W9327-FM

11/5/05

10:50 AM

Page xvii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This is one of the few slides that survived Hurricane Georges. It is

also one my all-time favorites. Animal Control brought a 12-foot-long
Burmese Python to my hospital. It was found under a womans
house trailerher cat was missing. Animal Control wanted me to
check if the snake had eaten the womans cat ....

On September 25, 1998, my life turned upside down.

Hurricane Georges blew through the Conch Republic, blasting winds of 113 mph and pushing a tidal surge of 8 feet.
Although the wind did little damage, the tides, the waves,
and the surge washed away everything I owned, including
approximately 20,000 slides and all of the teaching radiographs I had collected during my career.
But, you know what? It was just stuff. I was safe, thank
God my wife was safe, and my pets were safe. That was really
all I cared about.
Compared to the devastation along the Gulf Coast (after
hurricanes Katrina and Rita) and the suffering in Indonesia
and surrounding areas after the horrible tsunamis, I was
blessed.
Even more so, I have the most wonderful colleagues, associates, friends, and family in the world.
Writing and editing a book like this does require
resources, especially a comprehensive reference library and a
plethora of photographic images. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this is especially true when you are trying to
describe or teach a technique or illustrate a concept.
I cannot even begin to list all the people who have helped
me out after the hurricane. However, those who directly
aided in the production of this second edition of Reptile
Medicine and Surgery warrant mention.
Always on top of my list is my colleague, mentor, and
most important, friend, Dr. Fred Frye. Dr. Frye has unselfishly

lent me image after image, helping support my personal slide

library and augment many chapters in this book. Dr. Frye has
an infectious enthusiasm for the profession, one that I hope
will continue to spread in perpetuity.
This book really should be called Reptile Medicine and
Surgery by Douglas Mader, with images by Dr. Steve Barten.
I could not have produced such an attractive book without his
constant help with images and text.
Another source of spectacular photographs had been
Dr. Richard Funk, a consummate veterinary professional
with a sharp eye for photography. Dr. Funk has been more
than generous in sharing images and experience, as well as
contributing to many fine chapters in the book.
Dr. Karen Rosenthal has long been my friend, colleague,
and connection to the Ivory Tower. Over the years she has
shared numerous references, images, and case studies with
me. Also a splendid photographer and a computer genius,
Dr. Rosenthal has been a source of information and support.
Dr. Mike Garner has been a wonderful asset in reviewing chapters and providing images and general guidance.
It is a comfort to know that he is always there whenever
I need him.
Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, my partner in Focus Groups and
Seaturtles, has been a great source of support, information,
and knowledge. Dr. Wyneken has been a fantastic resource
for the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
(ARAV). I hope they realize how lucky they are to have her as
part of their group.
Dr. Geoff Stein was the artist for the first edition of Reptile
Medicine and Surgery. Many of his fine drawings are used
again in this edition. I thank him for his work.
Ray Kersey, formerly of WB Saunders, was instrumental in
the first and second editions of this book.
Over the past couple of years I have had the honor and
privilege of hosting dozens of senior veterinary students at my
hospital for their senior rotations. Several of these students
have contributed to the development of this book. Most have
since graduated and received their veterinary degreethey will
all make excellent veterinarians: Chad Givens, Sophia Chiang,
Jeana Knowling, Melissa Thomas, and Mariah Kochavi.
I am blessed with a terrific professional staff, many of whom
have in one way or another contributed to this text. I thank
them for going outside their normal job descriptions to help
with production: Lindy Starliper, Teresa Spencer, Linda Dwyer,
Debbie Turner, Sonya Whitt, Bret Newton, Eileen SlomkaMcFarland, Kelly Martin, Dawn Sandoval, Joe Gessler,
Liz Smith, Della Schular, Emily Witcher, Melissa Liakas, and
Celeste Weimer.
My associate veterinarians graciously helped out with
collecting data, images, and cases. Drs. Lonny Pace, Kristin

W9327-FM

11/5/05

xviii

10:50 AM

Page xviii

Acknowledgments

Hall, Stephen Anderson, Alissa Raymond, and Nikki Johnson

have all been generous with their time and experience.
Badger, my client, colleague, friend, and herpetologist
extraordinaire, has always been there with a yes, whatever
you need, Doc. It is the good people like Badger who motivate
me to keep going when I feel like quitting.
Several organizations and attractions, such as the Key West
Aquarium, the Monroe County Animal Farm, the Key West
Butterfly Conservancy, and the Theater of the Sea, have given
me many opportunities for which I am most grateful.
The Marathon Sea Turtle Hospital has been my second
hospital for the past 11 years. I have watched it mature
from a turtle rehab facility to a world-class seaturtle hospital
and research center. My thanks to Richie Moretti, Sue Schaf,
and Corinne Rose for all of their help with this book and
much more.
The ARAV has grown and matured over the years. It is
wonderful to see how the membership has increased and the
quality of the journal and conferences has improved. It is a
world-class organization with a world-class product. I am
proud to be a member.
It is always important to recognize your roots. I have to
thank the Eastern States Veterinary Association, the organizing
force behind the North American Veterinary Conference, for
giving me my first real opportunity to lecture on a professional
level. In 1987, as the undercard for Dr. Fred Frye, I presented
three lectures: Reptile Anatomy, The Effects of Temperature on
the Reptilian Immune System, and Antibiotic Therapy in
Reptiles. There were fewer than 20 people in the roomall of

whom, I am positive, were there to see Dr. Frye. Regardless,

I must have done something right, because I was invited back
and have been on the program ever since. I thank the NAVC
(and the 20 people in the room) for the opportunity.
My connection with the amateur and professional herpetologic community for the past 12 years has been REPTILES
magazine. Educated herpers are the best clients and take the
best care of their charges. REPTILES, thanks for giving me
that opportunity.
I wish to thank the wonderful editorial staff at Elsevier.
In particular, Shelly Stringer and Sarah Wunderly have been
a constant source of encouragement and nudging when I
needed it. They have been most patient and tolerant of my
work schedule, family crises, and other excuses (stranded
whales, dolphins, and loss of power from hurricanes). They
are all professionals and it is their efforts that will make this
book shine.
This book would not be successful without the help of my
petsBailey, Stanley, Puck, Pixel, and Simon. Of the tortoises,
Stella, Tracy, and Dewe, the latter two were here for the first
edition and will likely be around for the 75th as well.
Last, and most important, I need to express heartfelt
thanks and love to Geraldine, my partner in business and in
life. She has been most supportive and understanding over
the last 3 yearswith manuscript issues and otherwise.

DRM