PREVENTATIVE HEALTH

IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH

It is important to practice preventative health because in many cases there may be no external signs of disease until it has already developed and, in the cases of infectious diseases, been transmitted further (Miller 1996).

ACTIONS

KEEPERS

The keepers are responsible for carrying out daily checks on their animals' health (EAZA 2014). It is the keepers that see the same animals every day, this means they are most likely to note any changes in the animals' health and are then able to relay the symptoms to the veterinarian to get a diagnosis and treatment if necessary (EAZA 2014).

CURATORS

Curators are responsible for monitoring health situations in both their own collection, and the collections with which they associate. They also work with the veterinarian to formulate the veterinary plan for their animals and see that it is carried out effectively (AAZV 2016).

VETERINARIANS

Veterinarians are responsible for keeping up to date on zoonoses that could potentially be introduced to the collection by members of the public, testing of animals for diseases based on their history with disease (AZA 2018). This is particularly true when the reptiles are kept in only semi-enclosed spaces where the public can make some level of contact, even if it is only by breathing the same air.

They must also have knowledge of the zoonoses that may be introduced to the collection so that they are able to advise other members of staff such as keepers and human resources who can more efficiently convey the details on safety to anyone further who may be at risk of making contact with the disease (AZA 2016).

PREVENTATIVE REGIME FOR STAFF

Initially, any animal entering a zoo will be expected to be fully examined for any immediately identifiable diseases or injuries (AAZV 2016). The animals would be quarantined, or at minimum, isolated from the rest of the collection for a period to allow time to ensure that the animal is not bringing any transmissible diseases with it (Miller 1996). The relevant staff will remain vigilant and aware of any emerging diseases in the area around their collection so that they may take precautions against any that threaten their animals (AAZV 2016).

Depending on the species in the collection, and the diseases that could potentially afflict them, veterinarians may decide that it is suitable to immunise the vulnerable animals. Regular faecal samples should be collected and examined for parasites (AAZV 2016).

If any animals should incur a fatality, particularly whilst in quarantine, they should undergo a full necropsy to identify whether other animals could be at risk too (AAZV 2016).

ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Zoonoses are diseases that are capable of being passed on from animals to humans which may not manifest symptoms in the animals, but are potentially devastating to humans that come into contact with them (Hugh-Jones et al., 2008).

Table 2 outlines three zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted by reptiles, their methods of infection, symptoms in both reptiles and humans and how to avoid them spreading.

NON-ZOONOTIC ISSUES

In addition to zoonotic diseases, reptiles can be sensitive to dietary imbalances which can primarily impact upon their skeletal structure and gastrointestinal tracts.

Table 3 outlines the symptoms, causes and treatments of two of the most common health issues in captive reptiles.

Although cases of parasites in iguana are rare, a case of the lizard scale mite Hiristella stamii was reported by Corn et al. (2011). This however, was only in a single individual that was wild-caught.

Quarantine

It is a requirement that reptiles are kept in a quarantine zone for at least 30 days before they are introduced to an existing collection. If a new animal is brought into the same quarantine as another, the 30 days is reset (Miller 1996). If there is not a quarantine area available in a collection then the animal must remain isolated from the existing members of the collection (AZA 2007, 2018). Quarantine zones must be of suitable size and complexity for the held species (AZA 2018) and allow opportunity for enrichment to maintain natural behaviours (AZA 2007). The equipment used to tend to animals in quarantine should be used only for those animals and the keeper whose responsibility it is to care for quarantined animals should come to them only after having tended to the rest of the collection for that day (AZA 2007). Physical contact with animals in quarantine should also be minimised to avoid the spread of zoonoses.

It is recommended that veterinarians perform a complete examination of quarantined reptiles to maximise confidence in the health of the animal, including blood tests and, in the event of death, they should also perform a full post-mortem to identify the cause (AZA 2007). If disease is present, faecal or other relevant samples should be taken regularly to monitor the effectiveness of any treatment prescribed by the veterinarian, with negative results spaced at least two weeks apart being the all-clear for introducing into the main collection. Every animal must also be checked and treated for ectoparasites (AZA 2007).

PREVENTATIVE HEALTH

IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH

IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH

ACTIONS

KEEPERS

CURATORS

VETERINARIANS

PREVENTATIVE REGIME FOR STAFF

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Depending on the species in the collection, and the diseases that could potentially afflict them, veterinarians may decide that it is suitable to immunise the vulnerable animals. Regular faecal samples should be collected and examined for parasites (AAZV 2016).

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If any animals should incur a fatality, particularly whilst in quarantine, they should undergo a full necropsy to identify whether other animals could be at risk too (AAZV 2016).

ZOONOTIC DISEASES

NON-ZOONOTIC ISSUES

In addition to zoonotic diseases, reptiles can be sensitive to dietary imbalances which can primarily impact upon their skeletal structure and gastrointestinal tracts.

​

Table 3 outlines the symptoms, causes and treatments of two of the most common health issues in captive reptiles.

Although cases of parasites in iguana are rare, a case of the lizard scale mite Hiristella stamii was reported by Corn et al. (2011). This however, was only in a single individual that was wild-caught.

Quarantine

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