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Reptilian Parasites

Reptilian Parasites. Adriana Roman-Muniz Kathryn Fink. Wild Reptiles. Normally, reptiles living in natural settings are not severely affected by parasitism due to their self limiting nature and their nomadic lifestyles. Reptiles in the Captive Setting.

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Reptilian Parasites

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  1. Reptilian Parasites Adriana Roman-Muniz Kathryn Fink

  2. Wild Reptiles • Normally, reptiles living in natural settings are not severely affected by parasitism due to their self limiting nature and their nomadic lifestyles

  3. Reptiles in the Captive Setting • These animals are at increased risk of being heavily infested due to… • Limited Space • Substrate and Diet problems • Heat and Light inadequacy • Stress

  4. Parasites + Captivity + Stress = Disease Potential

  5. External Parasites • Mites • Ticks

  6. External Parasites • Are able to Accumulate • Under the scales • In the postorbital area • In the labial pits • In the skin folds of the vent area

  7. Problems with Accumulation of External Parasites • Anemia • Damage to scales that may predispose for secondary skin infections • Periorbital inflammation • Depression and Anorexia • Signs related to blood borne infection (IBD) • Difficulty Shedding • Death

  8. External Parasites - Mites (Acariasis) • 250+ species • Feed on blood that then allows them to transform from one stage to the next of the life cycle • Optimal conditions include both high humidity and heat

  9. External Parasites - Ticks • Nuisance and significant source of disease • Are often associated with blood borne infections • Tend to hide under scales, around the eyes, and near the vent

  10. Treatment for External Parasites • Manual removal • Gentle bathing • Rinsing of the animal • Soaking to drown mites/ticks • Thorough cage cleaning with soapy water and bleach

  11. Drug Treatment Choices for External Parasites • Ivermectin • 0.02 cc/kg per os • Is approximately 1 drop orally per pound once every two weeks • Dilute for a spray formulation ~ 1 cc (5 mg) in one quart • Administered every 4-5 days for a 3 week time period

  12. Drug Treatment Choices for External Parasites • No Pest Strips • Dichlorvos • Great for individual animals • 3 hour exposure time 2-3 times per week for 3 weeks • Important to have adequate ventilation

  13. Drug Treatment Choices for External Parasites • Trichlorfon Spray • 0.16% solution • Clean the cage, set up as desired, spray and then let dry completely • Then completely mist animal, withhold access to water for 24 hours • Second treatment in 10-14 days • Geckos are extremely sensitive!

  14. Internal Parasites • Nematodes • Protozoans • Cestodes • Trematodes

  15. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Over 500 identified • Most occur in the GI tract • Congregations in large numbers can cause • Organ obstruction • Loss of nutrients • Destruction of tissues • Secondary bacterial infections

  16. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Roundworms (Ophiascaris in snakes; Sulcascaris in chelonians) • Acquired through ingesting intermediate hosts • Commonly cause 2° malnutrition • Lead to purulent, ulcerative, and inflammatory lesions and different sites of the body due to larval migration • Diagnosis: thick walled egg on fecal flotation and characteristic worms in feces

  17. Roundworm Egg

  18. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Hookworms (Kalicephalus in snakes; Oswalsocruzia in lizards) • Larvae penetrate the skin or can be ingested • Feed on blood from the GI tract and results in ulcers, inflammation, anemia, peritonitis and secondary bacterial infections • Diagnosis: thin walled oval eggs on fecal flotation and often bloody +/- mucus laden stool

  19. Hookworm Egg

  20. Internal Parasites - Nematode • Pinworms (Oxyurus) • Common in lizards and turtles • Exposure to contaminated food and water • Usually causes no overt disease • Diagnosis: eggs on fecal flotation

  21. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Stomach worms (Physaloptera) • Exclusively in lizards • Ants are the intermediate host • Cause GI inflammation and obstruction • Diagnosis: eggs on fecal flotation

  22. Internal Parasites – Nematodes • Lungworms (Rhabdias in snakes; Entomelas in lizards) • Percutaneous penetration by larvae or by ingestion of contaminated food and water • Verminous Pneumonia in heavily infested or stressed animals • Diagnosis: eggs on fecal flotation

  23. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Strongyloides • Cause GI irritation and diarrhea • Infected through percutaneous penetration by larvae or oral ingestion • Respiratory distress may occur occasionally due to larval migration through the lungs • Diagnosis: larvae presence in fresh feces

  24. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Hepatic Worms (Capillaria) • Found in lizards and snakes • Acquired by ingestion of intermediate host • Reduce hepatic function is observed with heavy parasite loads • Diagnosis: operculated eggs in fecal floats

  25. Internal Parasites - Nematodes • Filarial Nematodes (Oswaldofilaria) • RARE • Transmitted by arthropods or mosquitos • They live within the host’s blood stream • They have variable effects on the host • Diagnosis: filarial worms found on blood smears

  26. Internal Parasites - Protozoans • Amebiasis • Entamoebainvadens • Acquired by ingestion leads to infection, death or carrier status • Giant tortoise is very susceptible • Cause amoebic dysentery • Diagnosis: amoeba, uninucleated trophozoites or multi-nucleated cysts in fresh stool; plus mucus-laden, bile stained, +/- bloody stools

  27. Internal Parasites - Protozoan • Coccidia (Eimeria, Isospora) • Ingested of contaminated water and food and also from the environment as possible infection • Symptoms vary from mild diarrhea to death • Diagnosis: oocysts of fresh stool samples

  28. Coccidia oocyst

  29. Internal Parasites - Protozoans • Cryptosporidiosis • Seen in immunocompromised individuals most commonly, ZOONOTIC potential • Affected can become carriers and the possibility of shedding for one year or more • Acquired by exposure to the sporulated oocysts, mice are asymptomatic carriers • GI irritation, vomiting/regurgitation, mid-body firm mass, death is common • Diagnosis: oocysts on direct smears, difficult (acid fast organism)

  30. Internal Parasites - Protozoans • Flagellates • Controversy over whether it is a normal flora or a true pathogen? • Acquired through exposure to infective cysts and food and water and also during copulation • Variable effects • Diagnosis: Direct smear, helps to use Lugol’s iodine

  31. Internal Parasites - Cestodes • Tapeworms • Ingestion of a vertebrate or mammalian intermediate host • In large #’s they can cause secondary malnutrition, inflammation, enteritis, and mechanical obstruction • Diagnosis: eggs on fecal flotation, detection of proglottids in stool, visibly seeing a tapeworm passed

  32. Tapeworm Egg

  33. Internal Parasites - Trematodes • Flukes • Most often observed in snakes • Acquired through ingestion of an intermediate host (snails) • Found in the oral cavity, respiratory system, or in superficial tissues but rarely cause any damage • Diagnosis: observing adult flukes in the mouth, cloaca, or feces. Fluke eggs are large, yellow-brown eggs with a solitary operculum at one end

  34. Flukes

  35. Treatment for Internal Parasites • Panacur (25-50 mg/kg PO, 1 time weekly for 2-3 treatments) • Nematodes – Roundworms, Hookworms, Pinworms, Stomach worms, Strongyloides, Hepatic worms and one treatment option for Lungworms

  36. Treatment for Internal Parasites • Ivermectin (0.02 mg/kg oral) every two weeks for a total of 2-3 treatments • Lungworms • Filarial nematodes

  37. Treatment for Internal Parasites • Protozoans • Amebiasis • Flagyl ® (Metronidazole) • 25-50 mg/kg orally once daily for 5-10 days • Coccidia • Sulfadiamethoxine • 50 mg/kg daily for 3 days • Then administer every 48 hours as needed to cure

  38. Treatment for Internal Parasites • Protozoans • Cryptosporidiosis • Supportive care is essential • Possibly trimethoprim sulfa • Euthanasia • Flagellates • Metronidazole • 25-50 mg/kg once and then in 3-4 days as needed

  39. Treatment for Internal Parasites • Cestodes • Tapeworms • Praziquantel • 5 mg/kg orally • Repeat in 2 weeks

  40. Treatment for Internal Parasites • Trematodes • Flukes • Praziquantel • 5-8 mg/kg

  41. Subcutaneous Parasites • Usually found as a lump just under the skin • Included most commonly is a plerocercoid stage of some tapeworm and occasionally a misguided pentastomid • Treatment includes • Physical removal • Flushing • Systemic Antibiotics

  42. Important Hygiene Factors • Prevent fecal accumulation • Cleanliness is essential • Prevent exposure to contaminated water • Don’t allow for “musical food” • Provide adequate quarantine protocol • Maintain adequate personal hygiene

  43. References • Klingenberg, R.J. Understanding Retile Parasites. 1993. Lakeside, CA. Advanced Vivarium Systems. • www.cuttingedgeherp.com/reptiles • www.gotsetonline.com • www.spottedcats.com/parasite/ • Special thanks to Jennifer Periat for once again the use of her reptiles pictures!

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