Article  Webinar 

Reptile and Amphibian Imaging

Elizabeth M. Rush, DVM, DACZM will present this live, interactive webinar, with RACE approval pending for 1 credit hour. Dr. Rush will first review the standard orthogonal views in these species as well as positioning and techniques, including the use of gastrointestinal (GI) contrast. Normal radiographic anatomy will be reviewed in each taxonomic group, before discussing some common pathological conditions.

Article  Webinar 

Amphibian Medicine

Gregory Lewbart, MS, VMD, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM) will present this live, interactive, 1-hour webinar, hosted by LafeberVet. Amphibians are a fascinating and extremely important taxonomic group of animals. Amphibians are valued as environmental sentinels, biomedical research subjects, public display animals, private pets, and even as a human food source. Class Amphibia is divided into three orders and 75 families, containing 8,530 species. This live webinar event will focus on anatomic and physiologic characteristics shared by this diverse group as well as important disease conditions.

Quiz 

Herptile Handling Teaching Module Quiz

The Herptile Handling & Restraint Teaching Module was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program for 1/2 hour of continuing education, in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval. You have three chances to take this post-test and pass. With a passing grade, you will see your results and a link to your continuing education certificate.

Article  Teaching Module 

Herptile Handling Teaching Module

LafeberVet’s Herptile Handling Teaching Module is RACE-approved for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Upon completion of this learning aid, the participant will have a basic clinical understanding of handling and restraint for amphibians, lizards, snakes, and chelonians. This content can serve as a clinical refresher or a teaching aid. Complete the four components of this syllabus, then take the brief quiz to earn one half hour of continuing education credit.

Article 

Amphibian Handling and Restraint

Part of the Herptile Handling Teaching Module, this review article addresses handling and restraint of amphibians, a diverse group that consists of over 8,000 extant species belonging to three orders: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata or Urodela (salamanders, newts, and sirens), and Gymnophiona or Apoda (caecilians). Transport, defense mechanisms that may prove hazardous to handlers, potential dangers for the patient, and specific capture, handling, and restraint techniques are reviewed. Equipment needed, including personal protective equipment, is also discussed as well as measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Quiz 

Amphibian Sedation and Anesthesia Quiz

The Amphibian Sedation and Anesthesia webinar was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards Registry of Approved Continuing Education program for 1 hour of continuing education, in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. You have three chances to take this post-test and pass. If you pass, you will see your results and a link to your continuing education certificate.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Amphibian Sedation and Anesthesia

This RACE-approved webinar recording was presented by Douglas Whiteside,DVM, DVSc, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM). Similar to other vertebrate species, sedation or anesthesia may be required in amphibians for various diagnostic, clinical, and surgical interventions. An understanding of clinically relevant anatomy and physiology, a pre-anesthetic protocol, the selection of appropriate anesthetic drugs to safely conduct a desired procedure, appropriate anesthetic monitoring, and post-anesthetic planning all are key to successfully managing the amphibian patient through an anesthetic event…

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  Information sheet 

Basic Information Sheet: Axolotl

Native to Lake Xochimilco, its canal systems, and a few neighboring waterways of Mexico City, the axolotl is a neotenic amphibian species closely related to the tiger salamander. This Basic Information Sheet reviews natural history, conservation status, and taxonomy, as well as a number of clinically relevant topics including diet, housing, behavior, restraint, and important medical conditions seen in the axolotl. Login to view references.

Client Education Handout 

Care of the Axolotl

This client education handout reviews basic care of the axolotl. Topics covered in detail include housing, such as habitat, water quality, filtration, and lighting, as well as well as diet and common health problems.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Clinical Approach to Amphibian Emergencies

View the RACE-approved webinar recording, presented by Douglas Whiteside, DVM, DVSc, DACZM, DECZM (Zoo Health Management). Topics covered include clinically relevant anatomy and physiology, obtaining a detailed history, triage and emergency therapies, clinical examination, diagnostic testing, analgesia, nutritional support, hospitalization, and euthanasia.

Form-Questionnaire 

Amphibian Physical Examination Form

The amphibian examination beings with careful visual observation. Use of a small, transparent container can enhance the amphibian visual examination and minimize handling time. Download the LafeberVet Amphibian Physical Examination Form, available in PDF, DOCX and DOC formats.

Form-Questionnaire 

Amphibian History Form

A detailed history is mandatory for the amphibian patient as husbandry needs can have a tremendous impact on amphibian health. Download the LafeberVet Amphibian History Form available in PDF, DOCX and DOC formats.

Article  Presenting Problem 

Presenting problem: “Red Leg” in Frogs

Red leg syndrome, also known as “pink belly disease” or bacterial dermatosepticemia, is one of the most common clinical conditions of captive frogs. Associated with peracute to acute bacterial septicemia, red leg is generally a disease of captive animals although the condition has also been implicated in rare mass mortalities of wild amphibians. This presenting problem article reviews clinical findings in red leg syndrome, pathogenesis of disease, as well as key points of urgent care and prognosis. The basics of case management are then reviewed: differential diagnoses, diagnostics, treatment, prevention and control.

Article 

Fast Facts on the Chytrid Fungus

The non-hyphal, zoosporic, chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused widespread and dramatic population declines in both wild and captive amphibians worldwide. Use this table to review the basics of the infectious disease chytridiomycosis

Article 

Fluid Administration in Amphibians

Most amphibians do not drink water. Fluid instead diffuses across semipermeable skin, and sometimes gills, directly from water or moist substrates. Excess fluid is excreted primarily by the kidneys, while conserving electrolyte levels. In some amphibians, skin is also involved in osmoregulation and respiration.

Article 

Basic Husbandry: Hospitalizing Non-Traditional Pets

No single hospital environment can meet the needs of every exotic animal and caging systems must be tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient. Read about those caging requirements that remain constant among exotic animals as well as the species-specific needs of each taxa from birds and small mammals to fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Article  Quiz 

Assessing the Sick Frog or Toad

So a frog hops into your exam room…
Know just enough amphibian medicine to feel dangerous? Read Assessing the Sick Frog or Toad for practical information that will help you–and your patient–in the exam room.

Always happy to see frog and toad patients? ‘Hop to’ our brief quiz!

Information sheet 

Basic Information Sheet: White’s Tree Frog

The White’s tree frog is indigenous to Australia and Indonesia. Also known as the Dumpy tree frog or the Australian Giant Green tree frog. This species is captive bred in large numbers. Wild-caught frogs from Indonesia are also still in the pet trade…

Information sheet 

Basic Information Sheet: Ornate Horned Frog

The name “horned frog” comes from the folds of skin that are located over the eyes. The ornate horned frog is found in the tropical and montane rain forests of South America. This frog’s camouflaged coloration allows it to hide as it lies half buried in leaf litter on the forest floor. As soon as prey passes by, the horned frog grabs and swallows its prey whole in one or two gulps. This is why this species is also known as…

Information sheet 

Basic Information Sheet: Poison Dart Frog

Native to the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, tiny poison dart frogs secrete lipophilic alkaloid toxins through their skin. These toxins serve as a chemical defense against predation. Some native tribes are renowned for dipping arrow tips in the toxins from these frogs. These beautiful, active frogs are outgoing and diurnal, making excellent “look but don’t touch” pets. Many but not all specimens in the pet trade today are captive bred. Frogs bred for several generations in captivity fail to synthesize…

Information sheet 

Basic Information Sheet: Giant African Bullfrog

The African bullfrog lives in a variety of arid and semiarid habitats in central and southern Africa. This frog has long ridges on the skin of its back and a huge head.

The pet trade is supplied by captive-bred and wild-caught specimens. African bullfrogs are often called “Pixie” frogs (derived from their genus, not their size). It is theorized that a number of different subspecies or species are now sold in the trade as African bullfrogs.

Online Resources: Herptile Medicine

A collection of online resources related to reptile and amphibian medicine. This list of links come from a variety of professional organizations and conservation websites.

Article 

Reptile and Amphibian Equipment List

Are you prepared to see herptiles in your clinical practice? This equipment list, created by a veterinarian board-certified in reptiles and amphibians, provides recommendations for basic equipment needs as well as tools for advanced reptile care including amphibians and even crocodilians.