Exotic Animal Formulary5

UVB (5%, 2 hr)
• Nocturnal lizards, low levels of UVB (2%, 2 hr)—focus more on oral vitamin D 3
• Snakes seem to get adequate levels of calcium/cholecalciferol from ingestion of
whole vertebrate prey (or earthworms); exceptions are diamond and green tree
pythons, indigo snakes, some aquatic species, rough/smooth green snakes, other
arboreal, diurnal snakes
• Albino (amelanistic), hypomelanistic, snow, blizzard, pastel, tangerine, lavender,
yellow, pied, anerythristic, leucistic, xanthochromistic, or any other genetic
mutant with less than normal levels of melanin are more susceptible to UV light
burns of the eyes and dorsal skin, so lower levels of UV supplementation (if any)
should be provided, oral vitamin D 3 may need to be considered
• Force-feeding (following rehydration) (see Table 4-13)
• Use species-appropriate diet, especially useful for immature animals as maintenance
until improving and closer to adult size, esophageal feeding tube usually needed for
chelonians to avoid beak fractures
• Ca supplementation options (see Table 4-8)—best to use human products
• Calcium carbonate (400 mg calcium/g product)
• Calcium citrate (210 mg calcium/g product)
• Calcium phosphate
• Maintain hydration
• Fluid therapy, as needed
• Soak in warm water (shallow) for 10-20 min q12-24 h to encourage drinking and
defecation (caution: head may need to be supported; do not leave unattended)
• Vitamin D 3 (see Table 4-8)
• Best source is UVA/UVB exposure from sun or appropriate lamp
• Some species may benefit from judicious oral supplementation
• Calcitonin to prevent further transfer of Ca from bone to blood (hormone therapies
should always be performed cautiously)
• 50 U/kg IM q7d×2 treatments
• Ca supplementation should be given prior to and during calcitonin therapy
• Serum Ca should be within normal limits prior to calcitonin therapy; if Ca levels
cannot be determined, administer calcium 7 days prior to calcitonin
• Gut-load invertebrates (crickets, mealworms, superworms, cockroaches) on high
calcium diet (high calcium leafy greens, Mazuri Hi-Ca Cricket Diet) for several days
before feeding to insectivores
• Feed high-calcium invertebrates such as phoenix worms, snails, and earthworms when
appropriate for diet in insectivores
• Dusting invertebrates may be beneficial; but they often remove dust quickly, can make
unpalatable, and be careful with dusts containing vitamins, avoid those with
phosphorus
• Feed only leafy greens and other high calcium plants for herbivores, minimizing thicker
vegetables and avoiding most fruits
• In mammals, condition considered painful, appropriate analgesics may be warranted
• Both short-term and long-term prognosis is often guarded at best
• Other
• Handle gently
• Remove climbing branches to prevent injuries
215