Reptile

The most common reptile brought to our hospital is the green iguana. The primary reason owners bring in their ill green iguana is because it has developed a disease called metabolic bone disease (MBD), also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP), or just secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP). This page shows how we diagnose and treat Iguana Bone Disease (NSHP, MBD). This Iggie decided he just wanted to hang out and drink our free coffee This big boy shows how much bigger they can get. Unfortunately, some of these male iguanas are this large because they were fed a diet too high in protein

Introduction This page shows how we diagnose and treat an Iguana Bladder Stone's case. Common Green Iguana's occasionally have a problem with bladder stones (the medical term for bladder stone is urolithiasis or cystic calculi). It is difficult to determine exactly why they have this problem. Just like in tortoises, the bladder stone can be very large. In addition to learning about the surgical removal of a bladder stone in an Iguana in this page, we also have pages that show a bladder stone removal in a dog and a tortoise. The tortoise page on removing a bladder stone is particularly interesting.

In this fun page you get an opportunity to guess the species of reptile by looking at a radiographs (x-rays) taken at the Long Beach Animal Hospital. Some of them are normal, some of the pets were ill, and some were taken during emergencies. Some of them have links to learn more about why they were taken and how they were treated. You can learn more about our standard of care of sick reptiles from the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. Most of our reptile patients sit still and are easy to radiograph. Not quite for this 120 pound

Introduction  Nutritional Secondary HyperParathyroidism (NSHP), which is one of the Metabolic Bone Diseases (MBD), occurs in many reptiles that are non-carnivorous. This page talks about Chameleon Bone Disease, although it is most common in the green Iguana. We have a detailed page on this disease in iguanas. What is Chameleon Bone Disease? In this disease the body is absorbing excess amounts of calcium from the bones in order to maintain a proper blood calcium level. This proper calcium level is vital to most of the metabolic processes that occur, so the body takes from the bones and gives to the

This page shows a case in a Leopard Gecko tail amputation (do you recognize him? His picture is at the entrance to the reptile section). It is not uncommon for reptiles to be presented with trauma to either the tail or one of the digits of the feet. In most cases they are brought in by their owners after the disease is well established and it is impossible to salvage the traumatized area. You can learn more about our standard of care of sick reptiles from the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. Treatment This is the tail upon presentation