Reptile Emergency Kit

dlegare

Established Member
In light of the horrific accidents seen lately I thought it would be prudent to share instructions on how to assemble an emergency kit for our scaly friends.

There are a lot of items in this kit so I suggest getting a few at a time until yours is complete.

1 Get the numbers of your veterinarian preferably a chameleon specialist or one that has extensive knowledge about reptiles Also write directions to the clinic
2 The number of your local emergency vet and directions to the clinic
3 The number for poison control (IN the us usually 1-800-222-1222)
4 The species of Cham or reptile, last known weight, and sex if known

Make 2 copies of these and place one on the refrigerator and the other in your emergency kit

Get a medium sized rubbermaid like container for your kit and gather the following

Nail clippers
Wire clippers
Several sizes of syringes (20ml, 10ml, 5ml, 3ml)
Ball tip stainless steel feeding needle
Quick-stop
Water based lubricant
Several cotton hand towels and wash cloths
Small flashlight or penlight
Magnifying glass
Scalpel (Preferably) or small exacto knife
Bandage scissors
Small micro scissors

Bandaging

Cotton balls
Cotton squares
Sterile gauze pads
Gauze wrap (Several sizes)
Non-stick pads (Like Telfa)
Cotton tipped applicators (Q-tips)
Wooden applicators/Tongue depressors
Band-Aids (or other type adhesive bandage)
Chemical heat and cool packs


1 or 2 bottles Pedialyte or other electrolyte replacement formulated for infants as they contain less sugar. NOT SPORTS DRINKS

Saline eye rinse
Sterile saline for irrigating wounds
Wound disinfectant (Betadine or povidone)
Triple antibiotic ointment (DO NOT GET THE ONE WITH PAIN RELIEF!)

One Small pet carrier for each reptile.

Spare Basking lamps, UV lamps, and Thermometers (I prefer Infrared temp gun style.)

Keep everything together in one place. Put the location of this kit on the not you place on the refrigerator. Its also helpful to make an inventory and place expiration dates on this so you can replace things as they expire.

Having everything together in one spot keeps us from running around like a mad man when an emergency occurs. It also helps us focus on our injured buddy instead of wondering where we last saw our penlight...

May we never need to use it...
 
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Overall, that's a very good list dlegare.

I do think you need 2 corrections though.
Magnifying lease
Do you mean a magnifying glass?
And
For providone I believe you mean povidone iodine

You might also add chlorhexidine (Hibiclens is one brand) to the list of disinfectants/wound cleaners.
 
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