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 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  Tooooooooooooooooooomuchhhhhhhhhhh hhhhh, 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)  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  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 Lakeside, CA. Advanced Vivarium Systems.   