![]() The reptile can be a subclinical carrier of pathogens, for which ticks or other insects are the carriers. , mites - Ophionyssus natricis, which may not make the animal sick but can cause health problems in people. , pentastomes, for example Armillifer armillatus and Porocephalus sp. West Nile virus, Western Equine Encephalitis, bacteria e.g. Reptiles may carry diseases, which can be spread to other animals, other animal species and even to humans. All these factors suppress the immune response in reptiles and increase the opportunity for viruses, bacteria, yeast and funguses to cause infections and consequent diseases. Stressful life, concentration of animals and the presence of different species in a small living space actuate development, multiplication and spreading of parasites, which in nature live in cohabitation with their hosts. The infestation with parasites plays an important role. In the wild, reptiles rarely come into contact with their own waste or uneaten food, which is a common occurrence in the captivity. For many species, the basic requirements for nutrition and housing are unknown, so pet reptiles are highly susceptible to metabolic diseases. Reptiles are among the most inhumanely treated animals in the pet trade, because of their special needs for diets and habitats. ![]() About 90% of wild-caught reptiles die in the first year of captivity because of physical trauma prior to purchasing or because their owners cannot meet their complex dietary and habitat needs. Poor capture techniques, compounded by poor or inadequate shipping can kill many reptiles before they reach the pet stores. Reptiles can also be interesting for their potential use in bioterrorism. Further more, non-indigenous species can be found in our environment, upsetting delicate ecosystems eventually leading to the extinction of native species. Business may be even more remunerative for other two reasons: culinary specialities and traditional medicine drugs prepared from exotic animals. At the beginning of this century, illegal trade in endangered species had become the third in the world regarding to profit, close behind drugs and arms smuggling. While several reptile species sold as pet animals are bred in captivity, most of them are taken from the wild or are the offspring of wild-caught parents. Reptiles have become increasingly common domestic pets. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners. ![]() In examined turtles three different species of ectoparasites were seen. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. One Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. ![]() In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found. Twelve different groups (Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to 68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. ![]() Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and captive bred species were investigated. Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect humans. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |