|
|
Viruses
an Unexpected Danger to Reptile Pets
Manhattan -- Reptile enthusiasts know their pets can be plagued by bacterial infections.
But another, less common problem also afflicts pet reptiles. Even veterinarians forget about them sometimes - viruses.
"If you read the textbooks, most of it is about bacterial diseases," said veterinarian Dr. Ramiro Isaza, a Kansas State University assistant professor of clinical sciences. "People throw antibiotics at an animal and it doesn't get better, because they are not thinking about viruses."
Pet owners, and even veterinarians, can sometimes miss a viral infection in a reptile, which requires a completely different treatment. For example, mouth rot is a common malady in snakes and is usually bacterial, but in boas and pythons it can be caused by the boid inclusion retrovirus.
"In mouth rot of snakes caused by a retrovirus, antibiotics won't help the animal. That's why it's important to know it's a virus. Once you know that, you can at least help the animal feel comfortable," Isaza said.
There are at least 10 to 15 identified reptilian viruses, but only three are often found in pets, Isaza said.
The boid inclusion retrovirus is one of the major viruses found in boa constrictors and pythons. Symptoms include an inability to move well, vomiting, weakness and a poor immune system, which leads to bacterial infections like mouth rot.
"This disease is very common and unfortunately it's found in the pet trade more and more these days," Isaza said.
Herpes virus in tortoises also looks like a bacterial infection of the mouth or nasal passages. This disease can even jump from one species to another. The third major virus is the adenovirus of lizards. These animals show signs of liver disease, refuse their food and seem weak.
Methods of diagnosing and treating these diseases are in their infancy. Isaza said veterinarians who think a reptile might have a virus should take a tissue sample called a biopsy, look at it under a microscope and possibly perform an electron microscopy test.
There are no drug treatments that cure reptilian viruses, but pet owners can give drugs that help the animal feel better. Isaza said they should also isolate the pet from other reptiles and not sell the animals. Viruses are generally more contagious than bacteria, Isaza said.
Isaza said owners of pet reptiles should remind their veterinarian that some viruses can affect their pets. Veterinarians should learn about the three major viruses, as reptiles are growing in popularity as a pet species, he said.
"In our practice, we are seeing more reptiles. In many ways, they are pets of interest to people. They are also relatively easy to keep," Isaza said.
Isaza specializes in zoological medicine and sees exotic pets through the zoological medicine service at K-State. He also works on zoo animals and wildlife cases.
Source: Ramiro
Isaza, 785-532-4236 or send e-mail to risaza@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mark Berry, 785-532-6415
Kansas State University
|
|
