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 Dipl. ECZM (BE)
Dr. Lionel Schilliger Dipl. ECZM, DABVP (FR)
Ass.-Prof. Dr. med. vet. Michaela Gumpenberger Dipl. ECVDI (AT)
Dr. Jeff Schreiner (AT)
Dr. Cornelia Konicek Dipl. ECZM (AT)
Dr. Javier Nevarez Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ECZM (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 / Schreiner
     Evening      Social Dinner

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 / Konicek

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