Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm taking care of a tiny little rescue (a blizzard I mentioned here before) He is going in for tests today. I want to specifically ask for a Crypto test just to rule it out - since everything I've read about it sounds so scary!

I don't know if this little guy will make it... he seems very weak after have a small rally last week.

Please tell me all you know about Crypto.

What are the symptoms, and how do they differ from the look of a leo suffering from other more common parasites?

I've read that it is easy to miss in a fecal test, is this true?

If I ask specifically to have him tested for crypto, and the test is negative, can I definitely rule it out?

Is it common... How many here have actually known first hand of a leo with crypto?

I know it is extremely easy to spread. I've been as careful as I can be with handling - keeping everything separate and washing my hands constantly, but is it ever airborne?

I expect to acquire a few more geckos soon and they may not be in perfect health, so I don't want to risk any harm to them.
Do I need to be concerned about catching it myself if he turns out to have it?

He was shipped to the shop along with others and they shared space in the shipping box and tank - does this make it less likely to be crypto since the others seem fine?

Is Bleach or Ammonia better for disinfecting things?

Is it true that it is VERY hard to eliminate it even by using Bleach? (I do not plan to reuse the tank)

I know the odds are that he probably is suffering from something else and not this dreaded microbe, but I wanted to learn more about it.

If it turns out that he does have it, I will have him put down to avoid adding any further risk to my other geckos.

What is the exact condition you are thinking? My vet friend gave me this reptile medicine and surgery book that is amazing. I could look it up for you in there.

I've found quite a bit of information on the internet, but some of it conflicts... such as whether people can catch it. Some say yes definitely, other sites say no, absolutely not, it's a different form than humans get.
I just wanted to see what "real world" experience people have had and how common it actually is.
Thanks for any info you have to share!

Sue

Hi GeckoHappy,
This was what concerned me when you first got this little baby. I mentionned it in a post to you. The other names for it are Skinny tail Pencil tail, Crypto, Coccidia infection. Basically it is a Parasite infection caused by coccidia and yes it can be hard to detect. I used to do many fecal tests when I worked in a Vets office and unless the oocysts are shedding it can easily be missed. OK so basically these are the symptoms in geckos:
Usually there is appetite decrease, weight loss and loss of fat reserve in the tail, If the appetite stays the same there might be vomiting(regurgitation), regurgitation of shed skin. There can be diarrhea and the passage of partially digsted food in the stool, as it gets worse the gecko becomes thinner, weaker, lethargic, and death will eventually occur. But on a good note, not all geckos with a skinny tail has Crypto. So yes please get tests done. The internal organs start to fail after enlargement of the liver, septicemia, dehydration. That is also why in my post before I mentioned liver failure. Coccidia is a protozoan parasite that affects all reptiles and mammals that have direct life cycles that passes through the stool and re-infect the original host as well as other animals or reptiles. It can cause havoc when many animals that live together.
Make sure you ask the Vet to stain the slide with the sample on it Its called an acid-fast stain the reason it can sometimes be hard to detect it is because the occysts are not shed at all times so it is possible to get a negitive result. three stoll samples should be tested within a 7-10 day time frame.
In warm blooded animals the parasite disease is self limiting and generally short lived. In reptiles this parasite appears to be chronic ad impossible to eliminate. But that doesn't mean a reptile can't live with it. It just need to be at a minumin.
Good Luck and keep us informed! Deb
-----
Beardies: 6.15.4

Pyro-Red Flaming Tiger x Orange German Giant Male
Kai-GG x Orange GG Male
Skyla-GG x GG Pastel Female
Voodoo-Yellow Red Desert Male
Banshee-Orange Sandfire Female
Puff-Citrus x Red/Orange Sandfire Male
Cera-Citrus x Sunburst Female
Moon-Hypo x Snow Female
Jewel-Yellow Sandfire x Orange Sandfire- Female
Ace-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sundra-Sunrise x Red/Gold Sandfire Female
Nitro(Stubbs)-GG x GG Pastel- Female Juvy
Rainbow-GG x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Wicket-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sedona-Blood x Red/Orange Sandfire Female
Seven-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flame-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Cinder-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Kiowa-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Echo-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flurry- Snow Female Baby
Jinx- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Jazz- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Jet- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Joker- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby

Leopard Geckos 6.17

Blossom- Patternless Female(Animal Dreams)
Blaze- Jungle Bandit Female (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Bonzai-High yellow Jungle Leo Male Juvy(Bruckman's Reptiles)
Basil-High Yellow Jungle Leo Female Juvy(Bruckman's)
Ebony-Dark Phase Normal Female
Snowflake-Line bred snow Female
Twister-HQ Red Stripe Leo Male
Swayze-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Eclipse-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Ayesha-Outcross JMG x HQ Red Stripe Female(Hot Geckos)
Solar-High Yellow Leo Male
Sunspot-High Yellow Leo Female Juvy( Bruckman's Reptiles)
Phoenix-Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Baldy Male (Hot Geckos)
Cajun-Super Hypo Tang Baldy Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Calypso-Super Hypo Leo Female
Bijou- Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Female( Pro Geckos)
Inca- Super Hypo Tang Female (Pro Geckos)
India- Super Hypo Tang Female(Pro Geckos)
Arwen-Rainwater( LV)Jungle Albino Leo Male (Hot Geckos)
Aries-Rainwater(LV) Banded Albino Leo Female (Hot Geckos)
Ice-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Winter-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles
Shiver-Banana Blizzard Leo Male Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)

Tortoises 1.2

Velvet-Leopard Tortoise baby poss male
Sammy-Red Foot Female
Isis-Red Foot Female

4.3 Ball Pythons

Stripe Male 05
Black Back Female 05
Het Pied Male 05
Axanthic Female 03
Reduced with Blushing Female 03
Chocolate Reduced Male 04
Banded Male 04

Tarantula's

1 Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1 Curly Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby

Other Pets:

8.20 CFA Reg. Manx Cats
Too many to name here (Adults and Kittens)
2.1 German Shepherds
Danzig(Red Sable)male Search and Rescue Tracking
Onyx( Black) Female SAR Air/Ground Scent retired
Sakotah(Black Sable)Male Pup ( Danzig/Onyx's Pup)
1.0 Hedgehog-White Wicca(old man)
2.2 Chinchilla's-Breezy, Stormy Nights, Myst, Black Velvet
0.1 Eastern Gray Squrriel-Paws (Squrrielee-o)
0.1 Ferret-Jumanji(daughter's)
Giant White New Zealand Rabbit(rescue)-Callie(daughter's)
0.2 Brown Bear, Longhair Hamsters Brownie Keelee(daughter's)
1.1 Dumbo Rats (daughter's)

Crypto and Coccodiosis are not the same thing but caused by the same thing. Once you have the stool sample tested you can go the step future and do a serological test just for Crypto using blood. Coccidia as in coccidiosis can cause many of the same sysmptoms and even death too. As for if people can get this form of coccidia, I am not 100% sure but people can get a form of it Yes! Stress causes coccidiosis come out since most animals have coccidia.There is so much on the subject of both of these but I gave you probably the most important info. Lastly there is not fast cure but Albon, Flagyl has been use to help with the infection. I hope this helps some. Keep us informed. Deb
-----
Beardies: 6.15.4

Pyro-Red Flaming Tiger x Orange German Giant Male
Kai-GG x Orange GG Male
Skyla-GG x GG Pastel Female
Voodoo-Yellow Red Desert Male
Banshee-Orange Sandfire Female
Puff-Citrus x Red/Orange Sandfire Male
Cera-Citrus x Sunburst Female
Moon-Hypo x Snow Female
Jewel-Yellow Sandfire x Orange Sandfire- Female
Ace-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sundra-Sunrise x Red/Gold Sandfire Female
Nitro(Stubbs)-GG x GG Pastel- Female Juvy
Rainbow-GG x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Wicket-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sedona-Blood x Red/Orange Sandfire Female
Seven-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flame-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Cinder-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Kiowa-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Echo-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flurry- Snow Female Baby
Jinx- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Jazz- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Jet- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Joker- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby

Leopard Geckos 6.17

Blossom- Patternless Female(Animal Dreams)
Blaze- Jungle Bandit Female (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Bonzai-High yellow Jungle Leo Male Juvy(Bruckman's Reptiles)
Basil-High Yellow Jungle Leo Female Juvy(Bruckman's)
Ebony-Dark Phase Normal Female
Snowflake-Line bred snow Female
Twister-HQ Red Stripe Leo Male
Swayze-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Eclipse-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Ayesha-Outcross JMG x HQ Red Stripe Female(Hot Geckos)
Solar-High Yellow Leo Male
Sunspot-High Yellow Leo Female Juvy( Bruckman's Reptiles)
Phoenix-Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Baldy Male (Hot Geckos)
Cajun-Super Hypo Tang Baldy Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Calypso-Super Hypo Leo Female
Bijou- Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Female( Pro Geckos)
Inca- Super Hypo Tang Female (Pro Geckos)
India- Super Hypo Tang Female(Pro Geckos)
Arwen-Rainwater( LV)Jungle Albino Leo Male (Hot Geckos)
Aries-Rainwater(LV) Banded Albino Leo Female (Hot Geckos)
Ice-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Winter-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles
Shiver-Banana Blizzard Leo Male Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)

Tortoises 1.2

Velvet-Leopard Tortoise baby poss male
Sammy-Red Foot Female
Isis-Red Foot Female

4.3 Ball Pythons

Stripe Male 05
Black Back Female 05
Het Pied Male 05
Axanthic Female 03
Reduced with Blushing Female 03
Chocolate Reduced Male 04
Banded Male 04

Tarantula's

1 Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1 Curly Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby

Other Pets:

8.20 CFA Reg. Manx Cats
Too many to name here (Adults and Kittens)
2.1 German Shepherds
Danzig(Red Sable)male Search and Rescue Tracking
Onyx( Black) Female SAR Air/Ground Scent retired
Sakotah(Black Sable)Male Pup ( Danzig/Onyx's Pup)
1.0 Hedgehog-White Wicca(old man)
2.2 Chinchilla's-Breezy, Stormy Nights, Myst, Black Velvet
0.1 Eastern Gray Squrriel-Paws (Squrrielee-o)
0.1 Ferret-Jumanji(daughter's)
Giant White New Zealand Rabbit(rescue)-Callie(daughter's)
0.2 Brown Bear, Longhair Hamsters Brownie Keelee(daughter's)
1.1 Dumbo Rats (daughter's)

I just got back from the vet with little Spooky (that’s what I decided to name the little blizzard)
I got a fecal flotation and an acid fast test done, and they didn’t see any sign of parasites, BUT the fecal was mostly an undigested cricket, so they gave me Panacur to worm him anyway (which the little bugger actually liked the taste of!)
Just for comparison in case anybody wants to know, here is a breakdown of the fees:
1 Exotic Office visit (small) $40.00
1 Fecal Flotation $19.50
1 Acid Fast Stain $15.00
30ml Panacur $15.00
Total $89.50 after tax $90.40

(I got extra Panacur for anyone else that might need it at a later date)

I asked about Crypto, and they said that it is pretty rare in domestic bred leos, and it usually shows up as vomiting and diarrhea. (he only got the runs after starting the slurry, and has never vomited) She didn’t think it was likely in this guy, but warned me that the test can miss it. You are right that it has to actually be shedding the microbes at the time in order for it to show up.

I asked about the idea of getting a good microscope to do fecal tests at home and she said it is a great idea and gave me printouts with images of what to look for. I thought I’d mention it in case anyone here might want to consider doing that just to check your guys now and then for parasites without having to spend for an exam every time your leo stops eating for a couple of days. She also mentioned that there can be a big discrepancy in the amounts different healthy leos will eat, without any problems. (I suspected this, I have two that eat everything and two that pick and take breaks, and they are all pretty fat)

So what’s the diagnosis on the little guy? Probably a congenital defect in his digestive system or liver, but he could still pull through. She gave me some caplets of milk thistle which is supposed to be good for the liver and immune system in general to mix in with the slurry.

I feel like a just took a class on gecko medicine, so I suppose it was worth it!

Your synopsis of Crypto was right on the money. I feel a bit better about him, though I sure do wish I could rule it out entirely. I'll keep you posted, and thanks so much for your help.

Hi Sue, I am glad the info helped and I am certainly glad that the fecal was negative although more happy the Vet feels its probably not Crypto. If there is no improvement I would get another fecal done. Another thing is if this gecko was ever in a cage with a wild caught gecko or even in a dirty place that had the stool of another gecko it can pick it up if the other gecko was infected. So yes most captive born geckos do not end up with Crypto but if you do not know where he came from, who he was with ect. Never rule it out without testing. So you did the right thing by testing him. Sometimes treating the symptoms is all we can do since there is not a cure all for coccidia. Albon works in the intestinal tract to help coat things,calm down the irritated intestines, it has antibiotic properties and other things to help aid the animal while it goes through the stressful time. Ask her also for some Albon because many times they like to alternate the two different drugs to help make sure that most of the parasites are eliminated(or if he doesn't have parasites the Albon will help with any inflammation in the intestines due to the other meds and the slurry and stress). Now keep in mind these drugs also destroy the good flora in his stomach so ask about that as well. I am not sure if Geckos will eat yogurt but if so get the natural kind that has the acidophlis in it. Or sometimes you can get it at health food stores in capsule form. This will help with the flora and bring back the good bacteria. And I sure hope the little one pulls thru. I have seen them alot worse that yours and they did pull thru so there is hope. Take care and you are doing a wonderful job with him! Keep us informed on his progress. Deb
-----
Beardies: 6.15.4

Pyro-Red Flaming Tiger x Orange German Giant Male
Kai-GG x Orange GG Male
Skyla-GG x GG Pastel Female
Voodoo-Yellow Red Desert Male
Banshee-Orange Sandfire Female
Puff-Citrus x Red/Orange Sandfire Male
Cera-Citrus x Sunburst Female
Moon-Hypo x Snow Female
Jewel-Yellow Sandfire x Orange Sandfire- Female
Ace-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sundra-Sunrise x Red/Gold Sandfire Female
Nitro(Stubbs)-GG x GG Pastel- Female Juvy
Rainbow-GG x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Wicket-Sundial Coral x Snow Male
Sedona-Blood x Red/Orange Sandfire Female
Seven-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flame-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Cinder-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Kiowa-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Echo-GG Orange x GG Pastel Female Juvy
Flurry- Snow Female Baby
Jinx- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Jazz- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Jet- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby
Joker- Snow x Hypo Orange Baby

Leopard Geckos 6.17

Blossom- Patternless Female(Animal Dreams)
Blaze- Jungle Bandit Female (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Bonzai-High yellow Jungle Leo Male Juvy(Bruckman's Reptiles)
Basil-High Yellow Jungle Leo Female Juvy(Bruckman's)
Ebony-Dark Phase Normal Female
Snowflake-Line bred snow Female
Twister-HQ Red Stripe Leo Male
Swayze-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Eclipse-HQ Red Stripe Bold Jungle Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Ayesha-Outcross JMG x HQ Red Stripe Female(Hot Geckos)
Solar-High Yellow Leo Male
Sunspot-High Yellow Leo Female Juvy( Bruckman's Reptiles)
Phoenix-Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Baldy Male (Hot Geckos)
Cajun-Super Hypo Tang Baldy Leo Female(Hot Geckos)
Calypso-Super Hypo Leo Female
Bijou- Super Hypo Tang Carrot Tail Female( Pro Geckos)
Inca- Super Hypo Tang Female (Pro Geckos)
India- Super Hypo Tang Female(Pro Geckos)
Arwen-Rainwater( LV)Jungle Albino Leo Male (Hot Geckos)
Aries-Rainwater(LV) Banded Albino Leo Female (Hot Geckos)
Ice-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)
Winter-Blizzard Leo Female Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles
Shiver-Banana Blizzard Leo Male Juvy (Bruckman's Reptiles)

Tortoises 1.2

Velvet-Leopard Tortoise baby poss male
Sammy-Red Foot Female
Isis-Red Foot Female

4.3 Ball Pythons

Stripe Male 05
Black Back Female 05
Het Pied Male 05
Axanthic Female 03
Reduced with Blushing Female 03
Chocolate Reduced Male 04
Banded Male 04

Tarantula's

1 Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby
1 Curly Hair Tarantula(my husband's)Baby

Other Pets:

8.20 CFA Reg. Manx Cats
Too many to name here (Adults and Kittens)
2.1 German Shepherds
Danzig(Red Sable)male Search and Rescue Tracking
Onyx( Black) Female SAR Air/Ground Scent retired
Sakotah(Black Sable)Male Pup ( Danzig/Onyx's Pup)
1.0 Hedgehog-White Wicca(old man)
2.2 Chinchilla's-Breezy, Stormy Nights, Myst, Black Velvet
0.1 Eastern Gray Squrriel-Paws (Squrrielee-o)
0.1 Ferret-Jumanji(daughter's)
Giant White New Zealand Rabbit(rescue)-Callie(daughter's)
0.2 Brown Bear, Longhair Hamsters Brownie Keelee(daughter's)
1.1 Dumbo Rats (daughter's)