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Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
On-line version ISSN 2224-9435
Print version ISSN 1019-9128
J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc. vol.79 n.2 Pretoria 2008
CLINICAL COMMUNICATION
An outbreak of chlamydiosis in farmed Indopacific crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)
F W HuchzermeyerI; E LangeletII; J F PutterillIII
IPO Box 12499, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
IIMainland Holdings Crocodile Farm, PO Box 169, Lae, 411 Papua New Guinea
IIIOnderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
ABSTRACT
An outbreak of chlamydiosis was diagnosed in hatchling and juvenile Indopacific crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) on a crocodile farm in Papua New Guinea. The outbreak was characterised by high mortality with hepatitis and exudative conjunctivitis. The agent appears to have been introduced with live wild-caught crocodiles, which are purchased routinely by the farm. Improved quarantine procedures and treatment with tetracycline led to a rapid reduction of losses on the farm.
Keywords: Chlamydia, conjunctivitis, crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, hepatitis, tonsillitis
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REFERENCES
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Received: November 2007
Accepted: June 2008
* Author for correspondence. E-mail: crocvet@mweb.co.za
Huchzermeyer F W, Langelet E, Putterill J F An outbreak of chlamydiosis in farmed Indopacific crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). Journal of the South African Veterinary Association (2008) 79(2): 99-100 (En.). PO Box 12499, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa.