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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.

* Protozoa: amoeba, coccidia, flagellates (''Hexamita'', ''Trichomonads'', ''Giardia'' and ''Leptomonas''), ciliates.

* Protozoa: amoeba, coccidia, flagellates (''Hexamita'', ''Trichomonads'', ''Giardia'' and ''Leptomonas''), ciliates.

* Metazoan parasites: nematodes, cestodes

* 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 herbibvorous iguanids, putting the lizard at high risk for impaction.

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 herbibvorous iguanids, putting the lizard at high risk for impaction.

'''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.

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 [[Lizard and Snake Quarantine|quarantine]] procedure or part of regular examinations.

===Diagnosis===

Routine faecal examinations and worming should be part of a standard [[Lizard and Snake Quarantine|quarantine]] procedure or part of regular examinations.

'''Prevention''' - [[Lizard and Snake Quarantine|Quarantine]], correct husbandry, and [[Preventive medicine|preventive medicine]] (e.g. regular faecal testing).

===Prevention===

[[Lizard and Snake Quarantine|Quarantine]], correct husbandry, and [[Preventive medicine|preventive medicine]] (e.g. regular faecal testing).

==Treatment==

==Treatment==