Reptiles can have bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Intestinal parasites can often go unnoticed by pet owners until the animal becomes severely ill. Frequent fecal examinations can help detect these parasites.
Reptilian abscesses can occur when a space-occupying mass forms within the cloaca, colon, oviduct or phallus/hemipenes of the female reptile. Proper treatment, including local wound therapy and antibiotics, is required.
1. Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacter is a genus of motile, curved, microaerophilic, gram-negative bacteria that usually inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of domestic animals and poultry. Several strains cause human disease, mainly C. jejuni and C. coli; they have flagella and adherence factors that allow them to stick to the mucosa and invade the small bowel. The bacteria produce toxins that reduce intestinal absorption and inhibit growth of normal colonic microbiota.
Infections are most often acquired through ingesting undercooked poultry or meat, raw milk and unchlorinated water. Other sources of infection include contact with pets, especially cats and dogs, and livestock or commercially raised mink; and swimming in contaminated lakes, rivers or streams.
Elderly people and those with weak immune systems are at higher risk of infection. Infection may cause self-limited diarrhea or, in rare cases, bacteremia, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Thoroughly cooking food kills Campylobacter. If you are sick with diarrhoea, avoid eating or drinking anything unless it can be clearly boiled for at least five minutes. Stay home from work, day care and school until you have no signs of diarrhea for 24 hours.
2. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The bacteria are carried by many animals, especially rodents and dogs. They shed the bacteria in their urine, which then contaminates soil and water. Symptoms can range from flu-like to severe. If you get sick with leptospirosis, you might have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea, skin rash, red eyes, or jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin). In some cases, the infection can lead to meningitis, respiratory symptoms, kidney or liver failure, and even death.
Most people in endemic areas with high rates of leptospirosis have mild or asymptomatic infections. The bacterium can enter through cuts and abrasions, but you also might get it by coming into contact with soil or water where an infected animal has peed. Agricultural workers, sewer workers, military recruits, and people living in tropical regions subject to flooding from excessive rainfall are at highest risk for getting the disease. Infection can also be spread from person to person through sex and during pregnancy, which can cause abortion or stillbirth.
3. Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are usually opportunistic, occurring only when the immune system is compromised. Fungi can be transmitted by direct skin contact or through the sharing of articles like towels, shoes or clothing. Fungal infections can cause tinea, ringworm, and nail infections. Symptoms of fungal infections include itching, redness and flaking.
Reptiles and amphibians may carry a variety of bacteria including Salmonella, Campylobacter, Aeromonas and Giardia that can spread to people through contact with their food, water or habitat. These are called zoonotic diseases and can be especially dangerous to young children, the elderly or those with impaired immune systems.
Reptiles can also carry bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium that pose a potential threat to immunocompromised persons. This is called mycobacterial disease or zoonotic mycobacterial infection and it is seen in wild and captive bred reptiles. Symptoms vary depending on the organ involved, but gastrointestinal involvement is common in snakes, crocodiles and lizards. Bone and soft tissue involvement is rare. At necropsy, granulomatous lesions are often found in these animals. Treatment consists of antibiotics such as rifampicin and isoniazid.
4. Metabolic Bone Disorder
Metabolic Bone Disorder, also known as MBD, is a group of conditions that affects the bone density, structure or shape due to nutritional or hormonal imbalances. This disorder typically involves a disturbance of calcium metabolism and results in various symptoms, depending on the underlying condition. Some examples of metabolic bone disease include osteoporosis, rickets, hypophosphatasia, hyperparathyroidism, and secondary fibrous osteodystrophy.
Snakes and other reptiles that eat whole prey generally get adequate levels of calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D from their diets. However, MBD may develop in these reptiles as a result of dietary deficiencies, kidney disease or inadequate UVB light.
Symptoms of MBD in reptiles range from soft bones, bowed legs, twitching and/or tremors, and loss of appetite. In lizards, MBD can cause bumps to form on the long bones of the legs. This symptom is the body’s attempt to strengthen these areas of the skeletal structure with fibrous tissue to compensate for a lack of calcium.
A workup for metabolic bone disease usually begins with a DEXA scan, which is a non-invasive procedure that measures the bone density in several different bones. The results of this test are then compared to that of the normal population and can identify patients who may be at risk for a fracture.
5. Botulism
Botulism is caused by ingesting Clostridium botulinum bacteria that release a toxin into the stomach. This botulinum neurotoxin causes paralysis of muscles. It can lead to breathing failure and death. In cases of foodborne botulism, people usually eat contaminated foods. Wound botulism can occur when a wound becomes infected with C botulinum spores, which then grow and produce toxins.
A person with botulism may have abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. Other symptoms include weakness, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Botulism is rare, but it can be deadly.
In outbreaks, health officials must quickly recognize the disease, determine the source (natural, accidental or deliberate) and prevent additional cases. They must also arrange for distribution of antitoxin to the affected population.
If a person has suspected botulism, they should receive supportive care in hospital. This includes intravenous fluids and medicines to control fever and pain. Antitoxin can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the toxin from spreading throughout the body. Doctors may also need to use ventilators in severe cases of wound or intestinal botulism. Electrodiagnostic studies, such as a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exam and electromyography, might show an increment in the amplitude of motor nerve action potential peaks.