Lizard Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease may be primary or secondary.

(Copyright © RVC)

Aetiology - it may be infectious, parasitic, congenital or nutritional (e.g. calcification of large vessels)

Clinical signs - Clinical signs of cardiovascular disease are usually non-specific such as anorexia and weight loss. Signs such as swelling in the area of the heart, peripheral oedema and ascites warrant investigation of the cardiovascular system.

Diagnosis

• History
• Physical examination, especially auscultation
• Blood culture
• Radiography
• Ultrasound
• Doppler flow detector
• Electrocardiography though interpretation may be a problem
• Necropsy

Treatment - Includes supportive treatment, antimicrobial if infectious, and correction of husbandry.

Literature Search

Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).


Lizard Cardiovascular Disease publications

Approach to the exotic cardiology patient. Rishniw, M.; Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Bondi, Australia, 32nd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Australia, 19-23 August 2007, 2007, pp unpaginated, 31 ref. - Full Text Article

Reptile cardiology. Rishniw, M.; Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Bondi, Australia, 32nd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Australia, 19-23 August 2007, 2007, pp unpaginated, 39 ref. - Full Text Article