Page 5 - Parasites in pet reptiles

Rataj et al. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2011, 53:33 Page 3 of 20
http://www.actavetscand.com/content/53/1/33

Table 1 The number of examined species of snakes and their origin
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME NUMBER OF EXAMINED ORIGIN
Elaphe guttata Corn Snake 10 EU countries*
Platyceps karelini Spotted Desert Racer 6 Pakistan*
Vipera ammodytes Nose-horned Viper 4 Slovenia**
Lampropeltis triangulum Milk Snake 4 EU countries*
Platyceps ventromaculatus Hardwicke’s Rat Snake 4 Pakistan*
Boa constrictor Boa Constrictor 3 EU countries*
Eryx johnii Brown Sand Boa 3 Pakistan*
Spalerosophis atriceps Diadem Snake 3 Pakistan*
(Black-headed Royal Snake)
Hierophis gemonensis Balkan Racer 2 Slovenia**
Coronella austriaca Smooth snake 2 Slovenia**
Natrix natrix Grass Snake 2 Slovenia**
Morelia viridis Green Python 2 EU countries*
Python regius Ball Python 2 EU countries*
Zamenis longissimus Aesculapean Snake 1 Slovenia**
Corallus caninus Tree Boa 1 EU countries*
Elaphe obsoleta Black Rat Snake 1 EU countries*
Boiga trigonata Indian Gamma Snake 1 Pakistan*
Gongylophis conicus Rough-tailed Sand Boa 1 Pakistan*
Spalerosophis diadema Diadem Snake 1 Pakistan*
Two aquatic species / 2 Pakistan*
(undetermined species)
21 different species 55
* Snakes were imported from reptile farms.
** Originated from Slovenia - native species.

In 38 cases three different species were identified and in Tapeworms (Anoplocephalidae, Oochoristica sp.) were
two lizards four different species were found. In the Sudan seen in intestine of six Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Spiny-tailed Lizard eggs of pinworms (Pharyngodon sp.), and four Spiny-tailed Lizards (Uromastyx sp.) at
tapeworms (Anoplocephalidae), Balantidium sp., and necropsy. A mass of tapeworms in intestine of Green
Cryptosporidium sp. were determined. In Tokay Gecko Iguana has been found. Up to 25 tapeworms were found
eggs of Pharingodon sp., Physaloptera sp., Eimeria sp. inside intestines of all four Spiny-tailed Lizards. At
oocysts and Trombiculid mites (Geckobia sp.) were found. necropsy only anaemia was seen.
The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. was established in Up to twenty larvae (cystacanths) of unidentified spe-
three lizards (two Spiny-tailed Lizards and Leopard cies belonging to Centrorhynchid Acanthocephala were
Gecko) and Trichomonadidae (Tetratrichomonas sp.) in seen on external side of intestine and mesenterium in
two lizards (Bright-eyed Day Gecko and Chinese Water six Monitors and two Spiny-tailed Lizards at necropsy.
Dragon). Details about the scientific names of endopara-
sites, their number and percentage and scientific names of Turtles’ parasites
lizards are described in Table 5. Nine different species of endoparasites in 498 (88.5%) of
At necropsy from ten to twenty Filarioid nematoda 563 examined turtles were determined. One species of
(Onchocercidae, Dirofilariinae, Oswaldofilaria sp.) were endoparasites was found in 140 turtles, two different
seen in abdominal cavity under serous membrane and species in 182 turtles, while 128 of them had three dif-
pleura in ten Monitors. In one of the Monitors a mass ferent species of endoparasites, 36 of them had four,
of round worms (Filarioid nematoda, Spiruroidea, Physa- and finally in three turtles five different endoparasites
lopteridae) was seen in oesophagus and stomach. In were found. In two Spur-thighed Tortoises, Oxyurid
seven Spiny-tailed Lizards (Uromastyx sp.) Filarioid nematoda (Pharyngodonidae, Tachygonetria sp.), Ascari-
nematoda (Onchocercidae, Dirofilariinae, Setaria digi- dae (Angusticaecum sp.) and Strongylid eggs were deter-
tata) were detected in subcutaneous granulomas at mined. In one of them Strongyloides sp. and eggs of
microscopic examination. Trematoda and Balantidium sp. were found and eggs of