Paré Jean A, Lentini Andrew M
Animal Health Centre, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7, Canada.
Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2010 Jan;13(1):15-25. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2009.09.003.
Although basic notions, such as life expectancy, and thus what constitutes old age, remain to be determined in the vast majority of reptile species, there is a tendency at least for captive reptiles to live longer now than in the past. Clinicians are expected to recognize signs of senescence or old age in reptile patients, to acquire a heightened index of suspicion for diseases likely to affect older individuals of a given species or taxon, and to provide sound advice on geriatric care of such patients. Reptiles are stoic and show few signs of aging, but subtle changes in behavior, mobility, reproduction, weight, or appetite may all signal the onset of senescence to the vigilant caregiver. Serial, for example, yearly or biannual physical examination, blood sampling, and imaging initiated at maturity or earlier are probably the most powerful tools in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing geriatric issues.
尽管诸如预期寿命以及由此确定何为老年等基本概念，在绝大多数爬行动物种中仍有待确定，但至少圈养的爬行动物现在有比过去活得更长的趋势。临床医生需要识别爬行动物患者的衰老迹象，对可能影响特定物种或分类群老年个体的疾病提高怀疑指数，并就此类患者的老年护理提供合理建议。爬行动物坚忍，几乎没有衰老迹象，但行为、活动能力、繁殖、体重或食欲的细微变化，对于警惕的护理人员而言，都可能预示着衰老的开始。例如，从成熟时或更早开始进行的连续（如每年或每两年一次）体检、采血和成像，可能是诊断、监测和处理老年问题最有效的工具。
