Introducing reptiles into a captive collection: the role of the veterinarian.
The successful introduction of reptiles into a captive collection depends on providing optimal husbandry and veterinary attention. An important role of the veterinarian in this process is the prevention of disease introduction, which may affect both the introduced and the resident animals. This review focuses on preventive veterinary medicine in reptiles, emphasising quarantine measures, disinfection and entry control for infectious agents. Agents discussed include those that are likely give rise to severe clinical problems on introduction into a collection of reptiles, or, in the case of Salmonella, those that pose a significant public health risk. Aetiology, clinical signs and diagnosis are discussed for the most relevant endo- and ectoparasites, bacteria and viruses including Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba, Salmonella, Dermabacter, Chlamydiales, Mycoplasma, Herpesvirus, Adenovirus, Paramyxovirus and inclusion body disease.
Pasmans
Frank
F
Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. frank.pasmans@UGent.be
Blahak
Silvia
S
Martel
An
A
Pantchev
Nikola
N
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D012104:Reptiles; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000517:prevention & control; D014730:Veterinary Medicine