Common Reptile Diseases & Prevention Guide

Reptiles are ectotherms, meaning their environment's temperature, humidity, and light directly impact their health. Improper equipment management is the root cause of most diseases, making environmental setup the best preventive measure.

Common Diseases and Problems

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) - **Symptoms**: Limb deformity and fractures, soft jaw, tremors and seizures - **Cause**: Calcium or vitamin D3 deficiency. The most common factor is lack of UVB lighting - **Treatment**: Calcium supplementation from a reptile specialist vet. Proper UVB lighting and dusting feeder insects with calcium powder

Retained Shed (Dysecdysis) - **Symptoms**: Old skin partially remains, especially around toes and eyes - **Cause**: Insufficient humidity, malnutrition - **Treatment**: Soak in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes and gently remove skin. Avoid forcibly pulling as this can cause injury

Appetite Loss (Anorexia) - **Symptoms**: Refusal to eat for more than two weeks - **Cause**: Improper temperature/humidity, pre-shedding, breeding season, stress - **Treatment**: Return environmental temperature to the proper range and provide adequate hides for a sense of security

Parasites (Mites, Roundworms, etc.) - **Symptoms**: Mites attached to body surface, visible worms in feces, failure to gain weight - **Cause**: Infection from wild-caught specimens or unquarantined live feeders - **Treatment**: Fecal examination and deworming medication from a reptile specialist vet

Prevention Tips

Maintain a proper temperature gradient (hot spot 35-40C, cool side around 25C) with appropriate humidity, and select UVB lighting suited to the species. Dust feeder insects with calcium powder at every feeding.

Benefits of Buying on Buri-Choku

Breeders on Buri-Choku primarily list captive-bred (CB) specimens that are already acclimated to captive environments with low parasite risk. You can verify care history and feeding status before purchase, allowing you to start keeping with confidence.