Whether you’re caring for a ball python or bearded dragon, pet reptiles come with unique conditions that you must be aware of. While most pets experience the odd strain or scrape, reptiles are prone to skin issues that can have dire consequences. The good news is that many dermal diseases can be prevented with the right husbandry and efficient treatment. To help you provide your pet reptile with the best possible care, this guide explores the five skin problems in pet reptiles and how to treat them.
1. Scale Rot: A Common Skin Disease
Scale rot is one of the most common skin diseases in pet reptiles, and it results from inflammation. Lizards and snakes are mostly affected by scale rot, with mild cases caused by improper environmental conditions. Poor temperature and humidity regulation will affect reptiles’ health by impacting their immune systems. In the wild, reptiles can move into the sun to bask or escape moisture by moving to a different environment. But when humidity is high and temperatures are low inside the tank, the enclosed space maintains excess moisture, allowing bacteria and fungi to thrive.
The symptoms of this disease include dark patches (particularly close to the tail), raised scales, and small blisters. In severe cases, the blisters can open, and bacteria will infect the tissue, creating pus. If the bacteria get into the animal’s bloodstream, it can cause septicemia, which is fatal. When you notice scale rot, clean the enclosure and check temperature and humidity levels. Reptiles require veterinary treatment, including species-specific antibiotics. Don’t delay in getting your pet reptile assessed and treated, especially in advanced cases.
2. Abscesses Can Burst and Cause Open Wounds
An abscess is a pocket of pus that will continue to swell if not drained and treated with antibiotics. It’s usually caused by skin injuries that allow bacteria in. While it certainly isn’t pleasant to deal with an abscess, it is a common problem that can be addressed with veterinary care. If these pockets are left untreated, they can burst and leave a large, gaping wound leading to secondary problems.
To avoid further complications, a reptile vet will open and flush the wound and prescribe antibiotics to control the spread of infection. To help your snake, lizard, or tortoise, thoroughly clean their environment to remove bacteria. In most instances, the formation of an abscess in a reptile results from poor husbandry. Failing to control moisture, improper cleaning, and stress affecting the reptile’s immunity will increase their risk of developing an abscess.
3. Parasites Can Cause Discomfort in Reptiles
You may believe that parasites aren’t a problem for pet reptiles that remain isolated in your home, but think again. Reptiles that live in less-than-ideal conditions are prone to being attacked by ectoparasites, or organisms that live on their skin. A dirty enclosure and excess moisture allow these parasites to grow in number, and eventually, your scaly companion bears the brunt. The most common parasites to affect the health of snakes and lizards are mites and ticks. Ticks are easy to identify and can be carefully removed with a pair of tweezers, but mites are invaders and require a more vigorous approach. A mite infection causes roughness, difficulty shedding, and thickening of the skin known as hyperkeratosis.
To get rid of reptile parasites, you must address overcrowded enclosures and disinfect your pets’ habitats. Use reptile-friendly products that target mites and pests to wash and fumigate the enclosure. Ensure that the tank is clear of fumes before reintroducing the animal to its home. Secondly, you’ll need to treat the reptile. You can purchase over-the-counter washes from your local pet store that target mites and ectoparasites, or you can create a betadine bath. Once you’ve washed or sprayed your pet reptile, apply antimicrobial ointment or spray to irritated areas on their skin. This will soothe bites and prevent infection. Lastly, check the temperature and humidity to avoid further problems.
4. Dysecdysis Could Cause Difficulty Shedding
When you notice that your snake or lizard isn’t shedding the way it should, it could be a case of dysecdysis. The skin problem is caused by a possible bacterial infection or a disease impacting the animal’s immune system. Needless to say, difficulty shedding requires attention, including a look at the enclosure’s condition and the overall health of the reptile. Incorrect temperature and humidity levels, along with an imbalanced diet, are responsible for shedding issues in reptiles. In some cases, a dermal bacterial infection can also lead to poor shedding patterns.
Always start by checking the lights, heat, and humidity in the tank. Are the levels appropriate for the particular reptile species, and do you have too much moisture building up inside the enclosure? These questions can help you identify environmental issues that are contributing to the problem, which are easy to rectify. A reptile suffering from dysecdysis should be placed in lukewarm water for a few minutes to soften the skin. Dry them with a soft cloth and gently remove excess skin, but do not tug on skin that does not come off easily. Have your scaly companion examined by a veterinarian to identify any bacterial infections or underlying health conditions causing the shedding issues.
5. Reptiles Can Give Dermatophytosis to People
Dermatophytosis, or ringworm, is a fungal skin infection affecting all pet reptiles, from tiny leopard geckos to larger iguanas and snakes. Trauma to the soft tissues is usually the cause of this painful condition, as wounds allow the fungus to enter the skin’s barrier. Symptoms include crusting, skin color changes, lesions, and abscesses.
In tortoises with infected shells, a veterinarian will remove the damaged parts and treat the exposed tissue with antiseptic products. Ringworm is highly contagious and can pass from animals to people. Handle pet reptiles with gloves and isolate them to prevent passing the infection on to other pets and people. Treatment involves antifungal medication and topical applications to address scaly and sensitive skin. If your pet reptile has a fungal skin infection, it’ll need veterinary attention.
Skin conditions in reptiles are quite common and can easily be avoided with scheduled tank cleaning and maintenance of the correct parameters. High humidity is a major cause of bacterial skin problems in reptiles in addition to malnutrition and overcrowding.
