Content types: Webinar

Article  Video  Webinar 

Sunburned! An Evidence-Based Update on UVB Lighting for Captive Exotic Species

Lighting is a critical component of animal husbandry, particularly for exotic animal species. View the webinar recording by Mark Mitchell, DVM, MS, PhD, DECZM (Herpetology), RACE approved for 1 credit hour. This presentation first reviews the role of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in vitamin D₃ synthesis, before summarizing experimental studies evaluating UVB exposure in reptiles, birds, and mammals. Additional topics include potential adverse effects associated with UVB light and practical clinical recommendations, such as methods for accurate measurement of UVB output as well as proper bulb selection and placement.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Therapeutic Techniques in Reptile Patients

Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline Practice), DABVP (Reptile/Amphibian Practice), DECZM (Herpetology) presented this live, interactive webinar. View the RACE-approved webinar recording, then take and pass the brief post-test to earn 1 continuing education credit. Effective therapeutic management of reptile patients requires strict attention to the Preferred Optimal Temperature Zone (POTZ). Warming patients to their POTZ ensures predictable pharmacologic responses, as reptiles at ideal temperatures demonstrate significantly improved drug absorption and metabolism compared with hypothermic individuals. Hydration status and appropriate route selection also influence therapeutic success in reptile medicine. Various routes of drug and fluid administration are explored, from subcutaneous and intracoelomic to intramuscular, intravenous, and intraosseous routes of injection.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Clinical Medicine of Bearded Dragons

Grayson Doss, DVM, DACZM will present this live, interactive webinar, RACE-approved for 1 credit hour. Bearded dragons (Pogona spp.) are among the most common and charismatic reptile patients seen in practice today. This presentation provides a practical review for veterinary professionals, covering essential topics from anatomy, behavior, and husbandry to key clinical techniques, such as physical examination, venipuncture, radiography, sedation, and fluid therapy. Common medical concerns—including constipation, periodontal disease, follicular stasis, and Nannizziopsis guarroi infection—will also be discussed.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Clinical Pathology of Herptiles

J. Jill Heatley, MS, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice, Reptile & Amphibian Practice), DACZM presented this live, interactive webinar. View the RACE-approved webinar recording, then take the brief quiz to earn 1 hour of continuing education credit. Clinicopathologic evaluation of reptiles and amphibians is useful for health assessment and monitoring. There are specific considerations when evaluating data from this taxonomic group, including sex, age, time of year/season, reproductive status, diet, captive versus wild, geographic location, methodology, and anticoagulant. In this informative webinar Dr. Heatley discussed hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis features of reptiles and amphibians as well as the clinical relevance of test results.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Reptile and Amphibian Imaging

View the RACE-approved recording of this live 1-hour webinar event, presented by Elizabeth M. Rush, DVM, DACZM. Radiographs are a simple, noninvasive diagnostic tool for reptiles and amphibians. Normal radiographic anatomy is reviewed in each taxonomic group, before some common pathological conditions are discussed.

Article  Quiz  Video  Webinar 

The Critical Reptile Patient

View this webinar recording by Stacey Leonatti Wilkinson, DVM, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian Practice), RACE-approved for 1 credit hour. A common misconception is that true emergencies in reptile medicine do not exist. While it is true that most emergencies are an acute manifestation of a chronic disease, by the time the owner notices a problem an emergency may exist. Some common, true, acute-onset emergencies include trauma, vomiting, prolapse, seizures, tremors, obstructive dystocia, and severe dyspnea. Proper triage is critical when treating exotic animal patients and a complete history is vital to help determine a list of differential diagnoses. A physical examination should be performed, but initially it may be only visual or extremely limited if the patient is unstable. Stabilization should be the priority; then additional tests or procedures can be performed once the patient is more stable.

Article  Quiz  Video  Webinar 

Spotlight on Anesthesia & Analgesia in Reptiles

View the RACE-approved webinar recording presented by Javier Nevarez, DVM, PhD, DACZM, DECZM (Herpetology). The live event was an updated version of his 2016 presentation. Topics covered include recognizing signs of pain and discomfort, analgesics commonly used in reptiles, as well as balanced anesthetic protocols. Since a key component of successful anesthesia and analgesia is the ability to properly monitor the patient, essential monitoring parameters and equipment are also discussed. This presentation concludes with a review of respiratory stimulus in the reptile and anesthetic recovery.

Article  Client Education Handout  Video  Webinar 

Reptile and Amphibian Nutrition

Dr. Thomas Boyer presented this live, interactive webinar. The RACE-approved recording discusses nutrition, the leading cause of disease in reptiles and amphibians. Chronic nutritional diseases remain common, including nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, hepatic lipidosis, protein deficiency, hypovitaminosis A, hypervitaminosis A, pyramidal shell growth, renal disease, urocystoliths, thiamine deficiency, vitamin E/selenium deficiency, steatitis, corneal lipidosis, and obesity. The goal of this web-based seminar is to educate veterinary health professionals such that they can provide sound nutritional advice to reptile and amphibian keepers. Dr. Boyer has also shared his client education handout on growing mealworms and superworms.

Article  Case Study  Webinar 

Reptile Wildlife Euthanasia Techniques

“The question is not, can they reason? Nor, can they talk? But, can they suffer?” –Jeremy Bentham, philosopher, 1780

Dr. Renée Schott presented a live, interactive webinar on reptile wildlife euthanasia techniques. View the RACE-approved webinar recording today. Wildlife often present to veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators with conditions that warrant euthanasia. It can be difficult, however, to apply mammalian methods of euthanasia to species with unique physiology such as reptiles. This presentation uses cases to discuss practical euthanasia methods for reptiles and the physiology behind these methods. Emphasis is placed on freshwater turtles as these represent some physiological extremes.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Reproductive Disease in Reptiles

Reptile reproduction can be a confusing topic due to the variety of normal reproductive strategies found throughout different reptile species. Nevertheless it important to understand normal reproductive processes to correctly approach some commonly seen problems. This webinar recording reviews normal reproductive strategies of reptiles, including important reproductive anatomy and physiology. Three clinically important conditions, pre-ovulatory or follicular stasis, post-ovulatory dystocia, and cloacal prolapse, are also explored in detail.