Page 3 - Parasites in pet reptiles

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

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Open Access

Parasites in pet reptiles

1† 2† 3† 4† 2*†
Aleksandra Vergles Rataj , Renata Lindtner-Knific , Ksenija Vlahović , Urška Mavri and Alenka Dovč

Abstract
Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect
humans. Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and
captive bred species were investigated. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to
68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. Twelve different groups
(Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were
determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found.
Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1),
Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. One
Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda
(1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. In examined turtles
three different species of ectoparasites were seen. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used
as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners.

Background Reptiles are among the most inhumanely treated ani-
Reptiles have become increasingly common domestic mals in the pet trade, because of their special needs for
pets. While several reptile species sold as pet animals diets and habitats. For many species, the basic require-
are bred in captivity, most of them are taken from the ments for nutrition and housing are unknown, so pet
wild or are the offspring of wild-caught parents. Wildlife reptiles are highly susceptible to metabolic diseases. In
smuggling is on the increase. At the beginning of this the wild, reptiles rarely come into contact with their
century, illegal trade in endangered species had become own waste or uneaten food, which is a common occur-
the third in the world regarding to profit, close behind rence in the captivity.
drugs and arms smuggling. Business may be even more The infestation with parasites plays an important role.
remunerative for other two reasons: culinary specialities Stressful life, concentration of animals and the presence
and traditional medicine drugs prepared from exotic of different species in a small living space actuate devel-
animals. Further more, non-indigenous species can be opment, multiplication and spreading of parasites, which
found in our environment, upsetting delicate ecosystems in nature live in cohabitation with their hosts. All these
eventually leading to the extinction of native species. factors suppress the immune response in reptiles and
Reptiles can also be interesting for their potential use in increase the opportunity for viruses, bacteria, yeast and
bioterrorism. funguses to cause infections and consequent diseases.
Poor capture techniques, compounded by poor or Reptiles may carry diseases, which can be spread to other
inadequate shipping can kill many reptiles before they animals, other animal species and even to humans [1].
reach the pet stores. About 90% of wild-caught reptiles Reptiles can carry viruses e.g. West Nile virus [2],
die in the first year of captivity because of physical Western Equine Encephalitis [3], bacteria e.g. Salmo-
trauma prior to purchasing or because their owners can- nella sp. [4], Leptospira sp. [5], Chlamydia sp. [6,7],
not meet their complex dietary and habitat needs. Mycobacterium sp. [7,8], funguses e.g. Candida sp., Tri-
chosporon sp. [9] or parasites e.g. protozoa - Cryptospor-
idium sp. [10], pentastomes, for example Armillifer
* Correspondence: alenka.dovc@vf.uni-lj.si
† Contributed equally armillatus [11] and Porocephalus sp. [12], ticks like
2
University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Amblyomma sp. and Hyalomma sp. [13], mites - Ophio-
Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia nyssus natricis [14], which may not make the animal
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
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