Article  Video 

Lizard Handling and Restraint

Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures cannot be administered until you and your staff can safely handle and restrain the lizard patient. This article reviews patient transport and defense mechanisms of the lizard, including tail autotomy, as well as protective gear and restraint techniques.

Article 

Chelonian Handling and Restraint

Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures cannot be administered until you and your staff can safely handle and restrain the turtle or tortoise patient. Many chelonian patients presented to the veterinary hospital are ill and therefore their temperament and strength level can be reduced. Normal, healthy chelonians tend to be bright, alert and very strong, making them extremely challenging to restrain. Gaining control of the head can be particularly difficult, however multiple techniques have been described.

Article  Video 

Snake Handling and Restraint

Veterinary practices are often more hesitant to deal with snakes than with other pet reptiles, yet for the most part snakes are probably the easiest reptile patients to capture and restrain in clinical practice. This article reviews the defense mechanisms of snakes as well as transport, restraint techniques, and potential complications.

Erica Mede, CVT

Erica Mede is the head veterinary technician at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital and an avid herptoculturist. She is Founder and President of Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue, the only public, not-for-profit 501c3 reptile and amphibian rescue in Illinois. Friends of Scales services the Midwest assisting reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates in need of medical care and those that need to be rehomed. The rescue works closely with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Conservation Police as well as the local community. Erica serves as a guest lecturer and speaker at higher education institutions, veterinary hospitals…