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[[Image:Dyspnoeic_royal_python_ed.jpg|350px|thumb|right|'''Open-mouthed breathing in snakes is a sign of serious pulmonary disease''' - (Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Dyspnoeic_royal_python_ed.jpg|350px|thumb|right|'''Open-mouthed breathing in snakes is a sign of serious pulmonary disease''' © RVC]]

==Respiratory disease==

==Respiratory disease==

Respiratory disease is common in snakes and respiratory signs are common presenting complaints. Pneumonia has a multifactorial aetiology including poor husbandry and infectious agents, usually Gram-negative bacteria.

Respiratory disease is common in snakes and respiratory signs are common presenting complaints. Pneumonia has a multifactorial aetiology including poor husbandry and infectious agents, usually Gram-negative bacteria.

'''For information on good husbandry practices, see''' [[:Category: Snake Husbandry|Snake Husbandry]].

'''For information on good husbandry practices, see''' [[:Category: Snake Husbandry|Snake Husbandry]].

[[Image:Boiga_dendritica_Long_hhard.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''The lung of a snake with pneumonia - A mycoplasma species has been isolated by PCR from respiratory tissue.''' (Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Boiga_dendritica_Long_hhard.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''The lung of a snake with pneumonia - A mycoplasma species has been isolated by PCR from respiratory tissue.''' © RVC]]

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Diagnosis of pneumonia is based on [[Lizard and Snake Taking a History|history]], [[Snake Physical Examination|physical examination]] and [[:Category: Snake Diagnostics|diagnostic aids]]. [[Lizard and Snake Imaging|Radiography]] is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of pneumonia. Lateral and dorsoventral views should be included. The pulmonary tissue normally has a delicate reticular pattern that is progressively lost caudally. Changes may be diffuse or regionalised.  Samples for microbiology may be collected by glottal swabs, tracheal washes or endoscope. Cytology, gram stain and bacterial/fungal culture may help define the aetiology. Biopsy of lung tissue for histology may be diagnostic.  

Diagnosis of pneumonia is based on [[Lizard and Snake Taking a History|history]], [[Snake Physical Examination|physical examination]] and [[:Category: Snake Diagnostics|diagnostic aids]]. [[Lizard and Snake Imaging|Radiography]] is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of pneumonia. Lateral and dorsoventral views should be included. The pulmonary tissue normally has a delicate reticular pattern that is progressively lost caudally. Changes may be diffuse or regionalised.  Samples for microbiology may be collected by glottal swabs, tracheal washes or endoscope. Cytology, gram stain and bacterial/fungal culture may help define the aetiology. Biopsy of lung tissue for histology may be diagnostic.  

Poor husbandry practices and non-hygienic conditions predispose to respiratory infections. Bacterial infections are often encountered in immunocompromised snakes. New arrivals into a collection should go through a period of quarantine.

Poor husbandry practices and non-hygienic conditions predispose to respiratory infections. Bacterial infections are often encountered in immunocompromised snakes. New arrivals into a collection should go through a period of quarantine.

'''For more information, see [[Lizard and Snake Quarantine]].

'''For more information, see''' [[Lizard and Snake Quarantine]].

[[Category:Snake Diseases]]

[[Category:Snake Diseases]]