Reptilian Parasites

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 These animals are at

increased risk of being heavily infested due to…

Limited Space Substrate and Diet

problems Heat and Light

inadequacy Stress

Parasites + Captivity + Stress

= Disease Potential

External Parasites There are 7 genera of ticks and over 250

species of mites that affect reptiles, including chiggers.

"Acariasis" is the medical term for an infestation with mites or ticks.

External Parasites

Ticks

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

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

Problems with Accumulation of External Parasites Anemia Damage to scales that may predispose

for secondary skin infections Periorbital inflammation Depression and Anorexia Death

Mites

Mites in a snake's water dish

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

Ophionyssus natricis

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

and bleach

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

Turtles and tortoises should “NEVER” be treated with ivermectin; it is toxic in those species.

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!

Questions

Internal Parasites Nematodes Protozoans Cestodes Trematodes

NOTE Some mammal parasite eggs are present

in rodents, rabbits and birds that are commonly fed to carnivorous reptiles, will ultimately be passed in the reptile’s feces.

Coccidia from rabbits and tapeworm, pinworm and ascarid eggs from rodents are often found on fecal examination of snakes.

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

Internal Parasites

Tooooooooooooooooooomuchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, toooooooooo manyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

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

Roundworm Egg

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

Hookworm Egg

Internal Parasites - Nematode Pinworms (Oxyurus)

Common in lizards and turtles Exposure to contaminated food and water Diagnosis: eggs on fecal flotation

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

Rhabdias/Strongyloides larva found in fresh feces. It is virtually impossible to differentiate these two parasites except by clinical history. Rhabdias is primarily a parasite of the respiratory system and Strongyloides a parasite of the gastrointestinal

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

Embryonated ova from a Timor python characteristic of both Rhabdias and Strongyloides, 400X. If viewed carefully, the larva within the egg can often be seen moving.

Internal Parasites - Protozoans Amebiasis

Entamoeba invadens 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

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

Coccidia oocyst

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

Tapeworm Egg

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

Flukes

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

Treatment for Internal Parasites Ivermectin (0.02 mg/kg oral) every two

weeks for a total of 2-3 treatments Lungworms Filarial nematodes

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

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

Treatment for Internal Parasites Cestodes

Tapeworms Praziquantel 5 mg/kg orally Repeat in 2 weeks

Treatment for Internal Parasites Trematodes

Flukes Praziquantel 5-8 mg/kg

Important Hygiene Factors Prevent fecal accumulation Cleanliness is essential Prevent exposure to contaminated water Provide adequate quarantine protocol Maintain adequate personal hygiene

References Klingenberg, R.J. Understanding Retile

Parasites. 1993. Lakeside, CA. Advanced Vivarium Systems.

www.cuttingedgeherp.com/reptiles www.gotsetonline.com www.spottedcats.com/parasite/