Reptile Services
Reptiles require specialized care tailored to their unique anatomy, environment, and nutritional needs. Our Reptile Services focus on preventive care, husbandry guidance, diagnostics, and treatment to support the long-term health of your scaly companions.
Reptile Services in Scotts Valley, CA
Reptile species we work with include:
Snakes
- Ball Pythons
- Burmese Pythons
- Blood Pythons
- Boa Constrictors
- Cornsnakes
- Kingsnakes
- Milk Snakes
- Rat Snakes
- Hognose Snakes
- We do not see venomous snakes.
Lizards
- Bearded Dragons
- Geckos
- Monitor Lizards
- Tegus
- Iguanas
- Anoles
- Chameleons
Turtles and Tortoises
- Sliders
- Box Turtles
- Red-eared Sliders
- Mud Turtles
- Stinkpot Turtles
- Sulcata Tortoises
- Russian Tortoises
- Red-Footed Tortoises
- Desert Tortoises
- Greek Tortoises
- Hermann’s Tortoises
Services We Offer
Wellness and Preventative Care
We recommend annual visits to a veterinarian for all lizards, snakes, and chelonians. During these visits, your pet will have a physical exam to check for abnormalities and our doctors will discuss any symptoms or concerns you have. We can also advise on proper care, feeding, and housing for your pet. Regular check-ups and testing allow us to catch underlying illness, decrease in organ function, parasites, or infection even before your pet shows signs of being sick.
Radiographs
Our clinic has a digital radiography (X-ray) machine, which enables us to take high quality radiographs. Radiographs can identify bone fractures, eggs, foreign bodies, arthritis, pneumonia, tumors, and more.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scans
CT scans are a non-invasive imaging technique that uses X-rays to create a detailed three dimensional image of an animal’s body by taking many pictures and combining them together. This allows for the evaluation of bones, organs, soft tissues, and blood vessels. A CT scan can be done with intravenous contrast to give additional information about organs and other soft tissue structures.
Surgery
We offer soft tissue surgery and microsurgery services for all the pets we see. We have specialized monitoring equipment and highly trained technicians to ensure the safest possible anesthesia for your pet. Our specialized radiosurgical equipment ensures that blood loss during surgical procedures is kept to a minimum.
Our advanced analgesia protocols include local anesthesia, multimodal therapy, constant rate infusions, nerve blocks, and more. We work hard to make sure your pet’s experience with us is free of pain and anxiety.
In-Hospital Pharmacy
Our hospital pharmacy is stocked with medications commonly prescribed for reptiles. If we prescribe a medication that we don’t have in stock, we will ensure that your prescription is filled by a reliable and accredited veterinary or human pharmacy.
Hospitalization
When your reptile needs specialized care, we are here to help. We offer intensive care for our critical patients, including intravenous fluid administration, oxygen therapy, nutritional and heat support, nebulization, and necessary medications. Your pet’s hospitalization will be tailored to meet his or her unique medical needs.
Blood Testing
We can run in-house blood tests for reptiles such as packed cell volumes and chemistry panels. We partner with a laboratory to provide expedited complete blood counts, with results that return in hours rather than days. Complete blood counts examine red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Chemistry panels evaluate kidney function, liver function, glucose, blood protein, and electrolytes like calcium, sodium, and potassium. Other, more specialized blood tests can be run by shipping a sample to a laboratory as recommended by our veterinarians, such as screening for viral or bacterial diseases, or submitting biopsies.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds, a non-invasive imaging technique using ultrasonic waves, can be used to create images showing the size and shape of organs and tissues in real time. This allows us to examine the coelom of reptiles to determine the presence of fluid, eggs, organ enlargement, and masses without a more invasive procedure.
Other Diagnostic Testing
We offer Gram stains, fecal exams, and cytology exams in-house. We work with multiple laboratories around the country that offer specialized tests for reptiles, including bacterial and fungal cultures, PCR tests for viral and parasitic diseases, biopsies, and more.
Dentistry
We can perform tooth cleanings on bearded dragons and other lizards.
External Parasites
Snakes and lizards can get skin mites that can cause discomfort and anemia. Our veterinarians can prescribe prescription medications to eliminate mites from your pet and your pet’s environment.
Emergency Services During Business Hours
In case of emergency, the highly-trained veterinarians and staff at the Exotic Pet Clinic of Santa Cruz are here to help pets who are suffering from life-threatening trauma and disease. Please call us in advance so we can block off time to see your pet and can set up needed equipment in preparation for your arrival.
Our Services
Pet Bird & Poultry Services
Small Mammal Services
Reptile Services
Wildlife Services