Page 13 - Parasites in pet reptiles

Rataj et al. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2011, 53:33 Page 11 of 20
http://www.actavetscand.com/content/53/1/33

Figure 9 Pinworm egg (unidentified species) in Green Iguana Figure 11 Anterior end of Pinworm bulbous in Green Iguana
(Iguana iguana). (Iguana iguana).

Physaloptera sp. adults and eggs (Figures 18, 19 and comb indicate they belong to family Onchocercidae,
20) were found in six different species of lizards (Spiny- Dirofilariinae, Setaria digitata.
tailed Lizards, Green Iguanas, Geckos and Monitors) in In our previous research microfilaria were not con-
6.3%. Telford [19] described massive invasions, particu- firmed in blood smears, but some filarioid worms have
larly in Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma sp.). been found in the abdominal cavities and subcutaneous
Filarioid parasites were found in 5.4% of lizards (dif- granulomas of Monitors [1].
ferent species of Monitors, Spiny-tailed Lizards, and in According to literature data these parasites have an
one Leopard Gecko) (Figures 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and indirect life cycle and are usually transmitted by arthro-
27). The majority of adult males and females with lot of pods. Filarioid worms can migrate and cause blisters
eggs Onchocercidae, Dirofilariinae, Oswaldofilaria sp. and ulcers on the skin [25,33].
were found in the abdominal cavity and nodules on Heavy invasions with Cyclophyllidea cestoda, Anoplo-
pleura, peritonea and lungs in Monitors. cephalidae, Oochoristica sp. (Figures 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,
Nodules were also seen in connective tissue muscles 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37) were determined in Green Igua-
and under the skin of Spiny-Tailed Lizards and in one nas and Spiny-tailed Lizards. Two different species of
Leopard Gecko. In those nodules larvae were found. Oochoristica sp.werefound.One wassmall, 1.0to 2.7
Adult parasites were confirmed in abdominal cavity. cm in length (in Spiny-tailed Lizards) and the other was
Females with specific morphology on the caudal end longer - 28 to 30 cm (Green Iguana). In eggs of both
were seen. Characteristic papillae and tale with papillar species hexacanth embryos with six hooks with onco-
spheres in uterine capsule were seen. The specific

Figure 10 Pinworm egg (Pharyngodon sp.) in Leopard Gecko Figure 12 Ciliophora Nyctotherus sp. in Spiny-tailed Lizard
(Eublepharis macularius). (Uromastyx maliensis).