Reptile and amphibian pathogens

Question 1

Cryptosporidiosis in reptile

Answer 1

Clinical signs include regurgitation, weight loss, and debilitation. The organism causes thickening of the gastrointestinal mucosa and loss of motility. Diagnosis is made by acid-fast staining of fresh feces or regurgitated food. Since there is not effective treatment euthanasia is often recommended.
There is no effective treatment

Question 2

Entamoebra spp.

Answer 2

Protozoa; turtle carriers, severe gastrointestinal signs and death in snakes. Diagnosis is based on identification of trophozoites or cysts in fecal smears or histologic sections. Metronidazole is the treatment of choice. Turtles and snakes should not be housed together.

Question 3

Gentamicin in reptiles

Answer 3

Cannot give in caudal half of body. Reptiles have a renal-portal system in which blood from the caudal half of the body passes through the kidney before returning to the heart. Therefore, administration of a potentially nephrotoxic drug, as are all aminoglycosides, would be contraindicated int eh caudal half.

Question 4

Gravid female iguana

Answer 4

Clinical signs: change in behavior such as hyperactivity and irritability, anorexia, and enlarged abdomen. They are most likely to present from November to June. On physical exam you can typically feel the lumps on the abdomen which are the large eggs. Intervention in the form of an ovariohysterectomy is performed if attempts at inducing oviposition fail.

Question 5

Red leg in frog

Answer 5

bacterial septicaemia

Question 6

Septicemic cutaneous ulcerative disease in turtles

Answer 6

SCUD - Citrobacter dreudii causes pitted scutes that slough with underlying purulent exudate, petechia on the skin and liver necrosis also common - good husbandry and Chloramphenicol

Question 7

Inculsion body disease in snake

Answer 7

Exact cause is known, but a retrovirus is strongly suspected. Additionally, it seems as though the snake mite, Ophionyssus natricus is associated with the transmission. History or regurgitation of the past two weeks and no an inability to right itself.

Question 8

Ulcerative Dermatitis in lizards/snakes

Answer 8

scale rot

Question 9

Turtle Vitamin A Deficiency

Answer 9

characterised by swollen eyelids

Question 10

Infectious stomatitis

Answer 10

Occurs commonly in lizards, turtles, and snakes. Aeromonas adn Pseudomonas spp are commonly isolated from the lesions. Clinical sings include petechiation and caseous material build up within the mouth. Treatment is aimed at debridement and antibiotics.