a Tegu. Squamous cell carcinomas also occur in mammals, especially the ears of white cats that are exposed to the sun. We have a page describing this disease in a cat- click here to link to it. You can learn more about our standard of care of sick reptiles from the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. Cause It is hard to know what causes this tumor in tegu's, which is par for the

Introduction This page shows two snakes that are constipated, called a Snake Impaction. The first one required surgical removal of the impacted feces (fecalith).  The second died and was necropsied. The symptoms of an impacted snake are a lack of appetite along with lack of bowel movement for many weeks. This is a serious condition that could result in the death of the snake if not treated, which is exactly what happened to the second snake. Medical therapy, consisting of warm water baths, lubricants, and fluids have not helped at all. Surgery is a last resort in these cases because of