Literaturdatenbank
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Hatt, J.-M. , Selected endoparasites in reptiles. Unpublished paper presented at Proceedings of the 35th World Small Animal Veterinary Congress WSAVA 2010.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:33 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: anon2010e View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Echsen - saurians, Einzeller - protozoa, Parasiten - parasites, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Schlangen - snakes, Testudinidae, Testudo hermanni, Veterinärmedizin - veterinary medicine Creators: Hatt Collection: Proceedings of the 35th World Small Animal Veterinary Congress WSAVA 2010 |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Several institutions have reported endoparasitism in tortoises. In the wild, tortoises typically have a balanced parasite burden. Under captive conditions, however, an imbalance is more likely to occur because of stress factors such as inadequate diet, low temperature, or overcrowding. An imbalance of endoparasites may represent a serious threat to tortoises and may predispose them to other diseases. Some parasites are important parts of the intestinal microflora, especially ciliates, such as e.g. Balantidium and Nyctotherus. Treatment is not warranted. The most frequently diagnosed nematode in tortoises is of the order Oxiuridae. The clinical significance is unknown, but in animals showing signs of disease such as anorexia, weight loss or diarrhoea, treatment is recommended. Fenbendazole (50 mg/kg po SID for 5 days) and pyrantel (5 mg/kg po with a repeated treatment after two 2 weeks) have been used to treat nematodes in tortoises. Regarding the use of fenbendazole it should be noted, that one study in Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) adverse effects were noted.4 The animals were treated twice with fenbendazole 50 mg/kg for 5 days with a 2 weeks break. Blood analysis revealed extended heteropenia with transient hypoglycemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperphosphatemia. An alternative might be the intracloacal application of fenbendazole, toxic effects have not been observed. Recently another nematode treatment was proposed for tortoises, lizards and snakes.5 A mixture of 1.98% emodepside and 7.94% praziquantel (Profender®, Bayer AG, Levekusen, Germany) was applied onto the skin of different reptiles. Reptiles up to 5 g body weight received 1–6 μl, those of up to 50 g body weight 7–70 μl, those of up to 500 g body weight 70–700 μl, and those up to 5 kg body weight received 700–7000 μl. An important pathogenic protozoan parasite in tortoises and occasionally in terrapins are flagellates, that affect the kidneys, Hexamita. Infection occurs after ingestion of cysts, that are shed in the urine. Initially the parasite colonizes the intestine and subsequently invades the renal organs via the cloaca. The excreta of affected tortoises are soft and the urine has a jelly-like appearance. The motile parasite is easily identified in fresh samples. Clinical signs are linked to nephropathy and secondary effects may include metabolic bone disease. Treatment is with metronidazole (50 mg/kg po SID during 10 days) and disinfection of the terrarium is paramount, to avoid reinfestation.
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