Reptiles make great pets as many are beginner friendly and offer a different and interesting animal to keep. Reptiles can live 20 years and over, so they are quite the commitment. It may be difficult to notice a decline in the health of a reptile compared to cats and dogs, so let’s look at different ways that we can monitor our older reptiles for a possible decline in health.
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How much are they eating?
No matter what animal you have, reptile or not, animals should always want to eat. As animals get older, their eating may slow down due to their metabolic rate. However, this should not decrease drastically and certainly shouldn’t get to a point where they are refusing meals.
When reptiles stop eating it can be for a number of different reasons. Reptiles can slow down on their eating habits if they’re due a shed, and snakes can stop eating for a number of weeks without concern. Inappetence may not necessarily mean that “the end is near” and could indicate that there is an underlying health condition.
If you’re worried about the amount that your reptile is eating, always seek advice from a veterinary surgeon.
What are their energy levels like?
An older reptile should still have a good amount of energy. On the whole, they may be a little slower than a young spritely reptile (and if they’re a tortoise, they can’t get much slower!) Reptiles can suffer from osteoarthritis in older age, similar to cats, dogs and humans.
When assessing their quality of life, it’s important to note whether they still have adequate energy. Are they still actively exploring their environment? If you’re unsure, try taking them out of their environment and put them on the floor. Are they interested and inquisitive of the new space?
If you think that your reptile has low energy levels or they are more lethargic than normal, always speak with your veterinary surgeon.
Monitor their weight
As our reptiles get older, it can be really worthwhile to monitor their weight. You can do this on a monthly basis and track their weight throughout the year. Their weight may fluctuate but shouldn’t do too dramatically.
If you start to notice a decline in health, or an abnormal weight gain, it may be an indication that there is an underlying health condition. Closely monitor weight changes and speak to your vet if you have any concerns.
Do they still interact with you?
A great way to gauge your reptile’s mood is based on how they interact with you. This can differ from animal to animal, as I once had a chameleon who hated my guts and wanted nothing to do with me and then a tortoise who followed me around the garden and enjoyed a shell scratch.
If you’re unsure on whether your reptile is responsive or not, gently rub their head, if they are friendly. If they acknowledge your presence try and tempt them a little more to move around and explore.
A depressed reptile is not a happy reptile. If you’re worried, book an appointment with your vet.
What are their colours like?
You can tell a reptile’s mood by their colours. This doesn’t just apply to chameleons though as even geckos, snakes and tortoises colours can appear a little dull if they’re sick or unhappy. If their colours are bright and vibrant, then it’s likely that they’re a happy reptile.
Dull colours can mean a number of different things, such as imminent skin shedding or lack of humidity. If you’re worried then always get a second opinion from your veterinary surgeon.
Final thoughts
Assessing a reptile’s quality of life can give you a good indication on their health status. It is important to build an accurate picture of their health using a variety of different methods and gathering information from a variety of sources.
As always, if you are ever unsure whether your pet is unwell, always seek help from a veterinary surgeon. It is important to note that not all veterinary practices treat exotics such as reptiles. To find an exotic vet local to you, make use of our vet finder tool.
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