Have you always dreamed of owning an exotic pet? Several times I have performed tracheal and lung washes in snakes in particular, introducing sterile saline into the airway and aspirating it back out again to sample the cells and potential pathogens causing illness, only to receive a report back from the laboratory stating that no micro-organisms were cultured even though bloods and clinical signs indicate an R.I. Similarly the sample may contain few if any cells when examined under the microscope, so this is a difficult technique and doesn’t always yield the desired results.

As for selective breeding in cows and etc., domesticated animals have a bunch of genetic diseases that are carried through linear breeding ( for example certain breeds of goats have disorders that are noticible only by reading their DNA and it causes sudden death at 5 years of age, a lot of infant deaths, no visible traits before that, while their normal lifespan is much longer), and nowadays cattle sperm is traded between breeders to keep their populations fresh.

Though many states have laws restricting and in some cases banning the possession of many of the more truly exotic animals, Custom Creature Pet Shop owner Jordan Moores rattled off a list of animals that are attainable, some with and some without permits.

So I would strongly urge at this time of year making a visit to your local reptile or exotics vet for a pre-hibernation check up. In a pet tortoise that can outlive yourself and even your children or grandchildren, this quick check up is an important annual appointment that can pick up on problems before they become too serious.

Similarly, buying pet reptiles from clean, professional outlets or breeders may also reduce the risk of acquiring an infected animal in the first place due to decreased chances of transmission between animals where hygiene and cleanliness are scrupulous.