How to Verify Life (and Death) in Reptiles

Nowhere is the mystery of life and death more apparent than when dealing with reptiles.

Detecting the reptile heart rate: Even in the active, healthy reptile the stethoscope is generally a useless piece of equipment. The presence of scales or the shell makes auscultation of the heart difficult, if not impossible, in many instances. Therefore ancillary testing such as ultrasonography or electrocardiography is required . . .


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References

AVMA. AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. June 2007. Pp. 17-20. Available at https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf. Accessed on October 24, 2012.

Dekker M. Drowned tortoise with no vital signs was successfully revived. Veterinary Information Network website. Available at http://www.vin.com/Members/boards/discussionviewer.aspx?FirstMsg=1&LastMsg=20&DocumentId=3580842. Last updated: 9/11/07. Accessed on October 22, 2012.

Johnson A, Clinton J, Stevens R. Turtle heart beats five days after death. Amer Biol Teacher 19(6):176-177, 1957.

Mader DR. Euthanasia. In: Mader DR (ed). Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd edition. Saunders Elsevier; St. Louis: 2006. Pp. 564-568.

To cite this page:

Pollock C. How to verify life (and death) in reptiles. October 22, 2012. LafeberVet Web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/how-to-verify-life-and-death-in-reptiles/