Here at Gaia Vets, we see many cases of sick terrapins and have garnered years of experience treating these adorable reptiles.
Many people mistake terrapins for tortoises or even turtles, and have the misconception that they are fuss-free pets. This is a myth that our vets often have to dispel, especially for first-time terrapin owners.
As reptiles, their physical environment and surrounding temperature is crucial to their well-being. Our more common pets in Singapore are mammals and tend not to require such stringent requirements for their physical environment.
“Treat your terrapins like fish. Because water quality affects their welfare even though they occupy wet and dry areas. Dirty water can make them sick.” – Dr Arman
We routinely treat Reptiles and Exotic Pets
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Great after-hours care, very reasonable consultation and medication prices, caring and professional staff. Gaia Vets is our preferred vet!” - Joel L.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “As a first time owner I felt like I have learnt quite a lot from just this check-up. If I ever need to go back to a vet, I will go back here again! Affordable and good.”- Christabelle C.
We are one of the few vet clinics in Singapore that sees terrapins and exotic animals. Our vets are trained to be on the front-line to assess common ailments and are fully equipped to treat reptiles, e.g. x-rays to assess shell fractures in terrapins.
We are also one of few animal hospitals in Singapore that do CT-scans in house, an essential diagnostic tool which helps our vets detect certain illnesses such as cancer.
Although we have fixed consultation hours for appointments or walk-ins, our hospital is well-equipped and able to provide round-the-clock dedicated care for critically ill or injured terrapins.
How is Gaia Vets different from other vets in Singapore?
We recognise that pet owners play an important role in keeping pets healthy and believe that high-quality pet care is made possible only with combined efforts from pet owners and vets.
That is why our vets are trained to diagnose, assess and treat every terrapin as individual cases based on their unique medical history and home environment.
From dietary concerns, to water quality in the tank, our vets are very willing to share tips and advice to address the concerns of terrapin owners and offer solutions relevant to their context wherever possible.
How do I know if my terrapin is sick?
Exotic animals make wonderful pets but they may not be as expressive or tend to show their discomfort. This is especially true for terrapins. Similar to turtles and tortoises, terrapins tend show very subtle signs of illness which means pet owners need to be even more vigilant and have ready access to veterinary help.
If your pet terrapin is showing one or more of these symptoms below, it’s time bring it to Gaia Vets for a detailed check-up.
Below are some common signs of illnesses:
If your terrapin stops eating, is eating less or seems to have reduced appetite
If your terrapin seems to be less active than usual
If you notice any swelling on your terrapin’s skin or on the body. These can be abscesses that usually develop in their ears, and look like large swellings on the sides of the head, just behind the eyes.
If you notice any discharge on the nostrils or bubbles in your pet terrapin’s mouth, nose, and eyes.
As long as your pet terrapin deviates from its normal behaviour, you should see a vet as soon as possible for a check.
Does Gaia Vets provide regular health-checks for reptiles?
Yes we do! Prevention is better than cure and we highly encourage pet owners to bring their pets in for annual health check-ups. Common issues for terrapins such as bacterial infection on the shell may not be obvious and can be easily treated if detected early.
How do I reach Gaia Vets?
We are located at 5 Opal Crescent, Singapore 328400 in the Potong Pasir/Serangoon area. You can book an appointment with us at 6950 4533.
Our consultation hours for walk-ins and appointments are:
Mondays - Fridays: 10am - 10pm
Saturdays: 9am - 9pm
Sundays: 9am - 12.30pm; 1.30pm - 5pm
Can I book an online vet consultation for my pet terrapin?
Although Gaia Vets provides online consultation services, we still highly encourage you to bring your terrapin for a physical examination at our clinic.