Bacterial and parasitic diseases of selected invertebrates

Invertebrate medicine is a rapidly advancing aspect of veterinary medicine, although frustrating in its lack of answers and its limitations compared with vertebrate medicine. Because invertebrates make up 98% of animal life, it should be impossible to contain information on their known bacterial and parasitic diseases within a single article. When the focus is placed on those species commonly kept and treated by non-marine veterinarians, the amount of information becomes manageable. Many exotic species had their known diseases and treatments start this way and then advanced to a higher level of understanding. This article stands as an introduction to the parasitic and bacterial diseases of these fascinating creatures for the veterinary practitioner.