Parasites of Tarantulas (Theraphosidae)

Exotic animal medicine has evolved to include an increasing amount of veterinary treatment of a wide variety of species, including invertebrates. Tarantula spiders, being long-lived and visually charismatic, are among the most popular invertebrate pets and zoological exhibits. Several diseases are recognized in captive tarantulas, some of the most important of which are parasitic. Management and treatment of invertebrate parasites of patients such as tarantulas, which are themselves invertebrates, present some unique challenges to the exotic animal clinician.