I do have to say I question that is a "some new virus" until ALL possible avenues of known infections to affect leopard geckos have been thoroughly investigated and eliminated. Partially because you can't treat a virus, and if there is a drug cure then it would be shame to have the animals be sick or die from something curable. Also because it is simply more likely that the infection is some known thing rather some brand new mystery thing. Don't give up. I STRONGLY recommend getting your vet to prescribe an orally dosed antibiotic for at least one leo and see what happens. Again, mine responded to Cefa-Drops (I believe this is Cefadroxil) with normal stools within 3 or 4 days. It is in the Cephalosporin family of antibiotics. It has a comparatively wide margin of safety compared to some other antibiotics. This is not the typical antibiotic that you would prescribe but there are reasons we tried it, and it worked. Baytril injections, on the other hand, which was my vet's first try, did not work, though on consultation with another vet I am told this is because the dosages were too far apart.



As to where the bacteria came from, who knows, I have had a closed colony for over a year. Maybe they got it from me. I've had a recurring bacterial sinus infection and strep. Though feeders can carry infections too. However I question this route because then I would think all my leos would have been sick, and it only affected one colony of four hets plus a couple individually housed females I had but in with my male, who turned out to be infected (he was with the infected colony). Nearby animals were completely unaffected. So the path of infection was very clear and non-airborne. It sounds like this is not the case in your situation.



Also, I have found it is essential to ISOLATE every animal (house it individually) during treatment), and of course sterilize environment and remove feces immediately.



Also you should know that a negative acid-fast stain does not eliminate crypto- due to the lifecycle of the organism, you will only get a positive result 1/4 of the time, as that is when the oocysts shed. As I understand it at least. If you lose another animal, a necropsy is the best way to confirm or eliminate whether it is crypto.



Good luck.

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