Vet Guide 2025: Spirurid Worm Infections in Reptiles & Amphibians 🐍🦎 by Dr Duncan Houston 🩺

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc and founder of Ask A Vet. Spirurid worms—a group of nematodes infecting mesenteric vessels, coelom, eyes, skin, and even body cavities—pose unique health challenges for reptiles and amphibians in 2025. This comprehensive guide explores their biology, signs, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies (including ivermectin and praziquantel), zoonotic considerations, and how improved husbandry can prevent reinfection.

1. What Are Spirurid Worms?

Spirurid worms (order Spirurida) include species that infect different tissues in reptiles and amphibians. Examples include Dracunculus (skin lesions), eyeworms (Thelazia), and mesenteric or coelomic parasites in turtles and amphibians :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

2. Life Cycle & Transmission

• Most spirurids have indirect life cycles requiring insect or crustacean intermediate hosts (snails, flies, copepods, etc.) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Reptiles become infected by ingesting intermediate hosts, often during feeding or through contaminated water.
• In some species, larvae enter through the skin or mucous membranes.

3. Species Affected & Tissue Tropism

• Dracunculus spp.: migrate to the skin, forming ulcerated nodules :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Thelazia (eyeworms): inhabit eyelids, conjunctival sacs, or orbital tissues :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Mesenteric/coelomic spirurids: embed in abdominal vessels or tissues of turtles, snakes, amphibians :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

4. Recognizing the Signs

• Skin nodules, ulceration, draining tracts, swelling (Dracunculiasis).
• Eye redness, discharge, corneal cloudiness, squinting (Thelaziasis).
• Abdominal distension, coelomic pain, lethargy, weight loss in internal infections.
• Behavioral change, appetite loss, dehydration if chronic.

5. Diagnosis

• Physical exam: inspect skin nodules, ocular structures, palpate abdomen.
• Fecal sedimentation: detect heavy eggs (spirurid types) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Ophthalmic exam or endoscopy: visualize ocular worms.
• Imaging (US/X-ray): assess migrate nodules, larval masses.
• Skin biopsy/swab: reveal larvae histologically.

6. Treatment Protocols

6.1 Ivermectin Therapy

• Ivermectin, dosed carefully (e.g., 0.2 mg/kg PO/SC), is effective especially in mesenteric and skin spirurid infections :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Repeat dosing may be needed every 10–14 days to kill emerging larvae.
• Avoid ivermectin in chelonians and sensitive species—consult species-specific safety data.

6.2 Praziquantel for Eyeworms

• Praziquantel (5–10 mg/kg PO) is the treatment of choice for ocular worms like Thelazia :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Repeat in 2 weeks to target late-stage larvae; combine with topical cleaning.

6.3 Surgical & Manual Removal

• Excise skin-draining tracts under anesthesia for Dracunculus.
• Manual removal of adult eyeworms via ophthalmic tools after topical anesthesia.

6.4 Supportive Care

• Clean wounds with saline and apply topical antimicrobials.
• Manage pain with NSAIDs; provide fluids and nutritional support.
• Repeat diagnostics after 2–4 weeks to confirm elimination.

7. Prognosis

• Skin and eyeworms have a good prognosis with treatment and removal.
• Internal spirurid infestation may require long-term management; repeat imaging and treatment cycles improve success.

8. Zoonotic & Environmental Risks

Spirurid worms are not commonly zoonotic, though Dracunculus can cause cutaneous lesions in humans. Eyeworms are host-specific. Always use gloves, disinfect surroundings, and prevent environmental vector access.

9. Prevention & Husbandry

• Quarantine new animals for ≥60 days and perform fecal sedimentation screenings.
• Eliminate or avoid intermediate hosts—control insects, snails, copepods.
• Clean and disinfect enclosures weekly; dry thoroughly to prevent vector survival.
• Feed thawed prey and reduce wild insect exposure.
• Quarterly monitoring of feces and ocular exams in at-risk species.

10. When to Contact Ask A Vet 🩺

If you find nodules, eye discharge, or suspect spirurid infection, upload photos, fecal smears, imaging, and case history via the Ask A Vet app. Receive expert help on dosing, removal strategies, supportive care, and long-term monitoring. Visit AskAVet.com 📱

11. Final Thoughts

In 2025, spirurid worms are an important but treatable concern in reptile and amphibian medicine. With accurate diagnosis, targeted anthelmintics, surgical options, and improved husbandry, full recovery is possible. Ask A Vet is here to support your journey from diagnosis to prevention—ensuring your exotic pets stay healthy and parasite-free. 🩺🌿

— Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc