Many health issues relating to reptiles are down to simply not being looked after properly so the point is that many health problems can be prevented by knowing how to care for the reptile and how to react when a reptile looks ill.

There are some signs that mean you should take the reptile straight to the vet and these invclude: not eating, vomiting, not passing faeces,trembling, open mouth breathing or if the reptiles abdomen looks swollen. The obvious one would be if a reptile is limping or just not moving.

Metabolic bone disease is usually due to improper diet or lack of ultra violet light or even the wrong diet or temperature within the vivarium. If this is diagnosed then make sure the reptile hasn’t got anywhere it can climb because a fall could cause limb damage and be fatal. Some owners make the mistake of feeding their herbivour reptile meat. This is very dangerous and can cause kidney disease, always know what the reptile should be fed.

Never pick the reptile up by it’s tail. We are all aware that some reptiles can regenerate a tail but for some it can be fatal as most of the fat reserves are hoarded within the tail area.

Incomplete shedding of the skin. This can cause damage between the digits and cause infection. This is mainly caused by providing the wrong temperature or humidity. Incomplete shedding can be fatal but will certainly cause the reptile to go off it’s food due to it feeling uncomfortable.

Renal disease can occur in reptiles such as iguanas or chameleons. This often shows as loss of weight or the reptile being depressed or non interest in food and general weakness. a trip to the vet should always undertaken.

Reptiles almost always harbour samonella without actually suffering from the effect. This is more dangerous to humans and this is why you should always wear gloves when handling or at the very least wash thoroughly after handling and never put your hands near your mouth. This is especially important for children to be taught.