| A limited number of ectoparasites are seen, except on wild and newly acquired reptiles. Mites are distributed worldwide, and most reptilian species are affected. Reduced vitality and, in heavy infestations, death due to anemia may occur. Skin of affected reptiles appears coarse, and dysecdysis is frequent. The mite is <1.5 mm long and is often found near the eyecaps, gluttal folds, or any other indentation on the reptile. Mites may also be associated with mechanical transmission
of
Aeromonas
hydrophila
, a variety of other bacteria, and rickettsial agents, and they very likely act as a vector in inclusion body disease of boid snakes. |
|
Mites are visible to the naked eye but are hard to see in small numbers. If mites are suspected, gently rubbing the reptile while it is standing over a piece of white paper will allow the mites to be seen after they have fallen off. Affected reptiles often spend an inordinate amount of time soaking to drown the mites. Examination of the water dish can reveal the drowned remains of many mites. The gluttal folds, involutions around the
face, and the space between the eye and its orbit are favored areas and should be inspected carefully.
|
| There are many methods of treatment. In all cases, cages should be cleaned thoroughly, and substrate materials, branches, and disposable cage furniture eliminated. Newspaper bedding should be used until treatment is completed to facilitate frequent cleaning and to eliminate egg-laying sites. In small collections with a few cages, small pieces of dichlorvos strips are placed in containers (eg, jars or vials) in which holes have been made. This prevents the reptile from direct
contact with the strip but allows penetration of the dichlorvos vapors. The container should be placed in the cage for 3-4 hr at least 2-3 times a week for at least 3 wk. The cage must be well ventilated, and the water dish should be removed while the container is in the cage. |
| Toxicity can and will occur if the pest strips are used in nonventilated cages. For large collections with multiple cages, trichlorfon and ivermectin sprays work best, although trichlorfon may be removed from the market in the USA. Trichlorfon, available as an 8% solution, should be diluted to 0.15% by adding 8 mL of the solution to 400 mL of water; this is stable for up to 30 days. The cage and the reptile should be sprayed thoroughly once every 10-14 days as needed. The water
dish should be removed while spraying and not returned until the spray has dried. Trichlorfon must not be used in a closed cage; ventilation is essential. Trichlorfon is contraindicated in geckos. |
| Ivermectin, available as a 1% solution, should be diluted by adding 1 mL (10 mg) to 1 L of water; this is stable for up to 30 days. The cage and reptile should be sprayed thoroughly every 4-5 days for up to 3 wk. The water dish should be removed while spraying and drying. Ivermectin is contraindicated for use in turtles and tortoises, and while a dilute spray is likely safe, the potential for toxicity is real. |
| Pyrethrins and pyrethroids have been used with conflicting information and accounts of efficacy. Pyrethrins, especially those with residual action, may be used outside the cage to help control mites in the environment. Herpetoculturalists have reported severe or fatal consequences following the application of a pyrethrin spray product on snakes. Apparently, the animals were lightly but thoroughly sprayed with the product and then returned to poorly ventilated shoebox cages. In one
reported incident, 20 out of 30 snakes died within 2 hr. It appears that the aerosolized pyrethrin in a poorly ventilated container is quite dangerous. Pyrethroids, or synthetic pyrethrins, are supposed to be more potent but far less toxic. Many veterinarians and hobbyists have successfully used the pyrethroids diluted as a sponge-on application, as long as ventilation is adequate. |
| The larvae of trombiculid mites (chiggers) are seen occasionally but are not considered to be pathogenic. |
|
Ticks are frequently found on reptiles, and heavy infestations may result in anemia. Argasid ticks may cause paralysis, with muscle degeneration at the site of the bite. The transmission of green-lizard papilloma-associated virus, several hemogregarines, and the filarid worm
Macdonaldius
oscheri
has been associated with ticks. Ticks can be removed manually. Systemic antibiotics are often indicated due to systemic infections associated with multiple cutaneous bite wounds and, potentially, with transmission of pathogenic bacteria. |
|
Leeches have been found on the legs, head, neck, and in the oral cavity of a variety of turtles and crocodilians. |
| Turtles frequently have
cutaneous myiasis. Botflies (including
Cuterebra
sp
) create a cutaneous wound in which to lay their eggs, which hatch into bots that live in their cyst-like structures until they are mature enough to leave the wound. These lesions are characterized as a lump under the skin; on closer inspection, they have an opening that is often lined by a black, crusted material. Treatment consists of slightly expanding the natural opening and manually removing the bot with a forceps. The wound is then flushed with povidone-iodine,
chlorhexidine, etc, and an antibiotic ointment is instilled. Systemic antibiotics are indicated in reptiles that have multiple lesions. Cutaneous myiasis also occurs secondary to existing wounds, and maggots must be manually removed and the underlying lesion treated with topical and systemic antibiotics as needed. During heavy fly season, turtles often are housed indoors or with screens over their enclosures to offer some protection. |
| Ectoparasite infestations are best prevented by thorough screening and quarantine of all new animals entering a collection. |
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