Reptiles as Pets

Avian + Exotics Center of Nashville cares for different species of reptiles, including Snakes, Boas, Pythons, Turtles, Tortoises, Dragons, Lizards, Basilisks, Iguanas, Geckoes, Chameleons, Crocodilians, and Monitors.

Lizard Reptile Pet

Care Recommendations

  • Complete Physical Examination Every 6-12 Months

  • Yearly Fecal Examination For Parasites and Bacterial Overgrowth

Other Available Services

  • Hospitalization and Surgery

  • Spaying, Neutering as needed

  • Sex Determination

  • Boarding

  • Radiography

Common Diseases for Iguanas

  • Intestinal – diarrhea, constipation, impaction, parasites

  • Skin conditions – mites, abscesses, burns

  • Metabolic bone disease

  • Reproductive – egg binding in females, prolapsed hemipenis in males

  • Kidney disease

Preventive Care for Iguanas

  • Routine physical examination every 6-12 months

  • Annual intestinal parasite screen

  • Blood analysis every 1-3 years, dependant on age

  • Spaying and neutering

Common Diseases for Bearded Dragons

  • Metabolic Bone Disease – caused by Vitamin D and calcium deficiency

  • Skin infections, abscesses

  • Dental and jaw infections

  • Egg binding

  • Intestinal parasites

  • Anorexia

  • Trauma

Preventive Care for Bearded Dragons

  • Dragons will defecate in their water dish. Provide fresh water for drinking and soaking, cleaned daily

  • Physical examination every 6-12 months

  • Annual fecal examination for parasites

  • Provide UVB light to allow for vitamin D and calcium absorption – replace every 6 months

  • Feed vegetables, fruits, flowers, and small insects

  • Blood tests recommended every 1-3 years

Common Diseases for Turtles and Tortoises

  • Decreased appetite or anorexia is a very common symptom of disease

  • Malnutrition – improper diet, infections, impaction, overgrowth of beak

  • Shell deformities – trauma, genetic, improper nutrition

  • Liver and kidney disease

  • Metabolic bone disease

  • Trauma

  • Infections – eyes, ears, bladder, (bacterial, viral, fungal)

  • Respiratory – infection, pneumonia

  • Urinary – bladder stones

  • Reproductive – egg binding

  • Parasitism

  • Tumors

Preventive Care for Turtles and Tortoises

  • Beak and nail trim as needed to allow proper prehension of food and correct placement and balance to avoid plantar infections, joint inflammation, and arthritis

  • Physical examination every 6-12 months

  • Annual fecal examination for parasites

  • Provide water source to stimulate elimination and clean daily. Unclean water can cause anorexia and disease

  • Feed every 24-48 hours a diet of 80% vegetables, 10% fruits, and 10% protein

  • Blood analysis every 1-3 years, dependant on age

Common Diseases for Snakes

  • Metabolic – correct environment/temperature needed to regulate internal body temperature and metabolism

  • Viral diseases are common

  • Trauma from live diet

  • Abscesses

  • Mites

  • Parasites

Preventive Care for Snakes

  • Physical examination every 6-12 months

  • Annual intestinal parasite screen

  • Routine viral testing

Assoc Avian Veterinarians
Assoc Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
American Federation of Aviculture
American Veterinary Medical Association
Assoc Avian Veterinarians
Assoc Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Federation of Aviculture