Reptile Diseases

Question 1

Discuss the main characteristics of reptiles.

Answer 1

• scales
• breathe thru lungs
• oviparous
• can grow throughout life & some species can live 100+ years

Question 2

Discuss the housing and nutritional requirements of reptiles.

Answer 2

Housing
- LIGHTING - natural or synthetic
- it’s imperative reptiles get full UV lighting for VitD synthesis + Calcium metabolism

Nutrition
- species-appropriate type and frequency

Question 3

Paramyxovirus
- pathogenesis
- dx
- sequela

Answer 3

• acute resp dz in snakes
• dx usually postmortem
• tx usually aimed at the 2º bacterial infections (such as bacterial pneumonia by aeromonas, pseudomonas, klebsiella, proteus)

Question 4

Inclusion Body Disease
- species affected
- pathogenesis

Answer 4

• boid snakes (boa & python constrictors)
• virus causes encephalitis -> flaccid paralysis of entire body

eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions

Question 5

Ulcerative Stomatitis (Mouth Rot)
- etiology
- what bacteria is it associated with?
- clinical signs

Answer 5

• 2º to POOR husbandry/management
• Aeromonas and Pseudomonas -> PERFORM C&S
• reluctance to eat; ulcers, abscesses

Question 6

What external parasites are reptiles prone to?

Answer 6

Mites & ticks
- wild reptiles
- captive reptiles w/ poor husbandry

Question 7

How can reptiles be infected with Mycobacteriosis?

Answer 7

Mycobacterium are ubiquitous in the environment & water, so almost anywhere!

reptiles often live near/spend time in water

Question 8

Pathogenesis of metabolic bone disease

Answer 8

2º to hyperparathyroidis & nutritional osteodystrophy from improper diet and inadequate UV light
- imbalance of Ca:P ration; lack of VitD synthesis
- more common in herbivores & omnivores (higher risk of hypocalc)

Causes scoliosis, kyphosis, shell deformations, lethargy, anorexia, lameness, swollen joints

Question 9

Pathogenesis of Hypovitaminosis A

Answer 9

dietary insufficiency of vitamin A, most commonly in pet aquatic turtles -> all epithelial cells affected! -> -> Squamous metaplasia

Question 10

Pathogenesis of Dysecdysis

Answer 10

animal cannot shed skin normally, 2º to poor husbandry (improper humidity level)
- can result in unintentional aggression/striking

Question 11

What are the two forms of gout?

Answer 11

Gout: uric acid formation in tissues from excessive protein intake or water deprivation

1. Visceral: renal tubular damage
2. Articular: swollen, painful joints

Question 12

Describe the main clinical signs of illness in reptiles.

Answer 12

Lethargy, dyspnea, anorexia, lameness, edema/swollen limbs

Question 13

List the most important zoonotic diseases of reptiles (4)

Answer 13

BACTERIAL
1. Aeromonas spp.
2. Pseudomonas spp.
3. Salmonella spp.
4. Mycobacterium spp.

Wear gloves, basic hygience, educate clients, advise PcP of contact with reptiles