Post by LadyViper on Oct 9, 2006 11:48:47 GMT -6
Problems Associated with Overfeeding Reptiles
by David Doherty, D.V.M.
The Herpetoculturists of the 1990's have been guilty of overfeeding their
reptile pets. In some cases, this may be due to ignorance of their pet's
nutritional demands. Often, however, overfeeding may be intentional with
the specific purpose of obtaining rapid growth. Regardless of why a reptile
is overfed, the net result of this practice can cause serious health
problems.
Overfeeding will result in excess intake of calories. In young reptiles,
abnormally rapid growth rates can result. In adult animals, obesity can
result. Both of these situations can lead to serious health problems which
with a more appropriate feeding schedule could be avoided.
One specific health problem seen in overfed reptiles is hepatic lipidosis.
this condition is sometimes also referred to as fatty liver. Obese reptiles
store fat in their coelomic (abdominal) cavity, under their skin and, in
severe cases, i n their internal organs. The liver is the primary organ
affected by this. Fatty infiltration of the liver results when the reptile
consumes calories at a faster rate than the body can burn them and the
traditional storage sites can accommodate them. Over a period of time,
healthy liver cells are infiltrated with fat to a point where the liver
cannot function properly. These snakes often become lethargic and
anorectic, and may eventually die. When examined after death (a necropsy),
the liver will be grossly inflated with fat which is highly suggestive of
hepatic lipidosis as the underlying cause of death. This condition is much
more common than many people realize and probably explains many mysterious
snake deaths in captive raised, overfed, otherwise healthy animals. If a
snake seems to be a good candidate for his condition and is still feeding, a
gradual tapering off of food would be more appropriate than a starvation
diet. Ideally, younger and leaner food items would be given in smaller
amounts and less frequently. If this condition is suspected in a snake that
has stopped eating, force-feeding will probably be necessary and the
prognosis will be guarded.
Another fairly common problem associated with overfeeding is seen in some
turtles and tortoises. Shell deformities such as pyramiding can be the
result of overfeeding, especially when inappropriate diets are involved. An
example of this is seen when tortoises are overfed diets too high in protein
such as dog or cat food.
Many herpetoculturists also noted a vague correlation between overfeeding
and dystocia (egg-binding) in snakes. Once again, in an effort to achieve
maximum growth rates, many future breeder animals are fed very heavily as
youngsters. This results in young snakes achieving adult size prematurely.
Often these overfed snakes are obese and have poor muscle tone. Obesity is
one of a few factors that have been associated with egg retention in snakes
and other reptiles and this is another good reason not to overfeed our
reptile pets.
In humans and other animals, overeating and obesity has been implicated in
many disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and even cancer.
While there is not much definitive evidence linking these conditions to
overfeeding reptiles, common sense would suggest that there could be reason
for concern here, too. Keep in mind that captive animals, including
reptiles, are generally less active and therefore more prone to obesity than
their wild counterparts. If you are not sure if your pet is overweight or
being overfed, it is best to ask someone with more experience in keeping
that type of pet. Have your pet examined by a veterinarian, or check any
number of readily available references.
Dr. Doherty is one of the leading reptile vets in the greater Houston area.
You can reach him at the Grogans Mill Pet Clinic in the Woodlands
281-367-5726. While much of this article has references to snakes, the
information in it equally applies to turtles & tortoises.
by David Doherty, D.V.M.
The Herpetoculturists of the 1990's have been guilty of overfeeding their
reptile pets. In some cases, this may be due to ignorance of their pet's
nutritional demands. Often, however, overfeeding may be intentional with
the specific purpose of obtaining rapid growth. Regardless of why a reptile
is overfed, the net result of this practice can cause serious health
problems.
Overfeeding will result in excess intake of calories. In young reptiles,
abnormally rapid growth rates can result. In adult animals, obesity can
result. Both of these situations can lead to serious health problems which
with a more appropriate feeding schedule could be avoided.
One specific health problem seen in overfed reptiles is hepatic lipidosis.
this condition is sometimes also referred to as fatty liver. Obese reptiles
store fat in their coelomic (abdominal) cavity, under their skin and, in
severe cases, i n their internal organs. The liver is the primary organ
affected by this. Fatty infiltration of the liver results when the reptile
consumes calories at a faster rate than the body can burn them and the
traditional storage sites can accommodate them. Over a period of time,
healthy liver cells are infiltrated with fat to a point where the liver
cannot function properly. These snakes often become lethargic and
anorectic, and may eventually die. When examined after death (a necropsy),
the liver will be grossly inflated with fat which is highly suggestive of
hepatic lipidosis as the underlying cause of death. This condition is much
more common than many people realize and probably explains many mysterious
snake deaths in captive raised, overfed, otherwise healthy animals. If a
snake seems to be a good candidate for his condition and is still feeding, a
gradual tapering off of food would be more appropriate than a starvation
diet. Ideally, younger and leaner food items would be given in smaller
amounts and less frequently. If this condition is suspected in a snake that
has stopped eating, force-feeding will probably be necessary and the
prognosis will be guarded.
Another fairly common problem associated with overfeeding is seen in some
turtles and tortoises. Shell deformities such as pyramiding can be the
result of overfeeding, especially when inappropriate diets are involved. An
example of this is seen when tortoises are overfed diets too high in protein
such as dog or cat food.
Many herpetoculturists also noted a vague correlation between overfeeding
and dystocia (egg-binding) in snakes. Once again, in an effort to achieve
maximum growth rates, many future breeder animals are fed very heavily as
youngsters. This results in young snakes achieving adult size prematurely.
Often these overfed snakes are obese and have poor muscle tone. Obesity is
one of a few factors that have been associated with egg retention in snakes
and other reptiles and this is another good reason not to overfeed our
reptile pets.
In humans and other animals, overeating and obesity has been implicated in
many disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and even cancer.
While there is not much definitive evidence linking these conditions to
overfeeding reptiles, common sense would suggest that there could be reason
for concern here, too. Keep in mind that captive animals, including
reptiles, are generally less active and therefore more prone to obesity than
their wild counterparts. If you are not sure if your pet is overweight or
being overfed, it is best to ask someone with more experience in keeping
that type of pet. Have your pet examined by a veterinarian, or check any
number of readily available references.
Dr. Doherty is one of the leading reptile vets in the greater Houston area.
You can reach him at the Grogans Mill Pet Clinic in the Woodlands
281-367-5726. While much of this article has references to snakes, the
information in it equally applies to turtles & tortoises.