EverythingReptile.org
  • Everything Reptile Home
  • About Us
  • First Annual Keeper's Award Contest Page
  • Interviews
    • The Frilled Dragon Speaks - Interview with Candice Yaacobi
    • Rattlesnake Roundup - Interview with John F. Taylor
    • Adenovirus Interview: Tracie Kretzschmar
    • The Adventure Gecko Does Hamm - Interview with Lauren Phillips
  • Reptile Care
  • The Right Supplies
    • Basking Heat Bulbs
    • Ceramic Heat Emitters
    • Dimmers & Thermostats
    • Infrared Heat Lights
    • Thermometers, Temp Guns & Hygrometers
    • Under Tank Heaters
    • Timers
    • UVB bulbs
  • Understanding UV Lighting
    • UVB bulbs
  • DIY Section
    • Enclosures, vivariums and tanks
  • Proper Diet
    • Feeder Pics and Information
  • Supplements
  • Feeder Companies
  • Rescue Spotlights & Links to Rescue Organizations
    • Rescue Spotlight - North Bay Tegu and Monitor Rescue
    • Rescue Spotlight - Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue
  • Reptile Breeders
  • Reptile Vets
  • Diseases
    • Reptile Physiology & Herpetology
  • Parasites
  • Medication
  • Imaging, Procedures, Surgery
  • First Aid and Home Remedies
  • Quarantine & Disinfecting
    • Quarantine Guide
    • Tank Cleaning and Disinfecting
    • Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4%
  • Escaped Reptiles
  • Reptiles in the News
  • Everything Reptile Blog
  • Kid's Page
  • Contact Us
Follow Everything Reptile!

 Chronic     Dehydration

Captive reptiles rely on the keeper for all of it's needs. As with all life reptiles need access to fresh clean water to exist and thrive. Researching to find your reptile's specific water requirements is necessary to their health. Without enough fluid intake your reptile will become dehydrated. Chronic Dehydration left untreated leads to electrolyte imbalance, kidney and liver diseases, contributes to other diseases and can ultimately lead to death. Dehydration is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying factor. It is important to discover the cause and address it. Often the cause is poor husbandry but it can be caused by disease. It is always recommended to have a vet assess and diagnose any issue your reptile has.  

general   symptoms   of   dehydration 

  • Skin  wrinkled and loses it's elasticity.
  • Eyes appear dull and sunken. 
  • Sunken fat pads.
  • Mucus membranes will appear dry. 
  • Lethargy.
  • No appetite. 

Research your specific reptile species and learn what their hydration requirements are. It is important to know how they drink. For example, some will drink from a dish  while some others will not recognize standing water as something to drink. Some others will lap droplets. As with all information about your reptile, the more you research and know the better you are able to provide their needs.

Picture
               Dehydration and it's results some 
                    Basic Metabolic Processes  
Picture
    General information on reptile hydration.

Picture
                     Dehydration Review
Picture
Addresses some common health issues in snakes,                            including  dehydration

Picture
  
               In the section on "Methods of Offering Fluids to Reptiles" is a basic guide on the amounts of fluids
                                      to offer reptiles in 24 hour period. All sections very informative.