CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM IN PEAT LITTER – CAUSE OF DEADLY DISEASE IN REPTILES IN PRIVATE TERRARIUM

Abstract

Materials from 6 months old snakes of the species shooter snake (Coluber caspius), died with neurological symptoms and uncharacteristic eating of peat litter, were tested. At the microscopic examination of samples of liver and peat litter were found bacteria with morphology, typical of Clostridium botulinum, then this species was isolated from studied materials. The сlinical, pathological and microbiological results show that the most likely cause of these symptoms and mortality was botulinum intoxication. To prevent the disease, the peat and other bedding for reptiles should not be kept in wet and anaerobic conditions.