Abstract
The collective knowledge of the infectious diseases of reptiles has been rapidly expanding in the last few years. This chapter provides summaries of the infectious diseases. Rhinitis and upper respiratory tract illness is most commonly seen in chelonians. The infectious causes of lower respiratory tract disease seen in reptile practice include viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Disease of this system is common in all reptile species. Bacterial and fungal infections of the alimentary tract can be very difficult to diagnose since the normal flora in reptiles can include multiple potential pathogens. Liver disease is relatively common in reptiles with many infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites capable of infecting the liver. In reptiles, the immune responses mounted against foreign antigens have not been fully mapped but it is suspected reptiles rely on nonspecific immunological defences more than mammals.