ABSTRACT:The aim of this clinical retrospective study was to analyse the prevalence of common disorders in 529 captive bearded dragons that were presented to three exotic animal clinics in Central Europe (Austria and Czech Republic) over a period of three years. A diagnosis was made on the basis of the presenting clinical signs and physical examination in 30.8% of the cases, whereas various additional diagnostic tests were performed in the other cases (69.2%). These included diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasound and computed tomography), examination of faecal samples for the presence of parasites, a blood-profile analysis, histological, as well as bacteriological and mycological examinations and necropsy. Gastrointestinal diseases (42.67%) like endoparasitism, constipation, sand ingestion, tympany and meteorism were the most common disorders. In 51.92% of the cases of constipation, endoparasites were present, whereas in 38.46% of the cases of constipation, metabolic bone diseases and imbalances in calcium and phosphorus levels were detected. Most of the analysed faecal samples (83.27%) were positive for the presence of endoparasites (48.7% pinworms, 25.39% coccidians and 16.06% flagellates). Dermatological problems (22.4%) contained skin tumours, which were observed in adult lizards (age range from three to eight years) and included spindle cell tumour on the eyelid, as well as spindle cell sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma on the trunk. Osteodystrophy, limb fractures and various types of necrosis on the limbs and tail were frequently observed musculoskeletal disorders (18.93%). Over half of all animals (57.14%) that underwent a blood test, showed a deviation in the calcium-phosphorus ratio, 63.98% showed hypocalcaemia and 26.71% hyperphosphataemia. Diseases of the urogenital system (9.47%) included renal diseases and dystocia. Neoplastic diseases besides skin tumours included two cases of leukaemia in 4-year-old bearded dragons, one of these with lymphoma in kidneys, lungs and liver and one ganglioneuroma in the body cavity of a bearded dragon of unknown age. Orthopaedic surgeries were most frequently performed to amputate the limbs or tail, whereas soft-tissue surgeries most often included the treatment of skin wounds and correction of cloacal prolapse, in addition to ovariectomy, salpingotomy or salpingectomy in female bearded dragons. Similar to the situation in Australia and the USA, infectious as well as non-infectious diseases are common in captive bearded dragons in Central Europe. Due to the high occurrence of endoparasitism, skin diseases and metabolic bone diseases in this present study, regular veterinary controls in bearded dragons including parasitological faecal examinations and optimisation of feeding and housing are necessary to improve the standard of health of bearded dragons kept as pet lizards in Europe.

This is the first case of an infection with D. agamarum and C. guarroi in an inland bearded dragon (P. vitticeps). It emphasizes the importance of mycological cultures and specific treatment. Samples of suspected Chrysosporium sp. should be cultured at 30°C for 10-14 days. Early antifungal treatment is necessary to prevent systemic and potentially fatal infection with C. guarroi.

Dermatomycosis associated with Nannizziopsis sp. is documented in lizards, terrestrial and aquatic snakes, and crocodiles. 6 Hyphomycete fungi of the family Nannizziopsiaceae isolated from bearded dragons include N. chlamydospora, N. draconii, N. barbata, N. guarroi, and N. vriesii. 1-7,9 Clinical signs include swellings, subcutaneous masses, and skin lesions. [1][2][3][4][5]9 Antifungal treatments were not always successful in resolving the skin lesions, or skin lesions recrudesce, resulting in the animals being euthanized and, at postmortem, systemic fungal infections were occasionally identified.2,4,5 Three central bearded dragons (syn. inland bearded dragon; Pogona vitticeps) from the same owner were privately held as companion animals. Two bearded dragons were male and 1 was female and all were 6 years of age. They were habituated in 2 terrariums (2.2 m 2 and 1.2 m 2 , photoperiod 10-12 h, ultraviolet source, temperature 23-40°C, cage substrate sand), fed insects twice a week, vegetables and fruit daily, and supplemented with a calcium and vitamin powder once a week. Males were housed separately, and alternately paired with the female bearded dragon. The 3 lizards were presented to the clinic because of chronic skin problems. One male bearded dragon (case 1) had crusty skin lesions on the lower mandible and a subcutaneous mass near the left shoulder; the second male bearded dragon (case 2) also had crusty, erosive, and ulcerative skin lesions on the lower mandible; and the female bearded dragon (case 3) had a subcutaneous mass near the left shoulder (Fig. 1). A routine fecal examination revealed Isospora amphiboluri and flagellates, resulting in the treatment of all 3 bearded dragons with toltrazuril (10 mg/kg orally) a and metronidazole (40 mg/kg orally) b twice within a 2-week interval. The subcutaneous masses were surgically excised in cases 1 and 3, and histological examination of the masses revealed necrotizing and granulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis associated with fungal hyphae. Case 1 was treated with itraconazole (5 mg/kg, orally every 48 h) c for 4 months and topical iodine solution, d and skin lesions improved; however, 6 months later, the skin lesions recurred. The condition of cases 1 and 2 deteriorated, and they were euthanized.Postmortem examination revealed granulomatous masses in liver, heart, and lungs in both cases. Case 1 additionally had granulomatous masses with intralesional fungal hyphae in kidneys, tongue, and intestine, as well as in the celomic serosa near the surgical scar at the left shoulder. Large numbers of fungal hyphae could also be seen inside blood vessels of numerous organs. Case 2 additionally had multifocal chronic deep granulomatous dermatitis with necrosis and ulceration 636422V DIXXX10.1177/1040638716636422Dermatomycosis in 3 bearded dragonsSchmidt-Ukaj et al. research-article2016Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses (Schmidt-Ukaj), Institute of Microbiology (Loncaric, Spergser) and Institute of Pathology and Forensic V...

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Giant African Land Snails like Lissachatina fulica have become increasingly popular as pets in Europe, but little is known yet about land snail diseases and their therapy. These case reports show the history of four adult Lissachatina fulica with apathy and esophagus protrusion or prolapse in three cases and edema and mantle collapse in another case. Renomegaly and/or kidney deposits could be demonstrated in radiographic and/or CT examinations in all four cases. Necropsy and histology revealing nephropathy could be performed in three cases. With these first case reports on land snails with kidney disease, we hope to encourage diagnostic imaging and further veterinary research in land snails to improve our knowledge about their diseases.

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