Anesthesia in reptiles and amphibia may differ from other animals, and a thorough knowledge of the species involved is needed. The animal should be subjected to a pre-anesthetic protocol. In reptile surgery the same hygienic measurements as in warm-blooded animals are necessary. A number of anesthetic protocols will be discussed.

The way of closing surgical skin wounds may be different in reptiles. Intra-cutaneous stitches are sometimes possible. But most of the time inverted stitches of the skin with non-absorbable monofilament are preferred. They will remain in the animal for about 6 weeks.

A number of selected surgical cases will be presented. The difference in the approach of cases of dystocia versus pre-ovulatory follicle stasis in iguanas. Bladder stones in green iguana. Cloacal prolaps in different species of reptiles. Amputation of the tail in lizards. Celiotomy in snakes. Surgery on an Aldabra tortoise with sand impaction. Surgical removal of a foreign object from the gut of a leopard tortoise with laparoscopical technique. Surgery of a frog with a cholestetoma. Amputation of the leg of a bearded dragon and a dwarf crocodile. Carapace repair of a red eared slider that was bitten by a dog.