Page 15 - Parasites in pet reptiles

Rataj et al. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2011, 53:33 Page 13 of 20
http://www.actavetscand.com/content/53/1/33

Figure 17 Pentastomid egg (Raillietiella sp.) in Tokay Gecko Figure 19 Anterior end of adult Physaloptera sp. in Green
(Gekko gecko). Iguana (Iguana iguana).

most frequently in Hermann’s tortoises (92.5%). In tor- inflammatory lesions in the lung and other organs,
toises we found Oxyurid nematoda (Pharyngodonidae, which was also confirmed in our investigation. Similar
Tachygonetria sp.) in 33.3% to 92.5% and in turtles (Eur- findings are described by other authors. They describe
opean Pond Turtle and red-Eared Sliders) only in 10.0% secondary diarrhoea, anorexia, vomiting and loss of con-
to 16.7%. This parasite is common in herbivore reptiles. dition [26,37,38].
Oxyurid nematoda have developed a commensal rela- Trematoda eggs, in surprising contrast to the litera-
tionship with their host [21,36,37]. ture data - where this parasite is rarely mentioned in
Strongylid nematoda (43.7%) and Balantidium sp. turtles - were found in high percentage in Marginated
(26.2%) were found mostly in Chelonians. Among Stron- Tortoises in 60.0% and Spur-thighed Tortoises in 26.4%
gylid nematoda, Camallanus sp. (Figure 46) were most in our investigation. Clinical signs were not observed.
frequently present. Ciliated protozoan Balantidium sp. Klingenberg [23] described that flukes are often seen in
is an important commensal organism but may reach aquatic turtles eating fish and frogs.
high levels in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases In our investigation Strongyloides sp., Cestoda and
[33]. Nyctotherus sp. were also detected in less than 5%. Pre-
Ascarid nematoda (20.3%) (Figures 47, 48 and 49) valence of Nyctotherus sp. was lower than described by
were established in Spur-thighed Tortoises in 56.9% and other authors [23,33].
in Hermann’s Tortoises in 11.5%. These parasites Ectoparasites in two Indian Star Tortoises, two
migrate through various organ systems and can lead to Radiated Tortoises and one Hermann’sTortoisewere
Amblyomma sp.

Figure 18 Physaloptera sp. invasion in Bengal Monitor (Varanus Figure 20 Eggs in uterus of adult Physaloptera sp. in Green
bengalensis). Iguana (Iguana iguana).