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Reptile Health
Abnormal Beak and Skull Growth in Reptiles
Beak Overgrowth in Turtles and Tortoises Turtles and tortoises do not have teeth, but instead grab and chew their food using the sharp edges of their beaks. If an animal’s beak becomes overgrown or does not wear properly, it may have difficulty eating.
Abnormal Skin Shedding in Reptiles
Disecdysis Abnormal skin shedding, or disecdysis, is one of the most common health problems affecting pet reptiles. Some species of snakes and lizards shed their entire skin in a single complete piece, while other reptiles shed their skin in patches. In all cases, however, once the process is complete, the reptile should be completely covered in a fresh, new layer of skin. Symptoms and Types After an incomplete shed, pieces of old skin often remain attached around the toes and tail, or over the surface of the eye.
Adenovirus Infection in Reptiles
Many different types of viruses can cause disease in reptiles, but the adenovirus is of particular concern to owners of bearded dragons. Other reptiles, including some snake and lizard species, can also be infected, but young bearded dragons are the most susceptible. Symptoms and Types Typical symptoms of adenovirus infection include:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Depression
Amebiasis in Reptiles
Infection with Entamoeba Amebiasis is one of the most serious diseases in reptiles. Due to an infection with the protozoan microorganism Entamoeba invadens, amebiasis, if not treated in time, this disease can even be fatal in some reptiles. Meat-eating reptiles are more prone to amebiasis than plant-eating reptiles. Among these, carnivorous snakes, including vipers, rattlesnakes, bushmasters, boas, garter snakes, water snakes, colubrids and elapids, are more susceptible to the disease than their turtle or lizard counterparts.
Bacteria In The Blood in Reptiles
Septicemia Septicemia is a bacterial infection of the blood, and it is a commonly diagnosed disease in reptiles. The bacteria can spread to multiple organs throughout the body and cause widespread damage and death if not treated aggressively.
Bacterial Diseases in Reptiles
Symptoms and Types Bacterial diseases will generally infect the reptile, causing abscesses and ulcers in its tissues and organs. (These infections may even present pus-filled pockets in the reptile's tissues.) One such bacterial infection is mouth rot (necrotic stomatitis). It is due to Pseudomonas or Aeromonas infections and affects turtles and tortoises. Bacterial infections of the eye are also common in all reptiles. The eye infections usually appear as swollen eyelids or small white spots in the eye's cornea; it may also develop ulcers or abscesses in the eye.
Bacterial Infection in Amphibians
Mycobacteriosis
Amphibians are susceptible to infection by many bacteria, of which several are atypical Mycobacteria. Mycobacteria are microscopic organisms present everywhere in nature. And while amphibians are naturally resistant to mycobacterial infections, a diminished or compromised immunity due to malnutrition, disease or stress, among other things, can make the animal more prone to the infection.
Mycobacteriosis is a contagious disease that can be passed as a skin infection from animals to humans (or a zoonotic infection).
Diabetes Mellitus in Reptiles
Diabetes Mellitus Reptiles suffer from hormonal disorders, although rather infrequently. But one of the most common hormonal disorders for reptiles is Diabetes Mellitus, usually occurring in turtle and tortoises. It affects the reptile's adrenal glands, causing them to secrete less insulin or rendering the insulin inactive in the blood. Much like humans, insulin is needed by the reptile to keep the sugar levels in the blood (blood glucose) at a normal range.
Ear Infections in Reptiles
Aural Abscesses Turtles, especially box turtles and aquatic species, are at risk for developing ear infections.
Ear Infections in Reptiles
Turtles, especially box turtles and aquatic species, are at risk for developing ear infections. Because a turtle’s eardrum is located on the outer surface of its head, infection is trapped underneath the membrane and forms an abscess.
Egg Binding in Reptiles
Dystocia Female egg-laying reptiles can produce eggs even when a male is not present, so all females are at risk of being unable to pass an egg that has formed, a condition known as egg binding. Species that produce live young can also have difficulty giving birth, also known as dystocia. Symptoms and Types Females that are struggling to pass their eggs or give birth often act restless and repeatedly attempt to find places to dig. Straining and a swollen cloaca -- the common chamber into which the intestinal and urogenital tracts discharge -- may also be observed.
External Parasites in Reptiles
Ticks, Mites, and Fly Larvae External parasites not only annoy pet reptiles, but they can also transmit disease and be very debilitating, even causing death in extreme cases. Preventing and/or dealing with their introduction and spread through a reptile collection is a very important aspect of keeping reptiles healthy and happy. Symptoms and Types Mite infestations cause a reptile’s skin to appear rough and often disrupt the normal skin shedding process.
Fungal Disease in Amphibians
Chytridiomycosis
Chytridiomycosis is a serious infectious disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a zoosporic fungus related to water molds. The fungus feeds on keratin, a protein found in the outermost layers of the skin, and survives in most environments, even without a host. It is believed that the decrease in the population of frogs in many areas is due to chytridiomycosis.
A common way to recognize chytridiomycosis is to check your amphibian's skin for sloughing or shedding. The disease can be fatal for amphibians left untreated.
Fungal Diseases in Reptiles
Fungi can cause various types of disease, often affecting multiple body organs or systems in the reptile. These infections can occur anywhere in its body, including the skin, respiratory tract, stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Unfortunately, most fungal diseases can be terminal for the reptile. Symptoms and TypesThe reptile will generally show signs of weight loss and have a lack of appetite. Other symptoms are dependent on the site of infection. If it occurs in the respiratory system, the reptile will have trouble breathing.
Gastrointestinal Tract Infection in Reptiles
Cryptosporidiosis Protozoa cause many infectious diseases in reptiles, one of which is a very serious parasitic infection called Cryptosporidiosis. This protozoan infection increases the thickness of the intestinal and stomach inner linings, thereby reducing their ability to function properly. Lizards are generally infected in the intestines, while in snakes the infection is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, cryptosporidiosis is untreatable in reptiles.
Herpes Causing Cancer in Amphibians
Lucke’s Tumor
Lucke's Tumor, named after the scientist who discovered it, is a renal adenocarcinoma (or cancer) affecting the northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) found in the wild in northeastern and north-central United States. It was the first tumor proven to be caused by the herpes virus. It is rarely seen in the summer because the virus needs cold temperatures to grow, and is most prevalent in the early spring, as frogs cease hibernating at that time.
Herpesvirus Infection in Reptiles
Herpesvirus Infection Pet reptiles, especially turtles and tortoises, are affected by many different types of infection, some that can damage more than one body organ or system. One such viral infection is caused by the Herpesvirus, which is actually quite common in pet reptiles. However, freshwater turtles, green sea turtles and freshwater tortoises are a few reptiles that are more prone to the disease. Symptoms and Types In reptiles, the Herpesvirus can affect multiple organs and systems.
Infectious Cloacitis in Reptiles
Swollen Vent In reptiles, the ends of the digestive, urinary, and reproductive tract combine to form a common chamber and a single opening to the external environment. This structure is called the cloaca or vent. A reptile’s cloaca can become infected and inflamed, a condition known as cloacitis. Symptoms and Types Symptoms of cloacitis include:
- Swollen tissue around the vent
- Bloody discharge from the cloaca
Internal Abscesses in Reptiles
Internal Abscesses An abscess is a pocket in the skin or membrane, usually filled with pus. It can happen anywhere in the reptile's body, but those which are found under the skin (subcutaneous abscesses) are the easiest to identify. Symptoms and Types As stated earlier, abscesses are filled with pus. Because of this, the area around the abscess may show redness or irritation. And the reptile may even scratch at it because of the discomfort. In snakes, the pus is not liquid, like in other animals, but rather of a cheesy consistency.
Intestinal Parasites in Reptiles
Roundworm, Hookworm, and Pinworm Infections Intestinal parasites can be a serious problem for all pet reptiles, as many reptiles captured from the wild often already have parasites. Captive-bred reptiles, in particular, become parasitized through contact with other reptiles or contaminated objects and environments, or by eating infected food items. Reptile parasites reproduce rapidly and can cause devastating illness and quickly spread throughout an entire collection. Worms are one of the most common intestinal parasites.
