Difference between revisions of "Snake Respiratory Disease"
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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''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]] | ||
==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. | ||
==Examination== | ==Examination== | ||
History usually reveals inappropriate husbandry practices. Snakes with pneumonia will most often be presented when the disease is quite advanced. On physical examination dyspnoea may be seen. The respiration rate is generally elevated with exaggerated respiratory movements. Open-mouthed breathing is associated with serious pulmonary disease. A glottal discharge may be present as exudate moves from the lungs. The presence of nasal discharge is common with upper respiratory disease. On auscultation râles may be heard. | History usually reveals inappropriate husbandry practices. Snakes with pneumonia will most often be presented when the disease is quite advanced. On physical examination dyspnoea may be seen. The respiration rate is generally elevated with exaggerated respiratory movements. Open-mouthed breathing is associated with serious pulmonary disease. A glottal discharge may be present as exudate moves from the lungs. The presence of nasal discharge is common with upper respiratory disease. On auscultation râles may be heard. | ||
| + | [[Image:Boiga_dendritica_Long_hhard.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''The lung of a snake with pneumonia''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of pneumonia is based on history, physical examination and diagnostic aids. 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. A mycoplasma species has been isolated by PCR from respiratory tissue. | Diagnosis of pneumonia is based on history, physical examination and diagnostic aids. 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. A mycoplasma species has been isolated by PCR from respiratory tissue. | ||
Revision as of 09:55, 23 April 2010
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This article is still under construction. |
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.
Examination
History usually reveals inappropriate husbandry practices. Snakes with pneumonia will most often be presented when the disease is quite advanced. On physical examination dyspnoea may be seen. The respiration rate is generally elevated with exaggerated respiratory movements. Open-mouthed breathing is associated with serious pulmonary disease. A glottal discharge may be present as exudate moves from the lungs. The presence of nasal discharge is common with upper respiratory disease. On auscultation râles may be heard.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pneumonia is based on history, physical examination and diagnostic aids. 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. A mycoplasma species has been isolated by PCR from respiratory tissue.
Therapy
A large percentage of respiratory disease has a bacterial component. Treatment should be based on culture and sensitivity but since respiratory disease is usually well advanced by the time of presentation antibiotics should be commenced immediately. Enrofloxacin is a suitable antibiotic. Nebulisation may be helpful. Non-bacterial infections occur and therapy if possible should be aetiology-specific. Supportive treatment is extremely important. Keep all snakes within the upper end of their POTZ. Fluid therapy and nutritional support are important but force-feeding should not stress the snake. Water-soluble vitamins may help.
Prevention
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.