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The present report describes the clinical, gross pathologic and radiologic features of vertebral osteomyelitis in a black spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis) and a red tegu (Salvator refuscens). Both lizards were presented with hind limb ataxia and proprioception deficits and based on radiographic and computed tomographic imaging, a presumptive diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis was made. Microbiological examination of vertebral body biopsies revealed Morganella morganii and Enterococcus faecalis infection in the iguana and Enterobacter cloacae infection in the tegu. Failure of antimicrobial treatment in both lizards was considered to be at least partly attributable to the tardy onset of clinical signs resulting in a late diagnosis and pronounced chronicity of the vertebral lesions. While vertebral osteomyelitis has been repeatedly reported in snakes, reports in saurian species are scarce and rather anecdotal. Based on the findings in these cases, however, vertebral osteomyelitis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis for hind limb ataxia in lizards.

Summary Intracellular epidermal inclusions were detected within histological sections of skin biopsies from two panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) with chronic cheilitis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the abundant presence of icosahedral intracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral particles in infected keratinocytes, with an average diameter of 120–125 nm, consistent with herpesviruses (HVs). TEM also revealed the presence of virions in intercellular spaces and keratinocyte nuclei and features suggestive of capsid assembly, nuclear egress with primary envelopment and anterograde transport leading to virion assembly and release. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers targeting a conserved region of herpesvirus DNA-dependent DNA polymerase were used to amplify and sequence a product from a nested HV PCR performed on skin biopsies of both chameleons. Comparative sequence analysis indicates that the virus detected in both chameleons was a novel member of the Alphaherpesvirinae, which we refer to as chamaeleonid herpesvirus 1 (chamHV 1). Based on the identical findings in both chameleons, we consider chamHV 1 to be a candidate aetiological agent of cheilitis in panther chameleons. This is the first report of skin lesions in a chameleon species associated with HV infection.

Boid inclusion body disease is a worldwide occurring disease in boas and pythons. The identity of the etiological agent of the disease remained elusive for several decades. Recently however, contemporary diagnostic methods and experimental studies delivered compelling proof that a group of divergent reptarenaviruses arc the causative agents of BIBD. In contrast to what was initially thought, boid snakes can be persistent carriers of the viral disease without showing clinical signs. Although the cause of BIBD has been demonstrated, the diagnosis of BIBD may be challenging depending on the involved snake species, and the differentiation between comorbidities related to BIBD and clinical disease caused by concurrent disorders remains problematic. In this article, the course of BIBD infection in boid snakes, the major differences that are encountered towards the diagnosis of BIBD in pythons versus boas and the overall management of BIBD in captive snake collections are described.

A 17-year-old male green tree python (Morelia viridis) was presented with anorexia, intermittent hypersalivation and open-mouth breathing since 2 months. Besides irresponsiveness to antimicrobial and supportive treatment, the presence of a focal coelomic distention was noted at the ventral aspect of the cardiac region 1 month after initial presentation. Ultrasonography revealed a well-defined mass located at the base of the heart and excluded a cardiogenic origin. Nuclear 99mTc-pertechnetate (99mTcO4−Na+) scintigraphy was performed to confirm or exclude a thyroid gland disorder. Explorative coeliotomy revealed the presence of an ulcerated mass originating from the mucosal surface of the esophagus. Caudal to the intraluminal mass, an esophageal perforation showing healthy margins was observed and successfully surgically restored. Based on histological and microbiological examination, the esophageal mass proved to be a bacterial granuloma associated with an esophageal perforation. The current case highlights the need for a multidirectional approach toward establishing a definitive antemortem diagnosis of granulomatous esophagitis and esophageal perforation in snakes. This is the first report of a surgically managed esophageal perforation in a snake.

Inclusion body disease (IBD) is caused by reptarenaviruses and constitutes one of the most notorious viral diseases in snakes. Although central nervous system disease and various other clinical signs have been attributed to IBD in boid and pythonid snakes, studies that unambiguously reveal the clinical course of natural IBD and reptarenavirus infection are scarce. In the present study, the prevalence of IBD and reptarenaviruses in captive snake collections and the correlation of IBD and reptarenavirus infection with the clinical status of the sampled snakes were investigated. In three IBD positive collections, long-term follow-up during a three- to seven-year period was performed. A total of 292 snakes (178 boas and 114 pythons) from 40 collections in Belgium were sampled. In each snake, blood and buffy coat smears were evaluated for the presence of IBD inclusion bodies (IB) and whole blood was tested for reptarenavirus RNA by RT-PCR. Of all tested snakes, 16.5% (48/292) were positive for IBD of which all were boa constrictors (34.0%; 48/141) and 17.1% (50/292) were reptarenavirus RT-PCR positive. The presence of IB could not be demonstrated in any of the tested pythons, while 5.3% (6/114) were reptarenavirus positive. In contrast to pythons, the presence of IB in peripheral blood cells in boa constrictors is strongly correlated with reptarenavirus detection by RT-PCR (P

A 12-year-old, female mangrove snake ( Boiga dendrophila melanota ) was presented with a one-month history of anorexia, lethargy, and progressive distention of the caudal coelomic cavity. Based on ultrasonographic and cytological examination, an ovarian neoplasia was considered to be the presumptive antemortem diagnosis. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a granulosa cell tumor (GCT) with metastatic tumors in the coelomic fat bodies. Four months following oophorectomy and surgical removal of the distant metastasis, the snake was euthanized because of acute onset of lethargy, cardiomegaly, and dyspnea. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of metastatic tumors in the lung, liver and kidneys. Primary ovarian neoplasms are relatively rare in reptiles. Although GCTs have been documented in snakes, definitive diagnosis is typically determined through postmortem histopathological examination. The present case describes an suitable antemortem diagnostic approach of a malignant GCT in a mangrove snake with distant metastases.

An eight-year-old, female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was presented with anorexia, lethargy, a mass at the lower side of the wing and discoloration of the feathers. Physical examination showed an ulcerated nodular integumentary lesion of approximately 4 cm³ ventromedial on the wing at the side of the propatagium and the humerus. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs revealed only hepatomegaly. After a stabilization period, surgical excision of the tumor was performed. Based on histopathological evaluation and bacterial culture of the surgically removed tissue, the lesion was typed as an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma with secondary bacterial infection (Corynebacterium sp). Four weeks postoperative, the tumor had recurred. Chemotherapeutic treatment was started with intratumoral carboplatin (1.5 mg/cm³) once a week. Because of further tumor growth after the second administration of carboplatin, resection of the mass was performed before the next infiltration. However, the bird died during anesthesia. Despite increase in tumor size, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations showed degeneration of the tumor with intercellular edema and vacuolization of the tumor cells, presumably resulting from carboplatin administration. More research is needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the intratumoral administration of carboplatin as a treatment option in birds with integumentary squamous cell carcinoma.

We isolated Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, from liver granulomas of a pet green iguana (Iguana iguana) in Belgium. This case highlights a risk for imported green iguanas acting as a reservoir for introduction of this high-threat, zoonotic pathogen into nonendemic regions.

Neoplasieën van de pigmentcellen of chromatoforen bij reptielen worden naargelang hun oorsprong geclassificeerd als melanoforoma’s, iridoforoma’s, xantoforoma’s, erytroforoma’s of gemengde chromatoforoma’s. In tegenstelling tot wat oorspronkelijk verondersteld werd, komen deze primaire, cutane neoplasieën regelmatig voor bij in gevangenschap gehouden reptielen. Melanoforoma’s en iridoforoma’s worden het meest frequent vastgesteld. Een definitieve diagnose van chromatoforoma’s wordt bekomen door middel van histologisch onderzoek. Aanvullend is immunohistochemie of elektronenmicroscopie soms noodzakelijk om chromatoforoma’s onderling te differentiëren. Complete chirurgische excisie wordt beschouwd als de voorkeursbehandeling. Vanwege de uitgesproken maligniteit en neiging tot metastasering is de prognose van chromatoforoma’s bij reptielen over het algemeen echter sterk gereserveerd. Een vroegtijdige en correcte diagnose van deze neoplastische aandoening bij reptielen is daarom van primordiaal belang. In dit artikel wordt een overzicht gegeven van de huidige kennis omtrent het voorkomen, het biologisch gedrag, de pathogenese en de diagnostische en therapeutische benadering van chromatoforoma’s bij reptielen met de nadruk op melano- en iridoforoma’s.

Een Groenvleugelara (Ara chloropterus) werd aangeboden omwille van regurgitatie en de aanwezigheid van onverteerde zaden in de mest. Kliermaagdilatatie werd radiografisch vastgesteld. Contrastradiografie werd uitgevoerd en toonde aan dat de dilatatie van de kliermaag en de geassocieerde klinische symptomen het resultaat waren van een circulaire verdikking van de kliermaagwand met een ernstige vernauwing van het lumen van de kliermaag tot gevolg. Testen voor parrot bornavirus (PaBV) waren negatief. Twee weken na het opstarten van een antimicrobiele behandeling omwille van vermoedelijke bacteriele overgroei, verdwenen alle klinische symptomen. Een normaal uitzicht en een fysiologische afmeting van de kliermaag werden vastgesteld op basis van radiografieen die vier maanden na de initiele presentatie genomen werden. Bacteriele proventriculitis geassocieerd met hyperplasie van de kliermaagwand werd vooropgesteld als definitieve maar vermoedelijke diagnose. In deze casuistiek wordt het belang benadrukt om bacteriele proventriculitis te differentieren van andere oorzaken van kliermaagdilatatie bij ara’s.

Oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 438 live racing pigeons ( Columba livia), with and without signs of respiratory disease, that were housed in 220 lofts in 3 provinces in the western part of the Netherlands. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify Mycoplasma species and pigeon herpesvirus-1 (PHV-1) from the samples. In 8.6% of the pigeon lofts tested, signs of respiratory disease were present in pigeons at sampling, and in 30.9% of the sampled pigeon lofts, respiratory signs were observed in pigeons during the 6-month period immediately before sampling. A total of 39.8% of tested pigeons (54.5% of tested lofts) were positive for Mycoplasma species, and 30.6% of tested pigeons (48.6% of tested lofts) were positive for PHV-1. In 15.8% of the tested pigeons (26.8% of tested pigeon lofts), coinfection by Mycoplasma species and PHV-1 was identified. The number of pigeon lofts having pigeons coinfected by Mycoplasma species and PHV-1 was higher than that where only one of the infections was identified. Neither the presence of Mycoplasma species, PHV-1, nor the co-occurrence of both infections was significantly associated with signs of respiratory disease.

Net zoals bij andere diersoorten hebben stress en verminderd welzijn een negatief effect op de mentale status, gezondheid en op het gedrag van zowel in het wild als in gevangenschap levende slangen. Naast antropogene verstoring zijn de beschikbaarheid van voedsel en schuilplaatsen, de aanwezigheid van predatoren en omgevingscondities, zoals seizoenale en klimatologische veranderingen, de belangrijkste factoren die stress en welzijn van wilde slangenpopulaties beinvloeden. Bij in gevangenschap levende slangen is een ongeschikt management de meest prominente reden van chronische stress en verminderd welzijn. Chronische stress kan bepaald worden door gedragswijzigingen van de slang, maar een gestandaardiseerde kwantificatiemethode om (chronische) stresslevels accurater te bepalen, ontbreekt. Een biomerker die gebruikt kan worden, is het gehalte aan corticosterone in bloedplasma, feces en vervellingshuid.

Een vijf jaar oude, vrouwelijke Chinese zaagbekeend werd aangeboden met een chronische en wederkerende conjunctivitis van het linkeroog. Op klinisch onderzoek werden overvloedige traanvloei en een kazig nodulair letsel vastgesteld ter hoogte van de palpebrale conjunctiva. Bij autopsie werd een kazig, necrotisch beleg waargenomen ter hoogte van de linkerconjunctiva en de infraorbitale sinus, en er waren multipele granulomen in diverse interne organen aanwezig. Histologisch onderzoek toonde granulomateuze splenitis, hepatitis, arteritis, fibrinonecrotiserende enteritis, conjunctivitis en tevens amyloïdose van lever en milt aan. Bacteriologisch en moleculair onderzoek van de conjunctiva bij het levende dier toonde respectievelijk de aanwezigheid van een multiresistente Escherichia coli en Chlamydia psittaci aan. Deze bacteriën bleken van ondergeschikt pathogeen belang. Pre mortem werd echter geen cytologisch onderzoek of ziehlneelsen (ZN)-kleuring op de histologische coupe van het conjunctivabiopt uitgevoerd. Bovendien werden pre mortem geen bijkomende onderzoeken, zoals bloedonderzoek en radiografie, uitgevoerd. De definitieve diagnose van een Mycobacterium avium-infectie ter hoogte van de conjunctiva en de inwendige organen werd pas bevestigd na autopsie door middel van een ZNkleuring en polymerasekettingreactie (PCR)- analyse. Lokale en systemische behandelingen met antimicrobiële producten, zoals fluoroquinolonen, tetracyclinen en aminoglycosiden, waren niet succesvol.

Via echografisch onderzoek werd de aanwezigheid van drie intracoelomale, ovoïde massa’s en een nodulair aspect van de lever aangetoond bij een drie jaar oude, mannelijke baardagame (Pogona vitticeps) met anorexie. Het histologisch onderzoek van de operatief verwijderde massa’s en een leverbiopt onthulden de aanwezigheid van neoplastische cellen van neuro-endocriene oorsprong. Via gastroscopisch onderzoek werd een ulceratief letsel in de maag aangetoond. Op basis van deze bevindingen werd er bij de baardagame een vermoedelijke diagnose van een neuro-endocrien carcinoom met uitgebreide metastasen gesteld. Deze diagnose werd bevestigd door autopsie en histologische onderzoeken. Met deze casusbeschrijving willen de auteurs het gastrische, neuro-endocriene carcinoom, een vermoedelijk sterk ondergediagnosticeerde, neoplastische aandoening bij baardagamen, onder de aandacht brengen.

Animals using toxic peptides and proteins for predation or defense typically depend on specialized morphological structures, like fangs, spines, or a stinger, for effective intoxication. Here we show that amphibian poisons instead incorporate their own molecular system for toxin delivery to attacking predators. Skin-secreted peptides, generally considered part of the amphibian immune system, permeabilize oral epithelial tissue and enable fast access of cosecreted toxins to the predator’s bloodstream and organs. This absorption-enhancing system exists in at least three distantly related frog lineages and is likely to be a widespread adaptation, determining the outcome of predator–prey encounters in hundreds of species., To avoid being eaten, poisonous prey animals must rely on fast passage of toxins across a predator’s oral tissue, a major barrier to large molecules. Here, Raaymakers et al. show that antimicrobial peptides co secreted with frog toxins enhance intoxication of a snake predator by permeabilizing oral cell layers.

In deze casus wordt de succesvolle behandeling beschreven van een traumatische mid-diafysaire femurfractuur met behulp van een type I “tie-in-fixator” bij een kookaburra. Een vijf maanden oude, in gevangenschap gehouden kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) werd aangeboden met trauma ten gevolge van interspecies-agressie. Op basis van klinisch en radiografisch onderzoek werd de aanwezigheid van een gesloten, multipele, dwarse tot spiraalvormige, mid-diafysaire femurfractuur vastgesteld. Na reductie van de fractuur werd stabilisatie bekomen door het toepassen van een type I tie-in-fixator bestaande uit een combinatie van een intramedullaire (IM) pin en een externe skeletale fixator. Postoperatieve radiografische opnamen bevestigden een optimale reductie van de fractuur en een correcte plaatsing van het osteosynthesemateriaal. Postoperatief trad er een vlotte recovery op en werden er onmiddellijk een goede steunname en normale belasting van de aangetaste poot waargenomen. Hoewel de externe fixatie een week later door de vogel verwijderd werd, bleek er nog steeds goede stabilisatie aanwezig te zijn en bleef de functionaliteit van de aangetaste poot behouden. Twee weken postoperatief bevestigden controleradiografieën fractuurheling die gekarakteriseerd werd door lichte callusvorming en een startende overbrugging van de cortices. Op basis van de klinische en radiografische bevindingen werd besloten om de IM-pin op dat ogenblik te verwijderen. Tijdens een opvolgingsperiode van drie maanden vertoonde de kookaburra volledig herstel.

Objective To describe diagnostic findings, surgical technique, and outcome in 3 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) with a history of paraparesis. Study Design Case series. Animals Skunks (n = 3) with paraparesis. Methods Neurologic examination revealed upper motor neuron disease (T2–L2) in 2 skunks and lower motor neuron disease (L3–S3) in 1 skunk. Diagnostic imaging included radiography, myelography, CT, and MRI and confirmed intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) in each skunk. Because initial treatment with pain medication and cage rest did not result in lasting improvement, spinal surgery was performed. Results Hemilaminectomy (2 skunks) and dorsal laminectomy (1 skunk) was performed with removal of extruded disk material. The skunks improved after surgery but all had minor residual neurologic deficits when examined at various times postoperatively. Conclusion Thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation occurs in skunks, and must be included in the differential diagnosis of paraparesis.

The present case report documents acute ramson (Allium ursinum) toxicosis in tortoises. A group of four captive tortoises, including one Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) and three African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata), was fed a large quantity of ramson foliage. Approximately 12 hr later, the giant tortoise and two spurred tortoises developed acute and pronounced lethargy, anorexia, and palor of the oral and conjunctival mucosae. The remaining spurred tortoise showed palor of the oral mucosa but did not display other clinical signs. At initial presentation, approximately 24 hr after being fed with ramson, one spurred tortoise had died, and supportive care as well as the administration of activated charcoal was initiated in the remaining tortoises. While the giant tortoise died 5 days following initial presentation, the other two tortoises recovered. Gross pathological, histopathological, blood biochemistry, and hematological findings largely supported what has been documented in other species with Allium sp. toxicosis. Heinz bodies, however, do not seem to be a consistent finding in the blood of tortoises fed with ramson. Although the development of toxicosis due to the ingestion of ramson in tortoises seems to be dose dependent based on the present report, clinical practitioners and reptile pet owners should be aware of the potential detrimental effects of feeding this herb to tortoises. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of toxicosis caused by an Allium sp. in reptiles.

Neoplastic disorders are frequently encountered in the practice of reptile medicine. Herein we report the clinical behavior, antemortem diagnosis, and histopathologic characteristics of a recurrent intraoral keratinizing basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and a metastatic BCC of the carapace in 2 Hermann’s tortoises ( Testudo hermanni). Although squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in tortoises show similar predilection sites and gross pathologic features, the BCCs described in our report were characterized by a remarkably fast and highly infiltrative growth in comparison to SCCs. Accordingly, early diagnosis including reliable discrimination from SCC is essential toward the management of this neoplastic entity in tortoises.

Dermatitis is een van de meest frequent voorkomende aandoeningen bij in gevangenschap gehouden hagedissen. In dit overzicht worden twee infectieuze huidaandoeningen bij hagedissen in het bijzonder belicht: Devrieseasis en dermatomycose ten gevolge van infectie met het Chrysosporium anamorph van Nannizziopsis vriesii. Er wordt hierbij aandacht besteed aan de etiologie, diagnose, behandeling en preventie.

Lizards with dermatological disease are routinely encountered in veterinary practice and it is often challenging to establish a thorough and adequate case management for these otherwise highly visible conditions. Most skin diseases in lizards are primarily a consequence of environmental stressors such as substandard husbandry and underlying disease, facilitating the onset of mainly secondary bacterial and mycotic dermal infections. This review provides an overview of common dermatological problems in lizards and aetiology, treatment and prevention are discussed for both infectious and non-infectious conditions. Although investigational approaches may be directed by the primary clinical manifestation of dermatological problems, the importance of a multidirectional approach cannot be over-emphasized. Proper treatment can only be initiated when the correct diagnosis has been made and husbandry issues dealt with. Current information on susceptibility patterns and on the use of appropriate chemotherapeutics in lizards is limited for the treatment of infectious causes of dermatitis.

Aims: Devriesea agamarum infection causes chronic proliferative dermatitis, especially in desert dwelling lizards. The present study was concerned with evaluating persistency of D. agamarum in the environment and the evaluation of the efficacy of various disinfection procedures. Methods and Results: First, the survival of D. agamarum was assessed both in dermal crusts obtained from clinically and naturally infected lizards, and during periods of prolonged nutrient starvation on dry surface, in moist sand and in distilled water. Secondly, a modified European Suspension Test was performed to determine the efficacy of eight procedures for the disinfection of equipment, environmental surfaces and the topical treatment of D. agamarum-associated dermal lesions. The bacterium proved to persist and remain viable for up to 57 days in dermal crusts and for more than 5 months in moist sand and distilled water. In contrast, survival on dry surfaces was limited. The results of the described dilution-neutralization method demonstrated that most of the tested disinfection procedures were sufficient in achieving a 5-decimal logarithmic reduction in the number of D. agamarum colony-forming units. The use of relatively low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and a boric and peracetic acid solution on the other hand resulted in insufficient reduction in viable counts. Conclusions: Devriesea agamarum can persist for long periods of time in the environment, especially under moist conditions, making the use of suitable disinfection procedures necessary. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study demonstrates the need for a dry environment for most desert lizards and the use of effective disinfection procedures next to antimicrobial treatment to eliminate D. agamarum-associated disease from captive saurian collections.

An 11-year-old, male North African spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura) was presented with hyperkeratotic cheilitis. Based on clinical examination, histology and microbiological testing, Devriesea agamarum was identified as the causative agent of the dermal disorder. Moreover, an abundant culture of D. agamarum was obtained following sampling of the oral cavity. Cheilitis was present for three years in the spiny-tailed lizard and during the first year of that period the lizard was housed together with an ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus), an Algerian orange-tailed skink (Eumeces algeriensis) and a female U. acanthinura. The latter lizard showed signs of chronic dermatitis and had deceased approximately 2.5 years prior to initial presentation of the male dab lizard because of renal failure. The other cohabiting lizards showed no dermal lesions and D. agamarum could not be demonstrated following dermal, cloacal and oral sampling. Recurrence of the bacterial skin infection was observed following a first antimicrobial treatment. This was considered to result from failure to eliminate the bacterium from the treated dab lizard or re-infection from the environment or asymptomatic carriers. A second treatment, including disinfection of the enclosure with house-hold bleach 0.1%, weekly mechanical debridement of the crusty lesion and treatment with ceftazidime at 20 mg/kg intramuscularly every 72 hours for 57 days resulted in resolution of the skin lesions, elimination of D. agamarum from the oral cavity based on repetitive microbiological sampling and no recurrence of the lesions during a 31 month follow up period. The present case is the first report of devrieseasis in Spain and highlights the importance of a multidirectional diagnostic and therapeutic approach towards controlling devrieseasis in captive lizard collections. Several disease aspects such as persistency are discussed in the light of the contemporary available literature.Keywords: Cheilitis, Dermatitis, Devriesea agamarum, Uromastyx acanthinura.

A 5-year-old lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) was presented with scaly crusts around both external ear openings and exudate present around the left ear. The bird had been treated with ivermectin and enrofloxacin without success. A pure culture of Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii was isolated from both ears. After susceptibility testing, a treatment of an acetic and boric acid solution administered topically 3 times daily was prescribed. The scaly appearance disappeared after 14 days of treatment and C kroppenstedtii could not be reisolated.

A juvenile racing pigeon ( Columba livia ) was presented with drooping of the wing and inability to fly. On physical examination, the right shoulder joint was swollen. The pigeon was euthanatized and submitted for necropsy. An excessive amount of fibrin was present in the canalis triosseus with severe arthritis of the affected shoulder joint. A pure growth of Mycoplasma-like colonies was obtained on microbiological culture of the shoulder joint. A 16S ribosomal RNA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction assay was performed on the isolate and revealed 100% similarity with Mycoplasma columbinum . Although infectious arthritis in homing pigeons is primarily associated with paratyphoid and Streptococcus gallolyticus infection, clinical practitioners should consider the potential role of Mycoplasma columbinum in arthritis in pigeons.

Two 1-year old Roulroul partridges (Rollulus rouloul), one male and one female, were presented because of eye problems and anorexia. Twenty of the 30 Roulroul partridges in the owner's collection had already died. The affected birds stopped eating, became thinner, and eventually died. Antibiotic treatment, which started because of the suspicion of a septicaemic process, was unsuccessful. At clinical examination of the two partridges it was found that in both birds, one eye ball was filled with a whitish yellow amorphous material and the other eye ball of the female showed a distinct corneal opacity. Both presented birds were euthanized. Necropsy revealed no significant abnormalities in addition to the eye lesions. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the female's eye revealed an infiltrate of T-lymphocytes corresponding to ocular lymphoma. Herpesvirus genus-specific PCR, followed by Sanger sequencing confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of Marek's disease in both birds. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of infection with Gallid Herpesvirus 2 (Marek's disease virus) in partridges and the first case in this specific species.

Aviair bornavirus (ABV) is het primaire etiologische agens dat het kliermaagdilatatiesyndroom (KDS) veroorzaakt bij psittaciformen. In tegenstelling tot wat oorspronkelijk over KDS verondersteld werd, blijkt ABV-infectie algemeen voor te komen bij psittaciformen en niet steeds aanleiding te geven tot klinische ziekte. In dit artikel wordt een overzicht gegeven van de huidige kennis van ABV. De diagnose, behandeling en het onder controle houden van KDS bij psittaciformen worden beschreven. Het stellen van een ante-mortemdiagnose van ABV als oorzaak van KDS vormt een uitdaging. Voornamelijk het correleren van de ABV-status aan het waargenomen klinische beeld is niet steeds vanzelfsprekend. De nood aan betere diagnostische methoden met een hoge sensitiviteit en specificiteit om ABV-infectie te detecteren, dringt zich dan ook op.

A captive bred red tail boa ( Boa constrictor constrictor) was presented with a large intraoral mass originating from the buccal gingiva, attached to the right dentary teeth row. Based on the clinical features and histological examination, the diagnosis of a peripheral odontogenic fibromyxoma was made. Sections of liver biopsies and circulating lymphocytes contained relatively few eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, indistinguishable from those observed in inclusion body disease–affected snakes. Inclusion bodies were not observed in cells comprising the neoplastic mass. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), arenavirus was detected in the neoplastic tissue. Two years after surgical removal of the mass, recurrence of the neoplastic lesion was observed. Numerous large inclusion body disease inclusions were abundantly present in the neoplastic cells of the recurrent fibromyxoma. Sections of liver biopsies and circulating lymphocytes contained relatively few intracytoplasmic inclusions. The RT-PCR revealed the presence of arenavirus in blood, a liver biopsy, and neoplastic tissue. The present case describes the co-occurrence of an arenavirus infection and an odontogenic fibromyxoma in a red tail boa.

The keeping of exotic pets is currently under debate and governments of several countries are increasingly exploring the regulation, or even the banning, of exotic pet keeping. Major concerns are issues of public health and safety, animal welfare and biodiversity conservation. The keeping of reptiles and amphibians in captivity encompasses all the potential issues identified with keeping exotic pets, and many of those relating to traditional domestic pets. Within the context of risks posed by pets in general, the authors argue for the responsible and sustainable keeping of reptile and amphibian pets by private persons, based on scientific evidence and on the authors' own expertise (veterinary medicine, captive husbandry, conservation biology).

Devrieseasis caused by Devriesea agamarum is a highly prevalent disease in captive desert lizards, resulting in severe dermatitis and in some cases mass mortality. In this study, we assessed the contribution of autovaccination to devrieseasis control by evaluating the capacity of 5 different formalin-inactivated D. agamarum vaccines to induce a humoral immune response in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Each vaccine contained one of the following adjuvants: CpG, incomplete Freund's, Ribi, aluminium hydroxide, or curdlan. Lizards were administrated one of the vaccines through subcutaneous injection and booster vaccination was given 3 weeks after primo-vaccination. An indirect ELISA was developed and used to monitor lizard serological responses. Localized adverse effects following subcutaneous immunization were observed in all but the Ribi adjuvanted vaccine group. Following homologous experimental challenge, the incomplete Freund's as well as the Ribi vaccine were observed to confer protection in bearded dragons against the development of D. agamarum associated septicemia but not against dermatitis. Subsequently, two-dimensional gelelectrophoresis followed by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry was conducted with serum obtained from 3 lizards that showed seroconversion after immunisation with the Ribi vaccine. Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase and aldo-keto reductase of D. agamarum reacted with serum from the latter lizards. Based on the demonstrated seroconversion and partial protection against D. agamarum associated disease following the use of formalin-inactivated vaccines as well as the identification of target antigens in Ribi vaccinated bearded dragons, this study provides promising information towards the development of a vaccination strategy to control devrieseasis in captive lizard collections.

Snakes and lizards are considered 'stoic' animals and often show only non-specific signs of illness. Consequently, diagnostic imaging--along with clinical examination and laboratory tests--is gaining importance in making a final diagnosis and establishing a correct therapy. The large number of captive snake and lizard species commonly kept as pets, together with the high inter- and intraspecific morphological variability that is innate in these animals, make the analysis of diagnostic images challenging for the veterinary practitioner. Moreover, a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the species that are the object of clinical investigation is mandatory for the correct interpretation of diagnostic images. Despite the large amount of clinical and scientific work carried out in the past two decades, the radiographic features of snakes and lizards have not undergone systematic description, and therefore veterinarians often have to rely mostly on anatomical studies rather than radiological literature. The aim of this paper is to review the most commonly used diagnostic imaging modalities, as well as to provide an overview of the available international original studies and scientific reviews describing the normal and pathological imaging features in snakes and lizards.