Cryptosporidiosis in Reptiles

By Stephanie Kunder

Cryptosporidiosis has been reported in a variety of different reptile species. This disease appears to be common in wild and captive populations of reptiles, and transmission occurs by the fecal-oral route. Infected reptiles may not express symptoms but are sporadic shedders of oocysts (eggs). Clinical signs of Crypto infection include regurgitation and weight loss accompanied by abnormal enlargement of the mucous membrane layer of the stomach.
Diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis can be challenging. One method of diagnosis is the identification of oocysts within a fecal specimen via acid-fast staining. A negative acid-fast stain only indicates that the reptile was not shedding at the time of sampling and does not mean the animal is Crypto free. Standard practice is to test three times before assuming the animal is free from the disease. Endoscopy, including gastric lavage and biopsy, can also be utilized to identify this disease.
The most common species of Cryptosporidiosis found in reptiles is C. serpentis, C. muris and C. parvum. It has been suggested that C. parvum occysts (mouse based) found were probably from rodents ingested by the reptiles rather then and actual infection of Crypto. This possibility regarding C. parvum infecting reptiles can only be totally rules out by additional careful biologic and genetic studies.
In March 1999, the Saint Louis Zoo initiated a diagnosis-euthanasia program after the identification of chronic Cryptosporidium in snakes in their facility. To monitor the effectiveness of the control measures, samples were periodically taken from snakes for a period of one year. Right after the initiation of the control measure, 5 of 10 and 8 of 17 snakes samples were positive for Crypto in May and June of 1999, respectively. Afterwards, only 1 of 45 snake samples taken at five different time periods was positive for Cryptosporidiosis.
Currently there are no effective control strategies against Cryptosporidium in reptiles. In a small-scale study, it was demonstrated that snakes with clinical and subclinical Cryptosporidium could be effectively treated (not cured) with hyperimmune bovine colostrum raised against C. parvum. Strict hygiene and quarantine of infected and exposed animals are mandatory for control of Cryptosporidiosis, however most ellect euthanasia of the infected. The best method to prevent Crypto from spreading is to euthanize infected reptiles.
Crypto oocysts are only neutralized by exposure to moist heat between 113°F and 140°F for 5 to 9 minutes and by disinfection with ammonia (5%) or formal saline (10%) for 18 hours. Ineffective disinfectants included idophores (1%-4%), cresylic acid (2.5% and 5%), sodium hypochlorite (3%), benzalkonium chloride (5% and 10%), and sodium hydroxide (0.02 m). Anything that could have potentially been in contact with an infected reptile should be thoroughly cleaned with an ammonia solution and allowed to dry for a period of at least 3 days.

Iguana Cage Building Or Buying Tips and Tricks

Iguanas environment is necessary for happiness and prosperity. Therefore, building iguana cages to your needs is very important. This article explains what you are looking for and buy or build iguana cage, and how to make your pet happy, comfortable.

Stripe size: wild iguanas on a wide area, while the first and the construction or purchase of a package, decent housing, the area can be covered, would have, so that they enjoy the freedom.

Iguanas are tree creatures, so that means they spend most of his life in the trees. It is necessary to stay away from their enemies, who dwell on the earth iguana at home, it is important to emphasize this type of habitat in a cage

Air flow: air circulation is important that the temperature and humidity in the cage, good air circulation and reduce soil increase. Do not worry, it's not difficult or expensive, you can use low-cost fan (although we expect the shock).

Remember to create a cold blood is very important to the iguana cage to the right temperature of 80 ° F (26.6 C) and 88 F (31.1 C to obtain) Day and night, the temperature 75 ° F (23, 8 C) and 80 F (26, 6 C).

Use to provide a thermometer in different places chamber heat

Lighting and heating

Onions: the onion and the average working at home. Power and type of use depends on the size of the cage.

Mercury vapor lamps: This is a better solution than the UV and heat to operate and cheaper

Ceramic Heat: Heat is suitable for cold weather in the night

Electric blankets: they are of limited value, which is at the bottom of the cage, where iguanas spend time

Warning: The iguanas are excellent climbers and spectators, the cables are not available. It also contains a list of all sources of heat and light

Clean: keep bugs and insects from the cage iguana, unnecessary food and regular cleaning of the field

Iguanas are fascinating and believe it or not love and joy in your own. But as every pet owner should know what is best for their animals happy. Then click on the link below for free eCourse for five days, all the basics you know .

Amphibian or Reptile?

Reptiles and amphibians are amazing creatures. Reptiles, is a kind of cold, the spawn on the spot and the skin in general. Example of a snake is a reptiles. Although the eggs of amphibians, but I can breathe under water and air. An example of amphibious frog. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish the difference between reptiles and amphibians.

Today, more than 5,000 species of amphibians of the world. There are over 8,000 known species of reptiles in the world. Amphibians are in three groups: newts and salamanders, frogs and toads, and caecilians divided. Reptiles are in four groups: turtles, lizards and snakes, crocodiles and tuatara divided.

A good way reptiles amphibians have shown the skin of the animals. Gad is usually difficult, scaly skin panels or boards. Instead, there is normally a soft, smooth skin is moist and sometimes warts amphibians.

Once the skin is found, you must determine whether the animal has legs. Many reptiles, like alligators, crocodiles and turtles, the legs, but other reptiles like snakes, do not. Amphibians can legs. Animals such as frogs, frogs, salamanders, newts and legs, but Caecilianus amphibians because they are not. Moreover, some amphibians tails, while others do not. Newts and salamanders are amphibians, Dick, when frogs and toads are amphibians, which he is.

Amphibians are the legs, but no queues are frogs and toads. Sometimes, however, can be difficult to determine the toad frog. Toad is dry and rough skin warts, frogs, smooth and moist, and no warts .

Proper Iguana Care / Facts

Reptiles is Hot Trend Pet

Reptiles and bearded dragons, lizards, and snakes are popular pets like dogs and are likely, a new study found.

Who would have thought, would that never in the United Kingdom, where it became more than a nation of dog lovers have known. It seems that, as the dog is a fish and chips, which was replaced in turn popular by most of the topic Curry's.

Federation of British Herpetologists calculations (BFH) indicates that there are currently eight million, reptiles and amphibians, animals in the UK. In comparison, about 6.5 million people in dogs.

Chairman of the Federation, said Chris Newman: "Now there is no doubt, reptiles, more than one partner Dogs Kingdom. Look at how the market is gone. I have no doubt that at the moment 7-8000000 live reptiles as pets in Britain?.

The popularity of reptiles "pets have grown rapidly growing every day. They have existed for a traditional niche.

Ordination of long-lived reptiles because they are more comfortable now, and it may be easier than with traditional dogs and cats to manage.

Figures so quickly, that has in recent years the country for over nine million domestic cats, the first election in Britain.

Reptiles are fairly cheap to make, and to maintain. Most are stored in heated tanks, at least part of day. You need less attention than other animals in a cage, its dry and solid waste.

Approximate number of reptiles in the whole food market, the market for such things as insects and mice. recorded since 2004 when the population of reptiles sales of five million locusts doubled from 1910 to 1920 meters in the week, more than four million locusts in about a week.

Five most popular Leopard Gecko, bearded dragons, corn snakes, pythons Royal (Python) and Hermann Tortoises | Bearded Dragon, Geckos Corn Snakes | Leopard Python | Royal (Python) and Hermann tortoises.

Other common types Colubridae snake chameleon, gecko and crested newt ring. Now in its fifth most commonly grown in lizards.
The largest snakes are pets like Burmese pythons, which can reach more than 20 meters in length and the largest water monitor lizard, which sizes up to 7 meters are treated.

One of the reptiles are mostly bearded dragon, which is very sociable and I am happy to sit on his lap to watch TV, then spent the whole area a little "fun, many say that they are no longer in line with the tradition of the animals. Although it is a strange sight dog, cat and turtle lizard crouched before the fire!

Reptiles Lover Do and Don't

What to do

The first Read more about the reptiles, which will surely come to you and reptile life.
Second, most reptiles have three categories: Portable manage, in part, and visual. You have to decide what you are interested before purchasing.
Third, if you all can see what you already know the reptile, you'll know what to expect.
Be prepared for the fourth needs electricity and cleaning.
Anna reptile fifth day. This way you know that if something needs to be corrected, or care for reptiles changed.how


What does not

Be the first reptiles are not cool.
Another not to leave windows or doors when you are safe to delete reptiles.
Third, Make sure that it is safe before reptile cage.
Fourth If you Frogs have never been treated with dry hands, as this damage to the skin .

Pet Reptiles

Pet reptiles can be very different in many ways! They are usually calm and almost odorless. The area needed to change the animal. Perhaps less space than a pot or a larger room. You can usually find a suitable home reptiles, if you live in the apartment, dormitory or apartment.

Reptiles are easy to keep to a minimum of scrubbing. You can lose even one meal from time to time and no stress experience. Reptiles eat in the wild, not as constant and is more in relation to their food than they are in captivity. Fat really a problem could be if they are fed daily.

Read the types that you be absolutely necessary. You can never know enough about your pet. Talk with people who really think reptiles are often useful, sometimes more than many books. If a reptile clubs in all regions of the world, so you should be able to find one in your area.