Diagnosis and management of reptile orthopedic injuries.
As veterinarians expand their understanding of the specific husbandry requirements for captive reptiles, nutritionally associated orthopedic injuries should decrease. Orthopedic injuries in wild reptiles, however, will continue to increase as new infrastructure encroaches on the habitats of these animals. Research should be pursued that focuses on improving our understanding of pain management in reptiles, on developing techniques to expedite bone healing, and on creating new orthopedic techniques that provide rigid stabilization without the use of temperature-sensitive materials.
Mitchell
Mark A
MA
Departments of Zoological Medicine and Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Mitchell@vetmed.lsu.edu
D000818:Animals; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000662:veterinary*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012104:Reptiles / Q000293:injuries*