If reptile transport in the winter scares you, you're not alone.
Aside from finding an exotic veterinarian to treat your pet, and an exotic veterinarian that sees emergencies, keeping your reptile warm while transporting him to the vet while he is not up to par is critical.
Why Is It Important?
A cold shock is all it takes to seriously harm, or even kill, a small and sickly reptile. Many pets come into the animal hospital worse off then when they left home just from being out in the cold. Therefore the importance of warming up the vehicle before transport is stressed to aid in keeping your reptile warm.
First Steps
Before taking your reptile outside, and after the vehicle is warmed for a few minutes, place the reptile in a container with a lid and vents. A lid keeps the reptile and the heat in the container and the vents prevent him from suffocating. Large plastic containers with holes punched in them are ideal for larger reptiles.
Adding Warmth
Add some paper towels, newspaper, or some of the reptile's own bedding to the container to absorb any wastes made on the trip and allow your smaller reptile's to burrow or keep warm in the bedding. Bath towels are also a good way to keep them warm.
You can also add a hot water bottle, or latex glove filled with hot water to the travel container to help heat the reptile and container. Make sure the water bottle or glove is not so hot that you cannot comfortably hold it in your hand. You can burn your reptile if it is too hot. If you are not sure whether or not it is too hot, wrap it in a towel.
If you do a little planning, you can make the trip to the vet more comfortable and less stressful for you and your scaly friend.
