This week’s segment features Pretzel the 2 year old ball python!! 🐍 Pretzel has been coming to us yearly for annual wellness examinations and yearly wellness testing. Reptiles are masters at hiding illness, so by the time symptoms appear, the problem may already be advanced. That’s why annual veterinary wellness exams are so important—even for healthy-looking pets!
During these exams, we perform thorough physical evaluations and recommend diagnostic tests like fecal screening to check for internal parasites, which are common and often go unnoticed. We also perform Gram stains of the mouth and cloaca, which help detect bacterial or fungal infections that might not show obvious external signs. These quick, non-invasive tests provide valuable insight into your reptile’s internal health. In Pretzel’s case we were able to find that she had a bacterial infection unbeknownst to her owner due to their ability to hide illness. Thankfully after some injectable antibiotic therapy, we were able to clear Pretzel’s infection!
Preventive care not only helps catch issues early—it can significantly improve your pet’s quality of life and longevity. Whether you have a snake, lizard, or tortoise, regular check-ups are a critical part of responsible reptile care. 🐍🐢🦎🐸