The majority of health problems we see in reptiles are preventable. Many abnormalities are the direct result of not getting the environment right. Husbandry issues such as housing, temperature, humidity, bedding, light, social interaction etc. play a key role in either promoting or eroding the reptiles health. Inadequate attention to hygiene, air and water quality can also be hazardous to their health. Everything from an abnormal shed to a life threatening systemic infection can result. Other skin problems, eye problems, infections, respiratory disease, burns, and injuries including fractures are commonly seen.
Nutritional diseases are still common. These result when too much or too little of a food or supplement is given, and/or even the complete absence of an important food or nutrient. Feeding an herbivore like a carnivore can result in poor growth, Metabolic Bone Disease, weakness, fractures, tremors, and constipation. The wrong choice of leafy greens can result in hypovitaminosis A and skin, eye, ear, and mouth, and respiratory problems surface.
Infectious diseases can occur independently or more likely in association with husbandry issues. Internal parasites can be found in the digestive and respiratory tract. They may cause symptoms directly or indirectly by stressing the normal defenses. External parasites are common as well and many a snake has had to be treated for mites.
Bacterial infections are very common in reptiles and are usually secondary to some underlying cause such as environmental stress (poor hygiene, overcrowding, poor ventilation, or inadequate cage size); nutritional stress from feeding a diet containing an inadequate or an excessive amount of essential nutrients; physiologic stress such as reproduction or egg production; traumatic injury; or concurrent viral, parasitic or other infection.
Bacterial infections affect the skin, eyes, ears, and the nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts. Examples of specific agents include those of the genus Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Salmonella. Symptoms seen depend upon the system(s) involved, but may be non-specific and may be severe (shock). Diagnosis is based upon knowledge of patient factors, appearance, cytology, culture and sensitivity testing, blood tests, and x-rays. Treatment is most effective when based on culture and sensitivity testing and when administered for an adequate length of time. When reptiles get a bacterial infection it is usually a nasty one and we tend to reach for the more potent antibiotics to treat them. Most infections are either GI, respiratory, or skin.
Fungal infections do occur in reptiles, primarily associated with excessive moisture or humidity, inadequate hygiene, poor water quality, or excessive handling. Cytology, culture, and even biopsy may be necessary to make the diagnosis. Treatment is available and can be successful.
Viral infections such as IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) are seen less commonly in our practice. Viral infections are more likely whenever the reptile has been in contact with others of the same species recently. Viral infections tend to spread whenever reptiles are crowded together, shipped, or taken to shows or exhibits. Certainly, viral infections are a serious health concern and there are many well known viral agents that cause serious disease in many species of reptiles.
The diagnosis of a viral infection can be made by understanding the patient history and how they might have become infected, blood tests, and biopsy. In some cases, a definitive diagnosis of a virus causing disease may only be found on a post mortem exam. As a result, an early diagnosis of a viral infection may be presumed based on what we know and the symptoms. Treatment is primarily supportive and the patient may never recover.
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