A 6-year-old male veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) was presented for mass removal on the right mandible. Histopathology revealed an iridophoroma, a subclassification of chromatophoromas. Several months later the chameleon was euthanized and the necropsy, combined with histopathology, indicated metastasis of a mixed chromatophoroma within the skin and to the lungs and testicle. The tumor was further subclassified as a mixed iridophoroma and xanthophoroma based on ultrastructure. Other pathologic findings included marked hepatic fibrosis and severe biliary hyperplasia and severe bilateral cystic glomerulopathy. This case demonstrates the malignant potential of chromatophoromas in chameleons and highlights the need for ultrastructural examination of these tumors for proper subclassification.

An 11-yr-old Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii) was presented with neurologic signs progressing from head bobbing to circling and incoordination. Postmortem and histologic evaluations demonstrated the presence of a cerebral xanthoma, a large cholesterol granuloma expanding the leptomeninges. The nodule in the cerebral cortex consisted of arrays of cholesterol clefts surrounded by foamy vacuolated macrophages. The factors leading to focal cerebral xanthomatosis are unclear, and the relationship between trauma, dietary lipid composition, hypercholesterolemia, and xanthomas in amphibians requires further investigation.

While commonly employed by the agricultural and horticultural industries, biological control has rarely been utilized in herpetological husbandry to treat infectious or parasitic diseases. This case study describes the use of the predatory soil mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus to treat parasitic mite infestations in two adult inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Stratiolaelaps scimitus applied directly to the existing terrarium substrate appeared to have eliminated all traces of parasitic mite infestation in both lizards within 5 days. These results, although preliminary, highlight the potential utility of predatory mites and other biological control agents in the husbandry and veterinary management of reptiles in captivity.

Leptospira spp. are zoonotic pathogens that may affect a variety of vertebrates. While they are typically associated with mammals, there are also reports of reptiles being exposed and infected with these spirochetes. To date, reports of this disease in wild chelonians suggest that exposure is not common; however, most of the reports evaluating this pathogen in reptiles are from outside of the United States. The purpose of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) found in an urban setting (DuPage County, Illinois). Serum samples from 29 adult (2 males, 27 females) and four subadult turtles were screened for the presence of Leptospira spp. antibodies against seven serovars common to Illinois using the microagglutination test (MAT). The seroprevalence in this study population was 93.5% (95% confidence intervals: 84.8–100). The high seroprevalence was unexpected based on previous reports in chelonians; however, pathogenic Leptospira interrogans had been reported in an area adjacent to the field site where the Blanding's turtles were captured. Because the MAT only characterizes exposure, it was not possible to determine if the turtles were infected or at risk of transmitting the pathogen. The findings did confirm that the pathogen was present in the habitat of these turtles. The results of this study suggest that Blanding's turtles may be useful as sentinels for characterizing the presence of Leptospira spp. in habitats throughout their range, but further research is needed to determine the role of these animals in the epidemiology of Leptospira spp.

The bacterial flora of clinically healthy reptiles can be extremely diverse. The objectives of this study were to determine the bacterial flora in oral swabs from two different species of water turtles and to study growth characteristics and antibiotic resistance of these isolates. Oral swabs were collected from 20 clinically healthy common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) and 20 West African mud turtles (Pelusios castaneus) and incubated at two different temperatures (25 and 37°C; 77.0 and 98.6°F) on various agar plates. All isolates were tested for susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics. A total of 66 distinct bacterial types were collected, 63 (95.45%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 90–100) of which were Gram negative and 3 (4.55%, 95% CI: 0–27) of which were Gram positive. The most commonly isolated genera were Citrobacter spp. (in 97.5% of the animals tested, 95% CI: 93–100), Aeromonas spp. (in 92.5% of the animals tested, 95% CI: 84–100), Chryseobacterium spp. (in 80% of the animals tested, 95% CI: 68–92), and Salmonella spp. (in 80% of the animals tested, 95% CI: 68–92). The most commonly isolated bacterium was Aeromonas hydrophila (77.5%, 95% CI: 65–90). The oral bacterial flora of all of the examined animals consisted of a wide mixture of bacteria, many of which were potential pathogens. The combination of bacteria detected differed between individual animals. Incubation at 25 and 37°C led to the detection of distinct populations of bacteria. The resistance testing showed that many of the bacteria detected were resistant to a wide range of antibiotics.

Oral swabs collected from 10 freshly captured reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus) from mainland Singapore were cultured for bacteria using aerobic and anaerobic techniques. The samples were collected over a 3 month period. All of the oral swabs had positive bacterial cultures, with a majority of swabs yielding multiple organisms. Gram-negative organisms were isolated from 80% (8/10) of the snakes' oral cavities. The most-common organisms isolated were Pseudomonas spp. (50%) and Staphylococcus sciuri (40%), both of which are known human pathogens. The results are discussed in the context of the existing literature.

Fluid administration via the intraosseous route in Testudines at the carapacial bridge is advocated by some authors as an efficient method for replenishing fluids, whereas others advise against its use. The authors estimated the flow rates and distribution of fluids administered intraosseously to five adult male Chelonoidis denticulata with anatomically normal shells. The caudal aspect of the bridge of the carapace, immediately cranial to the rear limbs, was used as the site for catheter placement because it was considered the best candidate site to inject fluids and radiographic positive contrast. The technique was successful in two (40%) of the tortoises. Flow rates were more than sufficient to rehydrate the reptiles, with fluids entering the main circulation. The technique was ineffective in three (60%) of the tortoises, with fluids entering the coelomic cavity or not being able to be injected. Based on this pilot study, it was determined that this technique is highly prone to failure in the species of tortoises used in this study when they are >3 kg in weight because of the anatomical differences between individuals and the associated bridge bone drilling difficulties.

This cross-sectional study characterized the prevalence of enteritis associated with Serpinema microcephalus infections in the intestinal tracts of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans), river cooters (Pseudemys concinna), false map turtles (Graptemys pseudogeographica), and Chinese stripe-necked turtles (Ocadia sinensis) in Spain. All four species (three American, one Asiatic) were introduced into Spain through the pet trade. S. microcephalus is an Old World nematode that has been found to parasitize both invasive and native turtles. This parasite causes a significant inflammatory reaction in the intestines of exotic turtles that is not usually seen in native species. Parasites were detected in 27/70 turtles examined (38.6%; 95% confidence interval: 27.2–51%). Total worm counts ranged from 5 to 21. The nematodes were always found in the enteric mucosa of the duodenum and jejunum. The lesions in the turtles varied but included catarrhal to ulcerative enteritis and secondary hemorrhage surrounding the parasitized areas.