Pets should be examined carefully before purchase in order to keep the risk of disease down to an absolute minimum. The following points should be kept in mind:
- Checking the mouth: The mouth should be closed and free of foam or slimy films.
- Checking the eyes: Shedding should be complete, the eyes should not be too deep in the sockets.
- Checking the skin: Check for wounds, boils and other irregularities.
- Checking the feet: Check the toes and feet of lizards for unshed skin which can cause constrictions.
- Checking the shell of a turtle: Only very young turtles should have soft shells.
- Checking nutritional condition: The skin should not have too many folds and the ribs or vertebrae should not be too prominent.
- Checking a spider: It should have all 8 legs. Whitish, fungus-like areas on the body are suspicious, whereas a “bald patch” on the abdomen presents no problem.
© 28.09.2017
