Vet Guide 2025: Adenovirus Infections in Reptiles 🐉 by Dr Duncan Houston 🩺

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc and founder of Ask A Vet. In 2025, adenovirus remains a major concern—especially for bearded dragons, though snakes and lizards can also be infected. These DNA viruses spread via fecal-oral routes and may cause mild gastrointestinal signs or sudden death, especially in juveniles. While no direct antivirals exist, early detection, supportive care, and rigorous quarantine protocols help manage outbreaks and protect your collection.

1. What Is Reptile Adenovirus?

Adenoviruses are non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect reptiles, most notably central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Viral particles replicate in intestinal mucosa, hepatocytes, and bile ducts and often persist subclinically in adults :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

2. Who Is Most At Risk?

• Bearded dragons—young are especially vulnerable; millions affected in captivity :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Other lizards and some snakes may be carriers or develop disease :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Juveniles with co-infections (coccidia, dependoviruses), poor husbandry, or stress face higher mortality :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

3. How Is It Spread?

• Infected feces are the main source—ingestion leads to transmission :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Subclinical carriers shed virus intermittently and can infect contacts :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Breeding adults may transmit vertically or during close contact, though fecal-oral remains primary :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

4. Clinical Signs

• Variable presentation—from none to sudden death :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Common signs: • Weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness or lethargy :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Tachypnea, anorexia, illness lasting days to weeks :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Young animals often deteriorate rapidly and unpredictably :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

5. Diagnosis

• History & exam: juvenile bearded dragons with diarrhea/weight loss raise suspicion :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Rule out parasites/bacteria: fecal flotation, Gram stain, and cultures :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• PCR testing: available through specialized labs (e.g., UFVI) to detect viral DNA :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Histopathology: definitive but requires liver biopsy showing intranuclear inclusions :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

6. Treatment & Care

6.1 Supportive Care

• Rehydrate with subcutaneous or oral fluids.
• Offer energy–and nutrient-rich foods (collab diet, scrambled eggs).
• Warm basking areas (35–38 °C) to support digestion and immunity.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics for complications like enteritis.

6.2 No Specific Antiviral

There’s no cure; care focuses on minimizing stress, supporting organ function, and preventing secondary infections :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

6.3 Breeding Pauses

Affected animals should be removed from breeding programs. Carriers can transmit virus even when asymptomatic :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

7. Biosecurity & Quarantine

• Immediate isolation of symptomatic animals for 90 days :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Quarantine new/returning animals for ≥90 days, test by PCR.
• Bag feces for PCR analysis before integration.
• Thorough disinfection (bleach solutions or phenolics between enclosures).
• Use gloves, dedicate tools, and wash hands between handling animals.

8. Herd-Level Management

• Test breeders and juveniles regularly by PCR.
• Minimize mingling of age groups and avoid high-density setups.
• Post-outbreak, allow a 3–6 month pathogen-free monitoring period before new additions.

9. Prognosis

• Juvenile mortality is high—many die before significant symptoms appear.
• Adults: prognosis varies; subclinical carriers remain common.
• Long-term health requires strategic husbandry, testing, and biosecurity.

10. Ask A Vet Support 🩺

If your reptile—especially a bearded dragon—shows diarrhea, lethargy, or sudden illness, submit fecal images, PCR results, and enclosure details through the Ask A Vet app. Get expert guidance on diagnostics, supportive protocols, outbreak management, and breeding biosecurity. Visit AskAVet.com 📱

11. Final Thoughts

Adenovirus infections persist in reptile collections, especially bearded dragons, causing GI disease and sudden losses in juveniles. With no direct treatment available, success in managing virus lies in early detection, supportive care, rigorous quarantine, and herd-level biosecurity planning. In 2025, Ask A Vet is here to support you through outbreak response, diagnostics, and long-term collection health strategies. 🩺🌿

— Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc