Exotic Pet – Reptiles: Herpetological Medicine and Surgery

Name: Exotic Pet – Reptiles: Herpetological Medicine and Surgery
Start: 2026-06-01T00:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-05T23:59:59+02:00
Location: Vienna, Austria

Registration open

Program Director:

Dr. Charly Pignon, Dipl. ECZM (FR)

Principal Course Master(s):

Dr. Rachel E. Marschang, Dipl. ECVM, Dipl. ECZM (DE)

Instructor(s):

Dr. Tom Hellebuyck (BE)
Dr. Lionel Schilliger (FR)
Ass.-Prof. Dr. med. vet. Michaela Gumpenberger (AT)
Dr. Jeff Schreiner (LU)
Dr. Cornelia Konicek (AT)
Dr. Javier Nevarez (USA)

Course Overview

This course is designed for veterinarians seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge and practical skills in reptile medicine and surgery. The course provides an in-depth exploration of reptile taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, and husbandry, with a primary focus on snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises commonly encountered in European clinical practice. Participants will gain essential expertise in areas such as nutrition, clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia and analgesia, infectious diseases, internal medicine, surgery, and endoscopy. Through lectures, interactive workshops, and case-based discussions, attendees will develop the confidence and competence to manage a wide range of reptilian medical conditions and deliver high-quality care in clinical settings.

Course Program (Subject to change)

Monday, 1 June 2026

08:00 – 08:30 Welcome and introduction Marschang
08:30 – 10:30 Husbandry and nutrition of reptiles Schreiner / Schilliger
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Clinical exam and techniques – Part 1: Schilliger
– Introduction to the clinical exam
– Sampling
– Administration of medication
– Fluids & nutritional support
12:30 – 13:00 Questions and discussion Marschang / Schilliger / Schreiner
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00 Clinical exam and techniques – Part 2: Schilliger / Hellebuyck / Schreiner
– Physical restraint of various reptiles
– Venomous reptile handling
– Clinical examination
– Sample collection, including blood
– Administration of medication, various routes
– Nutritional support, oesophageal tube placement
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 18:30 Clinical exam and techniques – Part 2: continuation Schilliger / Hellebuyck / Schrein

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

08:30 – 10:30 Basic diagnostic imaging Gumpenberger / Schilliger
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00 Basic diagnostic imaging: continuation Gumpenberger / Schilliger
13:00 – 13:30 Questions and discussion Gumpenberger / Schilliger / Hellebuyck
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch Break
14:30 – 16:00 Diagnostic imaging: radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound Schilliger / Gumpenberger / Konicek
– Interactive case discussions and practical workshop
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 18:30 Diagnostic imaging: radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound Schilliger / Gumpenberger / Konicek
– Interactive case discussions and practical workshop

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

08:30 – 09:30 Reproduction: Hellebuyck
– Overview of reproductive strategies in various reptiles
– Common pathologies and interventions
09:30 – 10:30 Urinary tract: Hellebuyck
– Overview of causes of disease
– Common pathologies and interventions
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30 Haematology + Biochemistry: Marschang
– Overview of testing in reptiles
– Methods
– Interpretation of results
– Case discussions
11:30 – 12:30 Anaesthesia and Analgesia: Hellebuyck
– Basic consideration
– Common protocols
– Possible problems and interventions
12:30 – 13:00 Questions and discussion Hellebuyck / Marschang
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00 Surgery and endoscopy: Hellebuyck / Konicek
– Abdominal surgery in various groups of reptiles
– Plastrotomy
– Ovariectomy endoscopic surgery
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 18:30 Surgery and endoscopy:continuation Hellebuyck / Konice

Thursday, 4 June 2026

08:30 – 09:30 Parasitology: Hellebuyck
– Common gastrointestinal parasites of reptiles, diagnosis and treatment
09:30 – 10:30 Infectious diseases – Part 1: bacteria and fungi Marschang
– Common bacterial and fungal diseases of reptiles, diagnosis and treatment
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 Infectious diseases – Part 2: viruses Marschang
– Common viral diseases of reptiles, diagnosis and treatment
12:00 – 12:30 Questions and discussion Hellebuyck / Marschang
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Dermatology: Hellebuyck / Marschang
– Common dermatological lesions in reptiles, causes, diagnosis, treatment
15:00 – 16:00 Respiratory tract: Marschang
– Diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, diagnosis, treatments
16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:30 Medicine and diseases of crocodilians: Nevarez
17:30 – 18:30 Certificate and CASUS system Marschang

Friday, 5 June 2026

08:30 – 09:30 Gastrointestinal tract and liver: Hellebuyck
– Overview of causes of disease, common pathologies and interventions
09:30 – 10:30 Neurology: Hellebuyck
– Neurological exam in reptiles, common problems, differential diagnoses
10:30 – 11:00 Questions and discussion Hellebuyck
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 13:30 Common diseases of tortoises and turtles: case discussions Hellebuyck / Marschang
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch Break
14:30 – 16:30 Common diseases of snakes: case discussions Hellebuyck / Marschang
16:30 – 17:30 Common diseases of lizards: case discussions Hellebuyck / Marschang
17:30 – 17:45 Coffee Break
17:45 – 18:15 Final questions, overview, discussion Marschang