The eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is a colorful, common lizard found in the pet trade in the United States and Europe. As the popularity for the captive-bred collared lizard increases, reptile veterinarians should become more familiar with this native lizard species to best assist owners in providing appropriate husbandry, diet, and reproduction information. Recommended enclosures, lighting, temperature, shelter, and diet based on age are reviewed. We have also included comments regarding reproduction of collared lizards, including brumation, breeding and nesting, and recommended incubation methods. The few diseases currently reported for this genus, and a client care sheet, are also provided.

A 10-yr-old intact blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) of unknown sex presented for epistaxis and dyspnea. On physical examination, dysecdysis, necrosis of the tip of the tail, and a pink discoloration of the proximal third of the tongue were noted in addition to epistaxis, dyspnea, and tachypnea. Clinical pathology findings included marked polychromatophilia, moderate heterophilia with signs of toxicity, a regenerative left shift, and moderate hyperglycemia. Because of the suspicion of an infectious etiology, antibiotics were prescribed. Meloxicam was also administered without clinical improvement. Swelling of the pharyngeal area was noted on whole-body computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging. Oro-pharyngeal endoscopic-guided biopsies were performed under general anesthesia. Histology was consistent with moderate erosion and goblet cell hyperplasia. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentration was 768 nmol/L and was interpreted as possible vitamin D toxicosis. Prednisolone was prescribed to enhance calciuresis and treat potential vasculitis, but the skink was ultimately euthanized. Histopathologic examination was consistent with vitamin D toxicosis. The diet of this skink mostly consisted of greens dusted with a supplement containing calcium and vitamin D₃. This case report describes the challenges associated with antemortem diagnosis of a vitamin D toxicosis, even with current imaging techniques. It highlights that specific reference intervals should be established for 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ and ionized calcium concentrations in various reptile species. Clinicians presented with a blue-tongued skink displaying a pink tongue or tail necrosis should consider vitamin D toxicosis in their differential diagnosis.

An 8-yr-old male bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented with lethargy, inappetence, and skin discoloration. Dorsoventral whole body radiographs revealed a homogenous left coelomic mass. A complete blood count revealed leukocytosis and monocytosis, while the plasma biochemistry revealed hypercalcemia, elevated lactate, and elevated creatinine. Coelomic ultrasonography was performed to further characterize the mass before surgical exploration and removal. Ultrasonography revealed a hyperechoic mass that was vascular with a hypoechoic, avascular center consistent with fluid accumulation. An exploratory coeliotomy was performed and the left fat body containing the mass was removed en bloc for histopathologic evaluation. Oil Red O staining confirmed a diagnosis of liposarcoma. Continued decline after discharge prompted a decision to euthanize the patient. Unfortunately, a necropsy was not elected.

Over a 3-month period, a 6-yr-old, wild-caught, northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) presented for reoccurring cloacal prolapse, despite surgical correction. Two contrast radiographic series performed approximately 6 wk apart showed intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal dysmotility, while exploratory coeliotomy revealed a minor intestinal intussusception. Approximately 6 months after the fourth and final prolapse had resolved, the animal died of natural causes. Necropsy examination exposed a large, ill-defined thickening of the distal intestinal wall, with proximal intestinal dilation. Histopathology revealed a mass composed of polygonal cells, with occasional intracytoplasmic mucin arranged in sheets, and poorly formed acini, consistent with an intestinal adenocarcinoma. A presumptive metastatic lesion was identified in the kidney (microscopically). Herpesvirus-specific consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR assays performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded intestinal and kidney masses for ranid herpesvirus 1 were negative. Few reports of intestinal adenocarcinoma in amphibians exist in the literature. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first report of spontaneous intestinal adenocarcinoma in a northern leopard frog.

Between 2015 and 2016, 16 adult Solomon Island leaf frogs (Ceratobatrachus guentheri) were evaluated at a zoological institution for proliferative epidermal lesions on the head, and occasionally the dorsum and limbs. In most cases, the lesions were severe enough that they could not be surgically resected. Five frogs were diagnosed histologically with proliferative epidermal lesions consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Polymerase chain reaction for herpesvirus, papillomavirus, and chytridiomycosis yielded negative results. Transmission electron microscopy and virus isolation of two masses did not identify a virus. Although no specific etiology could be identified, based on the clinical presentation, the number of animals affected, and the negative test results for viral agents, an environmental, husbandry, or genetic component were considered as possible etiologies.

Blue poison dart frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus) are commonly found in zoological institutions and are becoming popular in the pet trade. Sedation or light anesthesia is required for safe and effective handling of this species. In this study, the effect of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone at two different doses (20 and 30 mg/kg) was evaluated in juvenile blue poison dart frogs (N = 10) in a prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover study. Heart rate, pulmonic respiratory rate, various reflexes, and behavioral parameters were monitored after drug administration. Both protocols resulted in rapid induction of sedation (median [range]) with loss of righting reflex: 20 mg/kg, 10 (10–20 min) and 30 mg/ kg, 10 (10–10 min). The time (mean ± SD) to return to spontaneous movement (20 mg/kg, 39.6 ± 7.6 min and 30 mg/kg, 54.5 ± 9.9 min; P < 0.01) and full recovery (20 mg/kg, 42.6 ± 8 min and 30 mg/kg, 61.6 ± 9.1 min; P < 0.01) after alfaxalone administration were significantly longer in the 30-mg/kg group. The frogs in both groups continued to remain responsive to tactile stimulation and retained palpebral reflexes. Alfaxalone induced cardiopulmonary depression and periods of apnea at both doses. The subcutaneous administration of 20 and 30 mg/kg alfaxalone resulted in clinically effective sedation in blue poison dart frogs. Sedation levels achieved in this prospective study would be adequate for a variety of noninvasive clinical procedures.

Captive snakes often suffer from pneumonia. Factors contributing to this problem include husbandry issues, nutrition, and hygiene. Infectious agents are particularly important, and bacteria can be primary or secondary drivers of disease processes. If these are not treated, they can lead to life-threatening problems. Bacteria were isolated from the lower respiratory tracts of 25 snakes with clinical signs of pneumonia. Antibiograms were made for the isolated bacteria against antibiotics commonly used to treat respiratory disease in small animals as well as macrolides and phenicols used to treat respiratory disease in cattle. Three hundred fifty snakes with clinical respiratory disease were then treated with one of the macrolides or the phenicol and monitored by bioassay for antibiotic activity in the blood and for clinical recovery. A total of 47 different bacteria, all Gram negative, were isolated from the tracheal washes of the 25 snakes. The highest sensitivity rates (>80%) were found against enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, the macrolides tularthromycin, tilmicosin, tildipirosin, and gamithromycin, and the phenicol flurofenicol. Of the snakes treated with tularthromycin, tilmicosin, gamithromycin, tildipirosin, or florfenicol, 89.4% recovered clinically within 2–3 wk of treatment.

Coccidia are common endoparasites in reptiles, especially lizards. Within this class Choleoeimeria spp. infections are rarely detected, but they may have a high pathogenic potential and treatments are often unsuccessful. A retrospective study was performed evaluating the prevalence of Choleoeimeria in fecal samples from lizards submitted for routine examination to a diagnostic laboratory in Germany. Between 2013 and 2014, 1.5% (n = 24/1,621; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–2.2%) of coprological samples from different lizard species tested positive for Choleoeimeria oocysts using a fecal flotation technique. This prevalence was similar to data obtained 10 yr earlier at the same laboratory. Infected species included central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris), unclassified agamids, monitors, one horned tree lizard (Acanthosaura sp.), one gecko, one common bluetongue (Tiliqua scincoides), and one chameleon. Different treatments (toltrazuril in varying intervals or trimethoprim and sulfonamide) in combination with strict environmental hygiene and disinfection with p-Chlor-m-Kresol did not impact fecal oocyst shedding for one juvenile Lawson's dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni). A new therapy approach using 10 mg/kg toltrazuril PO q 24 h for 3 days, with a repeat in 7 days, combined with 5 mg/kg clindamycin PO q 24 h for 7 days, finally resulted in negative oocyst shedding. Possible explanations for the challenging treatment of Choleoeimeria spp. are their localization in the gallbladder or the phylogenetical distance of the genus Choleoeimeria to the typical members of the family Eimeriidae. Further research is needed to increase our knowledge of these parasites and to develop an evidence-based treatment approach for diseased reptiles.

Leptospiral agglutinins have been measured in several species of chelonians in studies dating back to the1960s. However, despite the fact that sea turtles are one of the most charismatic and endangered groups of chelonians, only a single study has measured leptospiral antibodies in this group. Serum samples collected from hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) (n = 10) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) (n = 10) from two locations from the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed to detect Leptospira interrogans using the microagglutination test. Hawksbill and green sea turtles tested positive to five and seven serovars, respectively, with the serovars Grippotyphosa, Bratislava, and Canicola presenting a prevalence ≥50% in both species. Titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:400. These and previous results demonstrate that terrestrial, freshwater, and sea turtles are exposed to Leptospira at some stage of their life. The role of reptiles in the epidemiology, persistence, and transmission of leptospirosis is still controversial; however, there is evidence that some species of turtles can disseminate them in the environment. The detection of Leptospira is of sanitary importance as it is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease. Preventive measures should be taken by people working in sea turtle camps and aquariums to control and reduce their risk of exposure.