Ascaridosis in captive reticulated python(Python reticulatus)

Abstract

Two captive reticulated pythons, Python reticulatus, in the Zoological Gardens, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria died and were submitted for necropsy at the Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ibadan. Both pythons had been infected with Ascaridia galli for a long period of time during which there was no record of
anthelminthic medication to the pythons. Organ lesions associated with these worms included severe ulcerative gastroenteritis, necrotic hepatitis and nephritis. It is advised that chickens meant for feeding captive-reared pythons or other wildlife must be certified worm-free to avoid such economic and wildlife resource loss in future.