Handling and Nursing Reptiles - Australian Veterinary Association

4.4 Eastern water dragons
Eastern water dragons (Physignathus lesurii) are overrepresented in cases of metabolic bone
disease. These lizards are an attractive and popular pet for the novice reptile keeper.
It is distressing for the animal, owner and veterinarian to see small lizards (often less than 10
grams in body weight) suffering from MBD. It is timely that these reptiles were “reclassified” and
only available to experienced keepers.
Summary
A sound knowledge of reptile husbandry is essential in order to diagnose and treat captive
reptiles. Reading and consulting with herpetologists and reptile veterinarians will enable you to
build on your experience.
References
1. Cowles RB, Bogert CM, 1944. A preliminary study of the thermal requirements of desert
reptiles. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 83: pp 256-296.
2. Guillette Jr LJ, Cree A and Rooney A, 1995. Biology of stress: interactions with reproduction,
immunology and intermediary metabolism. In: Warwick C, Frye FL and Murphy JB (Eds.),
Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles, pp 32-81. Chapman and Hall, London.
3. Arena PC, Warwick C, 1995. Miscellaneous factors affecting health and welfare. In: Warwick
C, Frye FL and Murphy JB (Eds.), Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles, pp 262- 283.
Chapman and Hall, London.
4. Divers S, 1996. Basic reptile husbandry, history taking and clinical examination. In Practice,
February 1996. The Veterinary Record, pp 51-65.
5. McCracken H, 1994. Husbandry and diseases of captive reptiles. In: Wildlife. Post Graduate
Committee in Veterinary Science, pp 461-546. University of Sydney, Sydney.
6. Boylan T, 1994. Reptile housing for rehabilitation. In: Wildlife Rehabilitation – Reptiles.
Course Notes. Taronga Zoo, Sydney.
7. Burghardt GM and Layne GL, 1995. Effects of ontogenic processes and rearing conditions. In:
Warwick C, Frye FL and Murphy JB (Eds.), Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles, pp 165-185.
Chapman and Hall, London.
8. Mader DR, 1997. Approach to the anorexic reptile. In: Proceedings of the 21 st Waltham/OSU
Symposium, 1997.
9. DeNardo D, 1996. Dystocias. In: Mader DR, Reptile Medicine and Surgery, pp 370-374.
Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.
10. Warwick C, 1995. Psychological and behavioural principles and problems. In: Warwick C,
Frye FL and Murphy JB (Eds.), Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles, pp 205-235. Chapman
and Hall, London.