Reading recommendations

GyGbeetle · 01-09-17, 03:46 AM

I'm realizing that I'm incredibly ignorant about caring for my snakes, outside of the typical husbandry, and I would like to hear of any recommendations for medical literature on the care snakes, primarily boidae and pythonidae. I'm looking for something beyond the basics; medical background and anatomy, something that you might get while learning to be a vet. Or even some herpetology books. Otherwise, I think I might end up supporting my vet and put all of his kids to college.

TRD · 01-09-17, 07:26 AM

I have this book, which is actually targetted to vets, but it has a ton of details with good descriptions -

https://www.amazon.com/Reptile-Medic.../dp/072169327X

It does not discuss husbandry in great detail though, there are other books for that. It will explain you how certain behaviors/illnesses are related to improper husbandry.

It goes down to the level of performing surgery, so I guess that is way beyond what you look for.

It will also tell you how to do a physical examination of any reptile or amphibian, what signs to look for, which steps should be taken in case any test fails, which illnesses may be associates to it, etc etc etc. It's rather extensive.

pet_snake_78 · 01-11-17, 11:50 PM

That's a good one above which I have. It might be a bit pricey to get started with.
EcoUniverse tends to have good books. A less expensive but good resource I like is "Snake Diseases: Preventing and Recognizing Illness"

GyGbeetle · 01-12-17, 02:51 PM

Thanks both. These are some great recommendations.

REM955 · 01-12-17, 05:11 PM

One thing about the book on Mader.
My vet actually suggested it to me as well, but did say there is a new version coming out sometime in the near future.
I did a bit of research and it is not a hard date, but it seems Edition 2 will be released in August.

TRD · 01-12-17, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REM955

One thing about the book on Mader.
My vet actually suggested it to me as well, but did say there is a new version coming out sometime in the near future.
I did a bit of research and it is not a hard date, but it seems Edition 2 will be released in August.

Yes, the one I posted is the 2nd edition, but it's from 2006.

There's a new one from 2014, but I didn't get it (couldn't) and it's odd because the old is about 1300 pages and the new doesn't even reach 500. I'm also not sure if the 2014 book, while titled almost the same, has the same elaborate content.

2006 release: Reptile Medicine and Surgery : Stephen J. Divers : 9780721693279

2014 release: Current Therapy in Reptile Medicine and Surgery : Douglas R. Mader : 9781455708932

I never got a chance to view inside of the 2014 book, maybe it's completely different content wise. don't know.

Without doubt I will likely get the new release of the 2006 edition, if it's not priced like a trip to outer space. It's very interesting reading material.