Reptiles - Parasitic And Infectious Dz

Question 1

What are some clinical signs of Cryptosporidiosis in our reptilian patients?

Answer 1

Dehydration,
Regurgitation,
Mid-body swelling

Question 2

Although there is currently no effective treatment, what are some options for Cryptosporidiosis?

Answer 2

Hyper immune bovine serum (clears infection in geckos, stopped shedding in snakes) Sulfa drugs (reduce shedding)
Quarantine Disinfection protocol—>5% ammonia

Question 3

What species most commonly succumbs to Coccidiosis (Isospora amphiboluri)?

Answer 3

Young bearded dragons

Question 4

How do we treat coccidiosis?

Answer 4

Ponazuril

(30 mg/kg per os once, with 2nd Tx 48 hours later)

Question 5

How can we diagnose Coccidiosis?

Answer 5

Fecal flotation with modified Sheather’s solution

Question 6

What parasite might we suspect in an anemic snake experiencing dysecdysis?

Answer 6

Common snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis)
*both larval and adult forms are parasitic*

Question 7

How do we diagnose Iridovirus?

Answer 7

Demonstration of basophilic inclusion bodies on:

impression smears,
histopath,
skin scrapes

Question 8

What reptiles get iridovirus?
How do they present (CS)?

Answer 8

Chelonians, lizards;
Stomatitis/rhinitis/conjunctivitis complex (similar to herpesvirus)

Question 9

How do we treat Iridovirus?

Answer 9

Supportive care,
Mgmt of 2ndary bacT infections,

*if severe diphtheritic membrane present, oral cavity should be rinsed and cleaned w/dilute chlorhex (0.5%)orpovidone-iodine (0.5%) and a cotton-tipped applicator once per day*

Question 10

What species do we most often see herpesvirus affecting and how do they present (CS)?

Answer 10

Most common in tortoises;
rhinitis, conjunctivitis, necrotizing stomatitis, pneumonia, enteritis, hepatomegaly, neuro signs

Question 11

How do we diagnose Herpesvirus?

Answer 11

PCR, electron microscopy;
Demonstration of eosinophilic inclusion bodies

Question 12

A tortoise presents with nasal and ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, palpebral edema, and pneumonia… what do you suspect?

Answer 12

Mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma agassizii)
Dx by culture, ELISA, and PCR assay

Question 13

How do we treat Mycoplasmosis?

Answer 13

Tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones (do NOT return to wild)

Question 14

Which reptilians are most commonly afflicted by Adenovirus (Atadenovirus) and how do they present?

Answer 14

Snakes, lizards, and bearded dragons;
Acute depression, anorexia, diarrhea, opisthotonos, limb paresis, hepatitis, GI changes

Question 15

How would we diagnose Adenovirus?

Answer 15

PCR of feces and cloacal swab or in liver, esophagus, kidney, stomach biopsies

Question 16

Which reptiles are afflicted by Paramyxovirus? How do they present (CS)?

Answer 16

Lizards, snakes;
Severe inflammation, secondary bacT infections, nasal discharge, purulent hemorrhagic discharge from glottis, neuro signs

Question 17

How do we diagnose Paramyxovirus?

Answer 17

Hemagglutination inhibition assay (serial samples req’d for confirmation);
Viral isolation

Question 18

How does Inclusion body dz affect boas and pythons differently?

Answer 18

Boas: chronic effects - Hx of regurgitation, mild CNS dysfunction, dysecdysis, stomatitis, chronic infections (poor doers)

Pythons: acute effects - severe CNS dysfunction, loss of righting reflex, flaccid paralysis, torticollis, opisthotonos

Question 19

Wtf even IS fibropapillomatosis?

Answer 19

Chelonian Fibropapilloma Associated Herpesvirus (CFPHV);
Transmissible neoplastic dz characterized by proliferation of cutaneous and visceral fibropapillomas
*primarily effects sea turtles*

Question 20

How would we diagnose CFPHV?

Answer 20

Radiographs, MRI, endoscopy, PCR of tumor tissue, feces, urine, blood

Question 21

How can we treat cutaneous fibropapillomas?

Answer 21

Remove with CO2 laser!