Difference between revisions of "Lizard Endoparasites"

Revision as of 08:29, 6 August 2010

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.

Endoparasites

Protozoa: amoeba, coccidia, flagellates (Hexamita, Trichomonads, Giardia and Leptomonas), ciliates.
Metazoan parasites: nematodes, cestodes

Nematodes are frequently encountered during routine fecal examinations . The most common parasites is the pinworm (e.g., oxyurids) which are usually nonpathogenic. However, heavy burdens may lead to clinical disease. Furthermore, oxyurids have a direct life cycle and can reach high numbers within the colon, particularly in herbivorous iguanids, putting the lizard at high risk for impaction.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs of amoebiasis include anorexia, pica, prolapse, regurgitation, wasting, dehydration, constipation, weight loss, and lethargy. However as the parasite colonizes the animal's organs, such as the liver and kidney, it may cause necrosis and abscess formation.

Diagnosis

Routine faecal examinations and worming should be part of a standard quarantine procedure or part of regular examinations.

Prevention

Quarantine, correct husbandry, and preventive medicine (e.g. regular faecal testing).

Treatment

Any parasite found in captive reptiles should be treated, especially those with direct life cycles, since the stress of captivity can weaken the 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.

Flagellates

Metronidazole PO, repeat in 2 weeks

Coccidia

Sulphadiazine, sulphamerazine, sulphamethazine PO daily for 21 days, recheck faeces in 3 weeks
Trimethoprim/sulphamerazine daily for 2 doses, then every second day for 3 weeks, recheck faeces in 3 weeks

Nematodes

Ivermectin PO or SC, repeat in 2 weeks
Oxfendazole PO
Fenbendazole PO, repeat fortnightly until negative faecal examination
Levamisole ICo, repeat in 2 weeks

Cestodes

Praziquantel IM once

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 ==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.