Transporting your reptile to the clinic

Transportation of pet reptiles, should be planned carefully to ensure that a constant temperature is maintained in transit. Large fluctuations in temperature can be detrimental to your pet, so great care should be taken to ensure thermal stressors are kept to a minimum.

How should I transport my reptile?

There are multiple ways in which to safely transport reptiles but the key factors should include, removal of hides and water bowls, which could move during transit and cause damage to your pet. (still bring water bowls and hides particularly if your pet is going to stay in the hospital).

A heat source is necessary when bringing reptiles to the clinic. Simple hot water bottles or microwavable wheat bags can be utilised (and replenished by us for your return journey). There are commercially available electric heat matts which can be plugged into the cigarette lighter of the car. We advise the use of stryofoam/polystyrene outer boxes, to help insulate your transport box. The animal should not be able to come into direct contact with the heat source (as they could bet burned).

Top tips:

·  Snakes can be contained in pillow cases or duvet cases with the open end, folded and secured with elastic bands

·  The use of Perspex or plastic boxes can help keep reptiles contained during transport

·  Ensure that good ventilation is maintained during the journey, but that any holes are not too big that the animal can escape

·  Remove any large objects which could fall on your pet

·  Keep a thermometer within the transport box so that you can adjust temperatures if necessary

·  For smaller lizards, a soft substrate in the bottom of the transport box, will reduce the incidence of your pet sliding around and getting injured

The car journey:

Securing the transport boxes with the use of seatbelts or bungee cords is advisable, to prevent them from moving or falling over when, slowing down/stopping or turning corners/going around roundabouts.

Keeping the noise to a minimum is advised (no loud music or startling sat nav commands which could cause unnecessary vibrations). The use of a thick blanket beneath the transport boxes can help minimise vibrations from the car, whist you are driving.

What should I put in my transport box?

Lining the bottom with newspaper or a towel can enable easy cleaning on arrival at the clinic (and will help us to collect faecal samples should they be required)

Avoid having a water source in the cage for the transport as this will likely spill.

Other information:

When transporting lizards and geckos, it is important to be mindful that autotomy (dropping of the tail) can occur if your pet feels stressed or threatened.

We will often ask you relevant questions about your pet and their set up, it can be useful for you to take photos of your vivarium/terrarium/tortoise table to show one of the team, it is also incredibly useful to know the following:

·  Enclosure size

·  If a UV light is used: type, strength, make and length of time it is on for

·  Type of food you give, how much and how often

·  What you use as a substrate (on the bottom of the vivarium)

·  What supplements you offer (if any)

·  Your thermogradient (temperatures in the hot end, middle and cooler end of your enclosure)

·  Your night time temperature drop

·  The temperature at the hottest part of your enclosure (basking spot)

We recommend regular faecal checks to asses for any sign of parasites. If your pet passes faeces prior to your consultation, bring it with you for examination by one of our staff to allow us to perform this in house tests.

If you have any questions or concerns about transporting your reptile, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team at Origin Vets Clinic.