Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice

Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson, Brendan Carmel, Bob Doneley, Deborah Monks, Robert Johnson, Brendan Carmel

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781118977675
• eBook ISBN:
  9781118977699
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicina
• Subtopic: Medicina veterinaria

A concise and practical quick reference guide to treating reptiles in first opinion veterinary practice

Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice is the ideal guide for the busy veterinarian treating reptile cases. Designed as a quick reference guide, but with comprehensive coverage of all the topics needed for first opinion practice, the book presents the principles of reptile medicine and surgery.

Richly illustrated chapters cover anatomy, physiology, behaviour, husbandry, reproduction, common diseases and disorders, and much more. Application in a clinical setting is emphasized throughout, including guidance on the physical examination, diagnostic testing and imaging, treatment options, and anaesthetic and surgical techniques.

• Practical quick-reference guide—ideal for the busy, first-opinion veterinary practitioner
• Richly illustrated in full colour throughout
• Edited by a team of highly experienced exotic animal veterinarians
• Useful reference for those studying for postgraduate certificates in exotic animal medicine 

With contributions from experts around the globe, Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice is a valuable reference offering a balanced international view of herpetological medicine. 

1
Taxonomy and Introduction to Common Species

Bob Doneley

Taxonomy

Class Reptilia is one of the largest groups of vertebrates, with over 10,000 species. It is also the oldest, evolving some 310–320 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. They share several common characteristics: all are covered with scales or scutes and are ectothermic. Most lay amniotic eggs (oviparity), although some are live bearers (viviparity, including ovovivaparity). They may be carnivorous, omnivorous or herbivorous.

Class Reptilia is made up of four orders: Squamata, Testudines, Crocodilia and Rhynchocephalia (Table 1.1). Each order is further divided into sub‐orders, families, genera and species.

Table 1.1 Reptile orders.

Order and sub‐order	Common name	Species (n)
Squamata	Squamates	9,671
Lacertilia	Lizards	5,987
Serpentes	Snakes	3,496
Amphisbaenia	Worm lizards	188
Testudines	Turtles, tortoises and terrapins	341
Crocodylia	Crocodiles, gharials, caimans and alligators	25
Rhynchocephalia	Tuataras	1

Squamata

Squamates are characterized by their scaled skin, which is shed periodically (ecdysis), and a moveable quadrate bone that allows the maxilla to open wide relative to the rest of the skull. The order is divided into three sub‐orders: Lacertilia (the lizards), Serpentes (the snakes) and Amphisbaenia (the worm lizards), although some classifications place Amphisbaenia w...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• 1 Taxonomy and Introduction to Common Species
• 2 Anatomy and Physiology of Reptiles
• 3 Behaviour in the Wild and in Captivity
• 4 Husbandry and Nutrition
• 5 Enclosure Design
• 6 Lighting
• 7 Reproduction
• 8 Reptile Paediatrics
• 9 Setting Up and Equipping a Reptile Practice
• 10 The Reptile Consultation
• 11 Diagnostic Testing
• 12 Diagnostic Imaging
• 13 Clinical Techniques and Supportive Care
• 14 Reptile Pharmacology
• 15 Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
• 16 Infectious Diseases and Immunology
• 17 Differential Diagnoses
• 18 Disorders of the Integument
• 19 Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System
• 20 Diseases of the Cardiovascular System
• 21 Diseases of the Respiratory System
• 22 Disorders of the Reproductive System
• 23 Diseases of the Urinary Tract
• 24 Diseases of the Nervous System
• 25 Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
• 26 Diseases of the Organs of Special Senses
• 27 Analgesia and Anaesthesia
• 28 Surgery
• 29 Turtle Shell Repair
• 30 Necropsy
• 31 Reptile Parasitology in Health and Disease
• 32 Nursing the Reptile Patient
• 33 Euthanasia
• Appendix 1: Formulary
• Appendix 2: Reference Intervals for Commonly Kept Reptile Species
• Index
• End User License Agreement