Reptiles

lizards on a log

People with limited living quarters may find that reptiles such as lizards or turtles fit perfectly into their lifestyles. Before deciding on a reptile, learn as much as possible about them and their needs. Poisonous snakes and certain reptiles should never be kept as pets. Ask your veterinarian about the suitability of a particular animal before you make your decision. There are many things to consider before committing to a reptile as a pet. 

Finding out if a Pet is Legal Where You Live
Many areas have enacted laws pertaining to keeping reptiles. Some are general and some are quite specific; in many places any reptiles that are considered dangerous (venomous snakes, alligators, etc.) are illegal but some places are even more restrictive (for example, in some states all constricting snakes including ball pythons are illegal).

Salmonella Risks and Prevention
All reptile owners need to be informed about Salmonella infections. While the risks shouldn't keep most people from keeping reptiles since with the proper management the risks are minimal. Still, owners should be aware of the risks, and the US Centers for Disease Control recommends that certain risk groups should be careful about contact with reptiles and amphibians.

The Importance of Light and Heat
Many problems with keeping reptiles can be traced back to not providing the proper environmental conditions, particularly heat. Proper lighting is also important for many reptiles. The equipment to provide the proper heat and light to captive reptiles is often quite expensive, but is absolutely essential to keeping pet reptiles healthy. It is important to find out exactly what conditions your reptile needs and never cut corners when it comes to meeting those conditions!

Why Choose Captive Bred Reptiles
There are numerous reasons why you should pick a captive bred reptile if at all possible, as explained here.

How to Pick a Healthy Reptile
It is important to keep in mind that depending on where you get a reptile, it may be very stressed, dehydrated, and prone to illness. Here are some items to look for when buying your reptile to increase the chances of picking out a healthy pet reptile.

While there are many types of reptiles that could be good pets, here we cover a few you could consider.

  • Canine Lyme Disease

    There are several options for protecting dogs against canine Lyme disease. One option is vaccination, which may be the best choice for pets who live in an endemic area. Annual vaccination is an affordable means of protecting pets against this disease, which can have serious health implications. Some

    Read more
  • Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

    The Parvovirus is known worldwide and causes disease in many different species of animals. Different strains of virus only infect certain types of animals. For example, the Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) will mainly infect dogs and does not cause disease in cats or humans. Feline Parvovirus, a different strain

    Read more
  • Captive Reptiles May Have Nutritional Deficiency

    Pet owners keeping reptiles in captivity as household pets may sometimes find that their pets have a nutritional deficiency. Metabolic bone disease is "the most common nutritional deficiency affecting captive reptiles," advises veterinarian Fredrick L. Frye in Reptile Care: An Atlas of Diseases and Treatments.

    Read more
  • Caring for Dogs with Wrinkles

    Regular skin care is the key to helping your wrinkled dog avoid painful infections.

    Read more
  • Caring for Senior Cats

    Thanks to advancements in veterinary care, today’s cats can live well into their teen years. It is not uncommon for cats to live to be 18 or even older. However, in order for cats to live a long full life, they need proactive veterinary care to stay healthy. As cats age, they are at greater risk for

    Read more
  • Caring for Your Older Pet

    Many of the same problems that affect people as they age, such as arthritis and diabetes, can also affect your pet. Making a few changes to the way you care for your furry friend will help you ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy as the years go by. Look for Common Signs of Illness Changes

    Read more
  • Caring for Your Pet Before and After Surgery

    Is a surgery in your pet's future? If it is, you probably have a few questions about pre- and post-surgery care. Paying close attention to care recommendations will help you ensure that the surgery is just a minor disruption to your pet's normal routine. Before Surgery Stop Food Your pet will need

    Read more
  • Cat Backpacks: The New Trend in Feline Transportation

    Wearing your cat is all the rage these days. Find out why more cat lovers are making the switch to cat backpacks.

    Read more
  • Cat Food Labels: What Nutritional Facts and Ingredients to Look For

    Need a little help making sense of cat food labels?

    Read more
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list.

    Read more
  • Catnip: Why Cats Love It

    Few things stimulate a cat's pleasure faster than catnip. Exposure to this simple herb can reveal a new side to their feline personality. Many cats will go crazy at the smell of this plant. Catnip has a reputation of being a feline drug and many cat owners wonder if it is safe to give it to their pet.

    Read more
  • Chickens

    Choosing a Pet Chicken Maybe, you want the luxury of freshly laid eggs. Maybe, you think chickens are interesting animals and would make good pets. Before you rush out and purchase a coop and chicken feed, you should understand what's entailed in keeping them healthy and safe. General Information Make

    Read more
  • Chinchillas

    Chinchillas are playful, loveable, and amusing pets. If you want yours to remain in your family for long, you should ensure that it has a good diet. Chinchillas require a lot of attention due to their playful nature; therefore, it is best to have supervised playtime with yours if you want to create a

    Read more
  • Chronic Pain in Pets

    It's hard to see your pet in pain day after day, particularly if your formerly energetic friend has now become lethargic and withdrawn due to a health condition or disease. Unfortunately, pets suffer from chronic pain just like people do. Learning about types of chronic pain and treatments can help you keep your pet more comfortable.

    Read more
  • Client Survey

    Download & Print Client Survey If you do not already have AdobeReader® installed on your computer, Click Here to download. Please download the Client Survey, and fill in the requested information. You can either email, mail, fax, or hand in your completed survey.

    Read more
  • Cloning Pets

    Ever wanted an exact copy of your favorite pet? Well, now it's possible - but is it smart? Most pet owners have suffered the loss of a very dear and special pet. And while owners would like to keep their dear friend with them forever, very few would actually go so far as to entertain the idea of cloning. To

    Read more

Office Hours

Monday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday

Open the First Saturday of each Month 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, CLOSED ALL OTHERS

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday
Open the First Saturday of each Month 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, CLOSED ALL OTHERS
Sunday
Closed

Contact Us