Diseases of terrarium animals

Question 1

Proper husbandry is important because…

Answer 1

Incorrect husbandry is responsible for
stress and many diseases in reptiles.

Proper husbandry is the most important
factor for keeping reptiles healthy.

To prevent a disease is always better than
to treat one.

Knowing the proper husbandry helps to
diagnose and treat various diseases in
reptiles.

Question 2

Non-specific clinical signs of Nutritional disorders in reptiles:

Answer 2

lethargy, anorexia, constipation, dystocia, skeletal deformities, fractures, muscle tremors, paresis, neurological signs

Question 3

Most common diseases to affect reptiles.

Answer 3

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (Metabolic bone disease)

Liver lipidosis

Hypovitaminosis A

Nutritional secondary hypothyroidsm

Fungal disease

Respiratory infections

Question 4

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is also known as?
Is what exactly?

Answer 4

Metabolicbone disease

Deficiencies in dietary calcium and/or vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 deficiencies occur due to insufficient intake (especially nonherbivores) or lack of adequate exposure to UVB radiation.

UVB radiation is required for vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium absorption.

Inappropriate CA:P ratio in the diet also causes insufficient Ca intake.

Most common disease in lizards and chelonians and other herbivorous and
insectivorous species.

Animals who eat a whole vertebrate prey are not affected.

Question 5

Mechanism behind metabolic bone disease.

Answer 5

Chronically low Ca2+ levels induce the increased secretion of PTH causing hyperparathyroidism.

This in turn increases resorption of Ca2+ from bone stores because the animal is not receiving enough in its diet.

Osteomalacia occurs.

Question 6

Clinical signs of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Answer 6

Can be variable

Lethargy, reduced appetite, constipation,
dystocia, preovulatory stasis.

Skeletal deformities, fractures, demineralization of the jaw (rubber jaw).

The shell of chelonians can be deformed and
poorly mineralized.

Once body’s calcium stores are depleted and
blood calcium levels cannot be maintained other clinical signs appear.

Muscle twitching, tremors, paresis and neurological signs.

Question 7

Diagnosis of NSHP.

Answer 7

Thorough history about husbandry
Radiographs +/-
Bloodworks: ionized calcium, Ca:P

Question 8

Treatment of NSHP.

Answer 8

Parenteral calcium (only in hypocalcemic crisis).

Oral calcium

Correcting the husbandry

In rare cases active vitamin d3 supplementation.

Question 9

The amount of carotene (precursor to Vit A) present in plants is proportional to the

Answer 9

depth of the color green and yellow pigment in the plants.

Question 10

Herbivorous reptiles are able to synthesize vitamin A from

Answer 10

dietary carotenoids.

Carotenoids are absorbed from the intestine.

Question 11

Hypervitaminosis A is always

Answer 11

iatrogenic.

It may take months the clinical signs to develop.

Question 12

Hypovitaminosis A is a common problem in which reptiles?

Answer 12

Common problem in aquatic turtles, box turtles and insectivorous reptiles.

Normal epithelial cells are replaced with
keratinizing epithelium. Continued changing of cells leads to accumulation of changed debris.

This predisposes to secondary infections of the
periocular tissue, upper respiratory tract and oral cavity.

Question 13

Clinical signs of hypovitaminosis A

Answer 13

Reduced growth, lethargy, anorexia, upper respiratory tract infections.

Most commonly seen in semiaquatic turtles is swelling of eyelids, conjunctivitis and
accumulation of debris within the conjunctival sacs.

Often these changes ae bilateral and loss of vision causes anorexia.

Secondary bacterial infections are common.

In the mouth: ulcerations, stomatitis, glossitis and plaque formation can be found; lip swelling. Even tail tip necrosis and skeletal abnormalities.

Question 14

Diagnosis of hypovitaminosis A

Answer 14

Dietary history
Clinical signs
Response to treatment confirms the diagnosis
Liver biopsies

Question 15

Treatment of hypovitaminosis A

Answer 15

Vitamin A supplementation
Treatment of secondary infections
Cleaning of the ocular debris

Question 16

Explain Nutritional secondary hypothyroidism in reptiles.

Answer 16

Deficiencies of thyroid hormones can
occur because of insufficient dietary
iodine intake or because of excessive
intake of goitrogenic pan material
(cruciferous plants) such as Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, kale.

These plants contain substances that
interfere with iodine uptake.

This disease has Mostly been reported in herbivorous lizards and chelonians.

Question 17

Clinical signs of Nutritional secondary hypothyroidism.

Answer 17

Edema of the neck, head and forelimbs
Decreased appetite
Lethargy
Reproductive failure
Congenital malformations
Prolonged gestation
Skin problems
Dwarfism
Stunted growth
Reduced metabolic rates

Question 18

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Nutritional secondary hypothyroidism.

Answer 18

Difficult to diagnose
Thyroid stimulation test
Blood work

Treatment with Iodine supplementation.
Changing of the diet.

Prevention: Feeding seaweed.
Avoid feeding cruciferous plants in large quantities.

Question 19

Describe Dehydration in reptiles.

Answer 19

Most often correlated with incorrect husbandry.

Low humidity and lack of temperature gradient.

Lack of water source.

Clinical signs:
Are Usually subtle when mild
Improper ecdysis (shedding)
Sunken eyes
Anorexia

Question 20

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dehydration in reptiles.

Answer 20

Diagnosis Based on clinical signs.
Blood works: plasma electrolytes and uric acid.

Treatment with Subcutaneous or intravenous fluids. Soaking in water.

Prevention: Adequate humidity and temperature in terrarium.
Regular soaking in water.

Question 21

Describe obesity in reptiles.

Answer 21

Free access to food can lead to overconsumption. Food items high in fat will promote obesity.

Earlier stages of cockroaches and crickets are higher in protein and lower in fat
compared to older animals.

Lack of hibernation in captivity can be a cause of obesity in some reptiles.

Clinical signs
Excessive celomatic fat storage may lead to coelomic distention.

Excessive fat over the vertebral column and some geckos store fat in their tail.

Fatty infiltration of parenchymal organs (liver).

Question 22

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of obesity in reptiles.

Answer 22

Diagnosing via Physical examination,
History.

Treatment and prevention: Weight should be monitored closely at home. Overfeeding and small enclosures should be avoided.

Dietary change and increasing exercise.
Carnivores should be fed very lean prey.
Herbivores should have an increase in dietary fiber.

Question 23

Describe Anorexia and cachexia in reptiles.

Answer 23

Anorexia leading to starvation and cachexia can be from variety of causes.

In particular incorrect husbandry should be considered. Inappropriate food items, stress, wrong temperatures.

Reduced food and consequently caloric intake will lead to loss of muscle and fat tissue and will lead to dehydration unless water intake is maintained.

Mobilization of body fat can lead to increased accumulation of fat within the
hepatocytes leading to hepatic lipidosis which may contribute to anorexia.

Question 24

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of anorexia/cachexia in reptiles.

Answer 24

Clinical signs are Loss of muscle and body fat with prolonged anorexia. Prominent vertebral processes and iliac crests. Eyes may be sunken.

Animals can be bright and alert or lethargic and depressed depending on the underlying
cause.

Diagnosis: History of husbandry, Ruling out other causes.

Treatment: Correcting dehydration and provide nutritional support. Enteral feeding.
Be cautious of refeeding syndrome!!!

Question 25

Describe Soft feces and diarrhea in reptiles.

Answer 25

Fecal consistency varies between species and depends mainly on their diet. Soft feces or diarrhea is common.

Especially in herbivorous reptiles being fed an inappropriate diet low in fiber and/or high in carbohydrates.

Environmentally incorrect temperatures may lead to decreased gastrointestinal motility
and GI disturbances.

Endoparasites are a very common cause for soft feces and diarrhea.

Question 26

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Soft feces and diarrhea in reptiles.

Answer 26

Clinical signs: No signs or unspecific signs.
Lethargy, reduced appetite, dehydration.
Tympany and gastrointestinal disorders.

Diagnosis: History of husbandry, detailed description of diet. Physical examination, fecal parasitology.

Treatment: Depends on the underlying cause. Husbandry deficiencies have to be corrected.

Question 27

Constipation in reptiles.

Answer 27

Most common causes are lack of fiber in a diet or inadequate exercise.

Other causes include:

Chronic dehydration caused by incorrect environmental temperatures.

Insufficient water source or incorrect humidity.

Long-haired prey or hard-shelled insect prey
Ingestion of substrate

Diseases unrelated to diet on husbandry

Question 28

Signs, Diagnosis, treatment of constipation in reptiles.

Answer 28

Lack or reduced fecal output with or without straining. Anorexia, dehydration and lethargy can also be apparent.

Diagnosis: X-rays or CT. Contrasted x.rays or bloodwork to rule out medical causes.

Treatment: Correcting the deficiencies in husbandry.
Correcting dehydration and increasing fiber in the diet.
Enteral fluid
Enemas or cloacal washes are very effective:
With warm water and lubricant.

Question 29

Dehydration in amphibians.

Answer 29

Dehydration in amphibians can be caused by too low humidity or skin disease.

Can be fatal to amphibians.

Clinical signs: dry ropy mucus in the mouth, sunken eyes, weight loss, oliguria or anuria, wrinkled, tacky or discolored skin that may be tight skin over the dorsum.

Diagnosing: history about husbandry, clinical examination.

Treatment: transdermal fluid, injectable fluid, increasing humidity in environment.

Question 30

Fungal disease in amphibians.

Answer 30

Is a common disease in captive and wild amphibians.

Most common fungus is Chytrid Fungus.

Low humidity, bad ventilation are predisposing factors.

Often a primary condition; the chytrid fungus can also serve as an opportunistic organism causing immune compromised amphibians to get infected.

Question 31

Signs, diagnosis, tx of Fungal disease in amphibians.

Answer 31

Clinical signs: red or discolored skin, excessive skin shedding or dysecdysis, abnormal behavior, neurological defects, sudden death.

Diagnosis: cytological, histological examination, PCR testing.

Treatment: antifungal bath, correcting the husbandry issues.

Other funguses: chromomycosis, mucormycosis, candidiasis.

Question 32

Metabolic bone disease in amphibians.

Answer 32

Amphibians adapted for hard alkaline water so maintained in soft acidic water have bigger risk.

Fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, king mealworms, or waxworms that have not been supplemented with calcium via gut loading or dusting is a risk factor.

Has the same pathology mechanism as with reptiles.

Clinical signs: tetany, paralysis, or bloating, anorexia, limb or mouth deformities.

Diagnosis: history, x-rays, excluding medical causes.

Treatment: supplemental calcium, correcting the diet.

Question 33

Dehydration in tarantulas.

Answer 33

Usually due to poor care or improper shipping.

For a beginner sometimes difficult to notice and when noticed, the dehydration is quite
severe.

The abdomen is quite small.
Dehydrated tarantula should be put prosoma downward into a water dish for 45 minutes.

If necessary it should be placed in a box with wetted napkin in a warm and dark place for
three days.

Also fluid can be injected into the abdomen.

Sometimes it works and sometimes the tarantula is too sick to survive.

Most important is to correct the husbandry.