Parasitic Diseases of Reptiles

Question 1

can cause skin of reptiles appears coarse, and dysecdysis is frequent.

Answer 1

Mites infes

Question 2

common snake mite

Answer 2

• a. Ophionyssus natricis) *lizard mite (b. Hirstiellaspp) are generally <1.5 mm long and are often found around the eyes, gluttal folds, or any other indentation on the reptile.

Question 3

Mites may also be associated with mechanical transmission of?

Answer 3

Aeromonas hydrophila

a variety of other bacteria, rickettsial agents, and probably viruses

Question 4

what to do if mites are suspected?

Answer 4

• gently rubbing the reptile while it is standing over a piece of white paper will allow the mites to be seen after they have fallen off
• spend an inordinate amount of time soaking to drown the mites
• Examination of the water dish can reveal the drowned remains of many mites.

*gluttal folds,are favored areas and should be inspected carefully.

Question 5

methods of treatment for mites infestation

Answer 5

• permethrin is specifically licensed for use in reptiles, and
• ivermectin is also frequently effective in squamates.

Question 6

may cause paralysis, with muscle degeneration at the site of the bite

Answer 6

. Argasid ticks

Question 7

transmission of these disease have been associated with ticks

Answer 7

green-lizard papilloma–associated virus,

several hemogregarines, and the filarid worm Macdonaldius oscheri

Question 8

Ticks can transmit___the cause of heartwater,

Answer 8

Ehrlichia ruminantium

Question 9

Leeches have been found on :

Answer 9

legs, head, neck, and in the oral cavity of a variety of turtles and crocodilians

Question 10

genus of leeches that feed exclusively on the blood of turtles.

Answer 10

Ozobranchus
two species – 
*Ozobranchus margoi 
*and Ozobranchus branchiatus 
* found in the Atlantic coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico.

Question 11

create a cutaneous wound which hatch into bots that live in cyst-like structures until mature enough to leave the wound.

Answer 11

Bot flies (including Cuterebrasp)

*lesions are characterized as a lump under the skin; on closer inspection, they have anopening often lined by a black, crusted material

Question 12

tx in Bot flies

Answer 12

slightly expanding the natural opening and manually removing the bot with a forceps.

Question 13

Ectoparasite infestations are best prevented by

Answer 13

thorough screening and quarantine of all new animals entering a collection.

Question 14

infect the vascular system of turtles and infect the oral cavity, respiratory system, renal tubules, and ureters of snakes.

Answer 14

Pathogenic trematodes

tx. praziquantel

Question 15

found in all orders of reptiles but are rare in crocodilians.
* weight loss and death have been reported.

Answer 15

Tapeworms

*Reptiles - definitive, paratenic, or intermediate hosts for a large number of species.

Question 16

tx for tapeworm

Answer 16

praziquantel, repeated in 2 wk.

Question 17

may be found as soft swellings in the subcutis. These larval stages may be removed surgically.

Answer 17

Plerocercoids of the genusSpirometra

Question 18

Nematodes which frequently inhabit the intestinal tract of reptiles; larvae are seen in the respiratory tract and respiratory exudate.

Answer 18

Strongyloidesspp (Strongyloides reptile lungworm)

*In snakes -larvae seen within granulomas distributed throughout the body wall (can penetrate the skin)

Question 19

found in the lungs of a variety of snakes; embryonated ova may be found in the oral cavity and in lung aspirates.

• also have been seen in the gingiva of snakes with stomatitis.
• Embryonated ova and free larval forms may be seen in the feces

Answer 19

. Rhabdias

*Infections often are subclinical but may be associated with secondary bacterial pneumonia.

Question 20

. Stomach worms of the genus Physalopteraare seen in ?

Answer 20

lizards

*Gastric ulceration may occur in severe infections.
Ova are elliptical and may be embryonated.

Question 21

infecting numerous snakes are capable of transcutaneous infestation, prefers the upper GI tract and causes erosive lesions at sites of attachment.

Answer 21

hookworm of Kalicephalusspp

Question 22

Clinically infected snakes frequently regurgitate partially digested food and are anorectic
*major lesions are large granulomatous masses in the GI tract; they may abscess and perforate the intestinal wall

Answer 22

Ascarids

Question 23

mouse pinworm

Answer 23

Syphacia obvelata

Question 24

nematodes that are suspected or confirmed to penetrate the skin and bypassing the oral reinfection route

Answer 24

Strongyloides andKalicephalus

Question 25

species of spirurids infect ____

tx. increasing the environmental temperature to 95°–98°F (35°–37°C) for 24–48 hr. (cool-adapted” reptiles may not tolerate this treatment.)
* require a mechanical vector

Answer 25

mesentery, coelomic cavity, and blood vessels.

Question 26

associated with pneumonic signs, these arthropods can inhabit any tissue, and symptoms vary with their migration path and tissues responses.

Answer 26

Pentastomes

• found primarily in tropical poisonous snakes
• zoonotic risk.

Question 27

Pentastomes treatment

Answer 27

praziquantel -8 mg/kg and ivermectin at 5–10 times normal dosages have been reduce ova numbers being shed but have not eliminated the worms.
*endoscopically locate and mechanically remove all the adult pentastomes

Question 28

most s
erious protozoal pathogen of reptiles
CS.
anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mucoidal or hemorrhagic diarrhea, and death.

Answer 28

. Entamoeba invadens

• epidemic in large snake collections
• Herbivores appear less susceptible than carnivores
• reptiles that seldom become affected or die can serve as carriers

Question 29

eg of reptiles that seldom become affected or die can serve as carriers in entamoebiasis

Answer 29

garter snakes, northern black racers, and box turtles.

Question 30

are resistant in entamoebiasis

Answer 30

most turtles eastern king snakes, crocodiles, and cobras

• giant tortoises are susceptible.
• Most boas, colubrids, elapids, vipers, and crotalids are highly susceptible

Question 31

Transmission for Entamoebiasis

Answer 31

direct contact with the cyst form
*Hepatic abscesses - contain E. invadens
trophozoites are common in chronic cases.