Hello I was asked to add my opinion to this thread. I've read both part one and the continued edition so here it goes.



Understanding parasites:

IMO, this is always a great idea. What part of reptiles isn't fascinating? If it helps out with your husbandry, even if not on a day-to-day basis, then you're ahead of the game. It does go a long way to strengthen your quarantine period IMO.



I should caution, to Mike and everyone else else eager to learn; when you think you have a good grasp of everything, is typically the most dangerous time. It's kind of like the saying, "a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing". As long as you remain humble, and realize there will always be more that you don't know than what you do, then you'll be fine.



Some notes from the threads:

The parasites you see in those Yarrow spiny lizards probably arn't going to bother your snakes at all. "Most" parasites are quite species specific. What the original article (I think, I only read the short abstract that you provided) is about, and what you are seeing "squish out of the lizards under constriction" are reproducing parasites. That means that the lizard is the End Host.

Where the lizard could be a problem is when it is an Intermediate Host. These parasites you probably won't see. They are cysts or larvae encapsulated withen the tissues of the lizard as opposed to the intestinal tract. When the prey is eaten, these parasites are freed by digestion and are able to breed in your snake's gastro. tract.



Panacur and Flagyl treat bugs in the GIT. They won't kill parasites elsewhere in the body.



Jlassiter and FR are correct. Parasites generally aren't a concern for animals kept properly. They can keep them down to minimal levels, in which there is debate on many parasites actually being of some benefit, aka a commensal organism.



Most parasites need some sort of intermediate host, or at least an incubation period outside of target host. Such is that if you are spotless, or 'OCD' with your herp room, there nearly all parasitic infections that you will encounter will be self limiting.



Even with fecal analysis, you cannot claim your animals are parasite free. Those that do, just don't understand parasites, or what a fecal analysis is catching.



When you're doing your fecal analysis, centrifuging isn't necessary; the float is fine. However there are different methods (some involving centrifuging), that target different parasites. A simple example is the direct smear versus the fecal float. If giardiasis is suspected, a direct smear will always be used, for giardia are largely dead by the time the float has set.

Other tests like ELISA tests are much more sensitive than microscopy.

There is a brand new test (I don't know if it's available even for vets yet) that is very sensitive at detecting cryptosporidium. This is a DNA based test and should be very ground breaking for this uncurable disease.



Deworming is safe(?) Generally yes, in that there can be a large margin of error. However there are many exceptions and I am not a fan of self treatment. A lot more goes into a prescription than deciding on the dosage.



I think that's about it. I hope this was helpfull.



Ian

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