Bearded Dragon Adenovirus
We do not believe the adenovirus is a deadly plague that is sweeping through the bearded dragon population and indiscriminately killing off animals. It is however a concern, as a viral infection that seems to be prevalent throughout the captive bearded dragon population.
Please review our updated guarantee.
Please read the current information available from the University of Florida on adenovirus. This paper is meant to be a summary of what is currently known to these researchers and will be updated as they feel necessary based upon data/information collected over time. We will post any new versions as they are released.
Reptile Adenovirus PCR and Sequencing at the University of Florida CVM
For those who wish to test, an easily understood explaination of the testing methods used can be found here :
PCR vs. EM Adenovirus testing
* EM Fecal Testing for the Adenovirus is available by contacting Lou Ann Miller at the Center for Microscopic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine. Please contact Lou Ann directly for the fixative that is needed and instructions for collecting/submitting :
Phone# - 217-244-1567
Email - lamiller@uiuc.edu
*Real-Time PCR Fecal Testing for the adenovirus is available through Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.. This method of testing must be submitted to the laboratory by your veterinarian. Please have your veterinarian contact V.M.D. for the documents/guidelines to use for submission of samples.
Phone# - 513-576-1808
*Nested PCR Fecal Testing for the adenovirus is available through Dr. Elliott Jacobson at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. This method of testing must be submitted to the laboratory by your veterinarian. Please have your veterinarian contact the University of Florida for the documents to use for submission of samples.
Phone# - 352-392-4700 x 5775
Email - ChildressA@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
Some Interesting Reading
Many enteric viruses cause diarrhea, which in turn leads to dehydration and malnutrition. Here’s an interesting article by Clifford Warwick that has been posted by M. Kaplin.
***Observation on disease-associated preferred body temperatures in reptiles
In searching for information that would help us to understand the adenovirus in general and how it can effect its hosts I came across this book. This is not reptile related, but a good read on viruses in general. Also interesting to note that the lecture on enteric Adenoviruses is listed under “Viruses We Eat”.
***How Pathogenic Viruses Work
In this article the pathogenesis of various ingested pathogens is discussed. Table 3.2 - Factors increasing the Risk or Severity of Food borne Illness is on page 11.
***Chapter 3 - Pathogenesis