Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had a young snake for a couple months now. His stool frequently contains 2-4 small round balls, which have smaller balls or bubbles inside them. To me they look like eggs with larvae bubbles inside. Unfortunately I haven't examined them with a microscope and don't have any nearby vets who do reptile fecal samples.

He has a normal consistency stool after eating. But then he passes these egg things separately from his otherwise "normal poop".

I've read a bit about parazap and panacur. What should be my next best step to help this little guy? Is there some sort of medication a pet stores or do I have to get something from a vet? Can I administer myself or does a vet need to be involved?

Thanks, Tom

not sure what your seeing, a pic may help. but as for vets not doing reptile fecals, any vet, or graduated tech should be able to ID an egg in stool and look up what it is and figure out what meds you need. the ? is are the willing to?
i personaly dont know enough about parazap to tell you to use it, the web sites claim that its harmless seems like bad info, cuz anything used inproperly can be bad. as far as panacure, its probably your best bet for most parasites the commoon herp will have, and i would ask a vet to help with the dosage, it comes in many concentrations, again any vet SHOULD be able to help you with this, its again the ? of are they willing to?
try http://www.herpvetconnection.com/ for a vet more willing to deal with herps.
good luck!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

I agree that a fecal exam done by a vet will be needed. A vet can't really give you a dosage for Panacur (febendazole) without doing an exam because it's a prescription drug, and Panacur only kills certain worms (nematode worms, and I've never heard of or encountered any nematode eggs like what you're describing).

Have you checked out www.arav.org? There may be a herp vet within driving distance where you're located.

How is your snake doing, aside from the weird eggs? Is he eating and drinking alright, and have you noticed any weight loss?

A photo of these weird eggs would be very much appreciated

Christina
www.herptiles.net

A photo indeed would be helpfull. Parasitic eggs are microscopic, that is, you won't see them without a microscope. There may be a few exceptions, but still, they'd be smaller than the period on this sentence. As for your other questions, deworming is done best by your veterinarian, and if your collection ever becomes large enough where you find yourself needing to deworm regularly, then they may help you learn how to be a little more independent in this area. While reading on the net is informative, it won't give you the "whole" picture on prescribing medications.

Ian