Introduction

• Cause: inappropriate husbandry specifically environmental humidity (specifically in snakes), infectious causes such as Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii complex (Yellow fungus disease) in lizards, ecto- and endoparasitism, owner application of inappropriate supplements/ointments onto shell of Chelonia, underlying systemic disease. In Chelonia sometimes seen as a complication of untreated shell injuries. Common bacterial pathogens:
  • Serratia spp.
  • Pseudomonas spp.
  • Citrobacter spp.
  • Aeromonas spp.
• Signs: progressive skin/shell lesions. Recurrent issues with shedding, more frequent shedding.
• Diagnosis: culture and sensitivity swabbing, cytology, skin biopsy.
• Treatment: dependent on the causative agent, may range from systemic antibiotics to topical treatments.
• Prognosis: good to guarded depending on time of presentation and overall health.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Often caused by secondary bacterial and parasitic infections Chelonia parasitology overview Lizard parasitology overview Snake parasitology overview.
• Snakes: often associated with high environmental humidity, dirty environments and the use of heat mats which are not isolated from the animal Snake husbandry.
• In aquatic species often associated with lack of a basking spot leading to the animal spending excessive amounts of time in the water. Lack of a feeding surface and feeding in water may also predispose to increased contamination. Poor water quality may be a contributing factor.

Predisposing factors

General

• Inappropriate husbandry for the species Chelonia husbandry Lizard husbandry Snake husbandry.
• Dirty environment.
• Application of unnecessary ointments onto the skin, eg vegetable/coconut oil onto shell of Chelonia for ‘conditioning’.

Specific

• High environmental humidity in snake enclosures.
• Lack of biosecurity when introducing new animals to a collection increasing risk of parasite transmission.

Pathophysiology

• Immunosuppression resulting from poor husbandry or inappropriate hibernation in Chelonia may lead to hepatopathy and other organ dysfunction Hibernation / brumation. Excessively long hibernation in Chelonia may lead to dehydration and nutritional deficits also predisposing to infection.
• External injuries resulting from trauma Traumatic injuries may introduce a commensal infection.
• Dirty set ups with inappropriate bedding for the species kept may also predispose to skin trauma.

Timecourse

• Acute in newly obtained reptiles.
• Days to weeks post initial skin/shell injury.
• Often seen post-hibernation in Chelonia.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes