Snakes

Poster presentation from BSAVA Congress 2023. Posters are presented as supplied and have not been edited.

Respiratory disease is common in reptiles, especially snakes and chelonians. A large part of this is due to inappropriate husbandry and certain anatomical features of the reptile respiratory system. This chapter covers anatomy and physiology, clinical evaluation, diagnosis, upper and lower respiratory tract disease, and summarizes management and therapeutics of respiratory disease.

There are small number of reptiles and amphibians indigenous to the British Isles, including grass snakes, slow worms, sand lizards, common frogs, natterjack toads and palmate newts, as well as some introduced species, such as the edible frog and red-eared terrapins. Veterinary surgeons may occasionally be presented with reptiles and amphibians that are sick or injured. This chapter covers: ecology and biology, anatomy and physiology; capture, handling and transportation; clinical assessment; first aid and hospitalization; anaesthesia and analgesia; specific conditions; therapeutics; husbandry; rearing of young reptiles and amphibians; rehabilitation and release; and legal considerations.

This chapter provides the need-to-know information on snakes:

• Biology
• Husbandry
• Handling and restraint
• Diagnostic approach
• Common conditions
• Supportive care
• Anaesthesia and analgesia
• Common surgical procedures
• Euthanasia
• Drug formulary.