Reptiles and Amphibians

Bringing your reptile to the vet can be a stressful time, especially when they are unwell or injured.

All reptiles need to arrive at the appointment in an enclosure. Usually their normal enclosure is too large or difficult to bring in, so examples of other carriers include:

• Pillow case
• Cat and dog travel carriers
• Plastic containers with ventilation holes
• Cardboard boxes with ventilation holes and must be able to be secured (they are not recommended for snakes)
• Turtles can travel without water. A moistened towel on the bottom of a bucket or large plastic container is usually sufficient
• Axolotls must travel submersed in cool water (ideally the same temperature as their tank).
• A small plastic aquarium or even an esky can be used.
• If you are unable to bring their regular enclosure to the appointment, a photo of the cage and surroundings can often be very helpful for the veterinarian.

Turtles, frogs and axolotls – please bring a sample of their tank water in a separate container.

Examination of faecal samples is a routine part of the examination. Please bring a fresh faecal sample to the consultation, if this is available.