"Reptile Medicine and Surgery, Second Edition", edited by Douglas Mader, DVM. Sauders/Elsevier Publishing, 2005. 1264 pages with photos, charts, diagrams, index, and appendi. Amazon.com- $120 (http://www.amazon.com/dp/072169327X/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20)
This is pretty near THE 'bible' for reptile medicine. It is definitely written for people with strong veterinary or medical backgrounds. It covers everything from elements of managing a vet practice that sees herps to complete dosage lists for meds. Reading it is like reading an encyclopedia in a language you sorta understand- long passages make little sense to me, but a lot of the book is clear and insightful.
Since it covers ALL herps, it does not spend any special time with tortoises, so you often have to wade through a lot of stuff to get answers. I find that the index is only fair in helping me find what I want- but in a book this thick, I guess that is only to be expected.
Some things from the book:
- Almost no discussion of oxalates, and barely any mention of goiterogens. Does not seem to feel that these are issues when diet and cares are OK. Mentions oxalates in the bladder stone section but obviously feels dehydration is a bigger issue.
- Frank admission that we do not know vitamin and mineral needs for more reptiles, but does offer clinical dosages that work.
- A discussion of fluorescent lights that shows that standard GE Cool White bulbs do more to process vitamin D than Reptisun 2.0 or some other low-level UVB bulbs (p.1082)
- Great section on cleanliness with the idea to feed using 'pads' of newspaper that can be discarded after use.
- One of the best short 'care for herps' outlines I have ever seen.
- and more and more and more and more.
- The formula for daily calorie needs,
I would LOVE to get Dr. Mader to do a version of his book for the average keeper- I think it would blow a lot of the other books on the market away.
A very good book that has quite a bit for the average keeper, but that is priced more for the research nerds and bigger keepers.
This is pretty near THE 'bible' for reptile medicine. It is definitely written for people with strong veterinary or medical backgrounds. It covers everything from elements of managing a vet practice that sees herps to complete dosage lists for meds. Reading it is like reading an encyclopedia in a language you sorta understand- long passages make little sense to me, but a lot of the book is clear and insightful.
Since it covers ALL herps, it does not spend any special time with tortoises, so you often have to wade through a lot of stuff to get answers. I find that the index is only fair in helping me find what I want- but in a book this thick, I guess that is only to be expected.
Some things from the book:
- Almost no discussion of oxalates, and barely any mention of goiterogens. Does not seem to feel that these are issues when diet and cares are OK. Mentions oxalates in the bladder stone section but obviously feels dehydration is a bigger issue.
- Frank admission that we do not know vitamin and mineral needs for more reptiles, but does offer clinical dosages that work.
- A discussion of fluorescent lights that shows that standard GE Cool White bulbs do more to process vitamin D than Reptisun 2.0 or some other low-level UVB bulbs (p.1082)
- Great section on cleanliness with the idea to feed using 'pads' of newspaper that can be discarded after use.
- One of the best short 'care for herps' outlines I have ever seen.
- and more and more and more and more.
- The formula for daily calorie needs,
I would LOVE to get Dr. Mader to do a version of his book for the average keeper- I think it would blow a lot of the other books on the market away.
A very good book that has quite a bit for the average keeper, but that is priced more for the research nerds and bigger keepers.