Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

Just wanted to let everyone know that the first round of Panacur for my sick babies is underway... Also, does anyone know how long a parasite with an in-direct and or direct life cycle can live outside of the host? Thanks to everyone for helping me out.

Richie

must have found some worms or such. I believe a worm parasite cannot really live long outside of a host maybe 12 or 24 hours, but you don't want the leos eating eggs from the worms or crickets or mealies eating the eggs. Most worms lay eggs that deposit in the host droppings then the eggs are ate by another host or eaten by the prey of a host then they hatch and infest the eater. Kinda how crickets transfer worms to some reptiles. Some types of micro-parasites can live outside for some time like crypto and such.
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Even if your on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there
22 leos,1.1 redtail boas,1.1 rainbow boas,1.1 cornsnakes, 1.0 tokay gecko,1.0 veiled cham, 5 dogs and a cat. Oh, can't forget Tater my parrolet.

Yep, Yep found some worms... As for the protozoa, how long would you speculate that it could live outside of its host??? Do you think it would be more then a week?

oh, no I doubt it could live more than a day or so if more than a few hours. More than likely once it leaves the leo it is probally dead. They either lay eggs or leave a body segment or part in the feces that transfers itself if eaten or come from crix or other food items that injested the same
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Even if your on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there
22 leos,1.1 redtail boas,1.1 rainbow boas,1.1 cornsnakes, 1.0 tokay gecko,1.0 veiled cham, 5 dogs and a cat. Oh, can't forget Tater my parrolet.

I believe oocysts can live for quite a long time outside the body, well over a week, this is why they can be transmitted by water (e.g. crypto, giardia)
Oocysts are notoriously difficult to kill, especially Crypto, even bleach may not kill it.

But don't let this get you alarmed, most likely your babies just have worms. During treatment it is neccessary to sterilize the enclosure thoroughly after every treatment, more often if possible. Switching between sterilite containers using papertowels for substrate and deli cups for hides makes this much easier.