Lizard Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease may be primary or secondary.

Aetiology

• Infectious
• Parasitic
• Congenital
• 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

• Supportive treatment
• Antimicrobial if infectious
• Correction of husbandry