Posted by:
oldherper
at Mon Dec 8 09:16:42 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by oldherper ]
There are three pathenogenic causes of respiratory infections:
1. Bacteria (usually a gram-negative rod, but sometimes others).
2. Virus (usually the cause of fatal diseases of which the symptoms may include respiratory disease)
3. Parasites such as lungworms and certain flukes.
At times the actual cause of a respiratory illness in cases where virus is implicated is actually a secondary bacterial infection due to a diminished immune response.
Another non-pathogenic cause of respiratory illness is exposure to certain chemicals, such as phenol.
Contrary to popular belief, respiratoty infection is not caused by temperature changes. It can be brought on by improper temperature control, but what happens is actually that the snake's immune system is weakened by the stress of improper temperatures and allows some bacteria or other pathogen to get a foothold. In any case, the pathogen must be present in order for a respiratory infection to occur.
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RE: What causes a respiratory infections? np - oldherper, Mon Dec 8 09:16:42 2003