Coprological survey in pet reptiles in Italy

Papini, Roberto Amerigo; Manetti, C.; Mancianti, Francesca

doi:10.1136/vr.d4398

Cited by 22 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…More than 80% of the faecal samples were positive for parasites, especially pinworms, coccidians and flagellates. These results are similar to those published by Papini et al (2011), Rataj et al (2011 and Ras-Norynska and Sokol (2015). Endoparasites were present in over 50% of the cases of constipation, whereas metabolic bone diseases or aberrations in calcium and phosphorus levels were present in over one-third of the cases of constipation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: a retrospective study of 529 patients

Schmidt-Ukaj¹,

Hochleithner²,

Richter³

et al. 2017

Vet. Med. - Czech

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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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: a retrospective study of 529 patients

Schmidt-Ukaj¹,

Hochleithner²,

Richter³

et al. 2017

Vet. Med. - Czech

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“…These previous studies were however performed at a time when the majority of the pet tortoise population in the UK were wild-caught, which may explain the conflicting results. Epidemiological surveys carried out on tortoises in Italy, Germany and Slovenia revealed a varying prevalence of parasites ranging from 43 to 82 per cent and, in agreement with the present study, all found that oxyurids are the most common parasite detected in tortoises (Traversa and others 2005, Pasmans and others 2008, Papini and others 2011, Rataj and others 2011). These studies were based mainly on captive-bred tortoises which are likely to represent a more similar population to that in this study.…”

Section: Protozoasupporting

confidence: 92%

Gastrointestinal parasitic burdens in UK tortoises: a survey of tortoise owners and potential risk factors

2013

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Despite gastrointestinal parasites being commonly diagnosed in captive tortoises throughout the UK, there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in tortoises in the UK, and to investigate the factors affecting the prevalence of these parasites. Owners were invited to submit a faecal sample from their tortoise in conjunction with a completed questionnaire covering details of signalment and husbandry. Data from the questionnaires were analysed at the end of the study. Faecal analysis was performed on samples from Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca and Testudo horsfieldii. This involved examination of direct wet preparations, a modified McMaster technique, passive NaCl flotation and Cryptosporidium staining. Of the 142 samples used, 130 were examined by the first three methods. 49 per cent were positive for one or more parasites. Of the positive samples, 67 per cent were positive for oxyurids, 28 per cent were positive for ascarids and 28 per cent were positive for protozoa (Balantidium, Nyctotherus or flagellates). Only 1/113 (0.8 per cent) samples was positive for Cryptosporidium. The most important risk factors for parasites were sex (F) and length of time (<5 years) in owner's possession. This survey showed that gastrointestinal parasites are frequently detected in the faecal samples of captive tortoises in the UK, but their prevalence may be influenced by various factors including sex, length of time owned, age and species.

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“…With respect to the parasitological analysis our results showed a prevalence of 81.1% for oxyurids; higher values compared with those recently reported in a study conducted by Papini et al [15] who recorded a prevalence of 29.2% for these pinworms in captive tortoises farmed in central Italy. We can explain this difference in the prevalence rates by the different diagnostic tools used in the two studies.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 63%

“…We can explain this difference in the prevalence rates by the different diagnostic tools used in the two studies. Papini et al [15] used a routine faecal flotation method to detect helminthes. In contrast, we used the highly sensitive and multivalent FLOTAC technique which was also showed as the best copromicroscopic method for assessing pinworm prevalence as reported by Rinaldi et al [26] in rabbits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Survey of co-infection by Salmonellaand oxyurids in tortoises

et al. 2012

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BackgroundSalmonella spp. and oxyurids are among the most prevalent bacterial and parasitic agents in reptiles. These organisms are routinely isolated in healthy tortoises, although heavy infections may cause significant pathology. Tortoises are considered a common source of reptile-associated salmonellosis, an important zoonosis reported worldwide. A survey of the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and oxyurids in 53 tortoises was conducted in southern Italy and a possible correlation between the two pathogens was therefore investigated.ResultsSalmonella spp. and oxyurids were detected with a prevalence of 49.1 and 81.1%, respectively. A significant positive correlation between Salmonella spp. and oxyurids was demonstrated. However, confounding factors related to husbandry could have been involved in determining this correlation.ConclusionsOur results suggest that caution should be exercised in translocation, husbandry, and human contact with tortoises and other exotic pets. Further studies on the epidemiology, molecular characterization and pathogenesis of Salmonella and oxyurids are needed to assess the actual impact of these organisms, as single or associated infections, on tortoises and on other exotic pets.

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Coprological survey in pet reptiles in Italy

Cited by 22 publications

References 20 publications

A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: a retrospective study of 529 patients

A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: a retrospective study of 529 patients

Gastrointestinal parasitic burdens in UK tortoises: a survey of tortoise owners and potential risk factors

Survey of co-infection by Salmonellaand oxyurids in tortoises

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