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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Gastrointestinal parasites are commonly seen in reptiles brought into a veterinary hospital, particularly in imported and wild caught specimens. Reptiles can serve as both definitive and intermediate hosts for several species of parasites. However, the ones which cause the most concern to veterinarians are nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and protozoans, for whom lizards are definitive hosts, leading to shedding of the parasites through the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal parasites are commonly seen in reptiles brought into a veterinary hospital, particularly in imported and wild caught specimens. Reptiles can serve as both definitive and intermediate hosts for several species of parasites. However, the ones which cause the most concern to veterinarians are nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, and protozoans, for whom lizards are definitive hosts, leading to shedding of the parasites through the gastrointestinal tract.
==Endoparasites==
==Endoparasites==
===Prevention===
===Prevention===
Quarantine all new reptiles in separate areas for at least three months. Perform regular veterinary examinations, screens and faecal testing during quarantine and at regular intervals. Record normal patterns of eating, defaecating, weight gain and behaviour for each individual. Provide optimum species-specific husbandry.
Quarantine all new reptiles in separate areas for at least three months. Perform regular veterinary examinations, screens and faecal testing during quarantine and at regular intervals. Record normal patterns of eating, defaecating, weight gain and behaviour for each individual. Provide optimum species-specific husbandry.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Any parasite found in captive reptiles should be treated, especially those with direct life cycles, since the stress of captivity can weaken the [[Lizard and Snake Immune System|immune system]]. Poor husbandry facilitates the build up of direct cycle parasites and parasitised lizards have a shorter life span and tend to be more susceptible to disease.
Any parasite found in captive reptiles should be treated, especially those with direct life cycles, since the stress of captivity can weaken the [[Lizard and Snake Immune System|immune system]]. Poor husbandry facilitates the build up of direct cycle parasites and parasitised lizards have a shorter life span and tend to be more susceptible to disease.
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=((title:(Endoparasites)+AND+ab:(Endoparasites)))+AND+((((title:(lizard)+OR+ab:(lizard)+OR+od:(lizards))))) Lizards Endoparasites publications]
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=((title:(Endoparasites)+AND+ab:(Endoparasites)))+AND+((((title:(lizard)+OR+ab:(lizard)+OR+od:(lizards))))) Lizards Endoparasites publications]
[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093118403.pdf ''' Reptile parasitology: what is that and how do I treat that?''' Wright, K.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 January, 2009, 2009, pp 1817-1821 - '''Full Text Article''']
[[Category:Lizard_Gastrointestinal_Diseases|E]]
[[Category:Lizard_Gastrointestinal_Diseases|E]]