Common Reptile Diseases and How to Treat Them

What are Reptile Diseases?

Reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and other creatures with backbones, can suffer from a variety of diseases. These diseases can range from mild to life-threatening. Since reptiles are ectotherms, meaning they rely on their environment to maintain their body temperature, husbandry practices and the environment they live in can play a significant role in their susceptibility to disease. And just like with domestic animals such as cats and dogs, it is important to understand the basics of how to recognize, diagnose, and treat diseases in reptiles.

Common Reptile Diseases

There are several common diseases that reptiles can suffer from. Some of these illnesses can be caused by parasites, while others may be caused by a bacteria or virus. Some of the more common reptile diseases include:

• Metabolic Bone Disease - a metabolic disorder caused by a lack of calcium, vitamin D3, and/or phosphorus.
• Respiratory Infections - caused by bacteria or viruses and can include symptoms such as open-mouth breathing, frequent sneezing, and mucous coming from the mouth or nose.
• Metabolic Acidosis - a disorder that is caused by having too much acid in the blood, usually caused by an infection or due to poor husbandry.
• Skin Infestations - caused by an infestation of mites, ticks, or other parasites, which can cause scratching, loss of appetite, and hair loss.
• Gastrointestinal Parasites - parasitic worms that can make their way into the reptile's gut, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• Intestinal Obstruction - caused by an accumulation of foreign bodies, feces, or mucus, which can cause vomiting, straining to defecate, and weight loss.

How to Treat Reptile Diseases

It is important to recognize the signs of disease in reptiles and get them to the veterinarian as soon as possible as many of these diseases can be life-threatening. Once the veterinarian has diagnosed the disease, they will recommend a treatment plan, which may include antibiotics, antifungals, or other medications. The treatment plan may also include dietary modification and management of husbandry practices. Here are some tips on how to treat common reptile diseases:

• Metabolic Bone Disease: To treat metabolic bone disease, it is important to provide your reptile with a healthy, balanced diet. The diet should include a variety of calcium and vitamin D3 sources, such as vegetables and calcium supplements. It is also important to ensure your reptile has access to adequate levels of heat and UVB light.
• Respiratory Infections: To treat respiratory infections, it is important to isolate the reptile from other animals, as this will help reduce the risk of spreading the disease. It is also important to keep the reptile's environment warm and humid to help them breathe easier. Antibiotics can be prescribed by the veterinarian to help treat the infection.
• Metabolic Acidosis: To treat metabolic acidosis, it is important to address the cause of the disorder, such as an infection or poor husbandry. Changes to the reptile's diet may also be recommended as well as antibiotics or other medications.
• Skin Infestations: To treat skin infestations, it is important to isolate the reptile from other animals and take steps to control the environment, such as reducing humidity and increasing ventilation. The veterinarian may also recommend medications or a mite bath to help rid the reptile of the parasites.
• Gastrointestinal Parasites: To treat gastrointestinal parasites, it is important to isolate the reptile from other animals. The veterinarian may recommend fecal tests to diagnose the parasite and then prescribe de-worming medication. It is also important to keep the reptile's environment clean to prevent re-infection.
• Intestinal Obstruction: To treat intestinal obstruction, it is important to provide the reptile with a diet that is low in fiber and to keep its environment clean. The veterinarian may prescribe medications to help control the obstruction or surgery may be required if the obstruction is severe.

Conclusion

Reptiles have a variety of diseases, ranging from mild to life threatening. It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of disease in reptiles so that they can be treated as soon as possible. Common reptile diseases include metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, metabolic acidosis, skin infestations, gastrointestinal parasites, and intestinal obstruction. To treat these diseases, it is important to provide the reptile with a healthy, balanced diet, keep its environment clean and properly controlled, and consult the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.