Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had ongoing posts about my beardie that only poops every 1-2 weeks and it is loose. Because he doesn't go very often, this has been an long process with the vet. First sample I took in was negative, but she thought it was too old so wanted a new sample. Took another sample in and they said that was negative. Then she wanted another sample to send off to a lab for a "culture/sensitivity" test. Receptionist calls and says the results came back and he has "salmonella." I said "don't they all?" She says that the vet left meds for me to pick up. When I got there and looked at his chart, it said "hookworms" from the 2nd sample they did (which I was told was neg.). The meds that were given by the vet were actually for the hookworms (panacur), not "salmonella." Okay...so I'm confused and need to talk to the vet directly (she is an herp vet). Also, the meds she gave me are in 3 packets (panacur granules). Directions on the packets are to give 1 packet daily for 3 days. Vet's instructions are to mix with water and give one packet every 14 days for 3 treatments. Does this sound right? Also, when I mix the granules with water it really doesn't dissolve all of the way. It took me 30 min. to get it all down the poor beardie - he is such a good sport though. Sorry this is so long but I'm very confused.

Could you get a second opinion from another vet? I see where you are confused...

A whole packet for one Dragon sounds like alot to me. The packets I am familiar with are given to dogs. Also, Panacur *IS* available in a paste, which is easier to give to a reptile, and easier to measure your dose.

I would seek a second opinion somewhere, or at least get hold of the vet and have her take you through all that has happened and what you've been advised.
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KITKAT

0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
1.0 African House Snake
0.1 Albino Corn Snake
1.0 Red Sided Garter Snake
0.1 Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed mouse)
2.5 Turkish Angora (show) cats

Antioch Turkish Angoras
PuRRS Rescue

I deffinitely think getting a second opinion on the proper treatment. TO my knowledge there is no way to remove salmonella from bearded dragons or any animal for that matter. Eliminating risks of cross contamination (ie dragon eats bugs or food that gets in contact with the bacteria either from where he last pooped, or from something running through his poop then being eaten by the dragon) Or the dragon licking a spot he recently pooped but wasn't properly sterlized etc.

hookworms are a parasite and can be treated by panacur. The dosage you were asked to use doesn't seem right to me. I deffinitely suggest not giving him anymore till you get a second opinion. Too much panacur can be just as harmful to your dragon, if not more, than the hookworms (depending on teh concentration of hookworms of course).
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PHLdyPayne

>> Also, the meds she gave me are in 3 packets (panacur granules). Directions on the packets are to give 1 packet daily for 3 days. Vet's instructions are to mix with water and give one packet every 14 days for 3 treatments. Does this sound right? Also, when I mix the granules with water it really doesn't dissolve all of the way. It took me 30 min. to get it all down the poor beardie - he is such a good sport though. Sorry this is so long but I'm very confused.

Typically with reptiles and panacur you are generally looking at 3 doses, one given every 2 weeks. However, the packets you were given sound like the type you can buy over the counter at some petstores..they are pre-dosed for dogs (by a specific weight range) and those dosages are not meant for herps. To use a pre-dosed packet like that with herps, she should have properly given you instructions on how to divide up a single packet to get the correct dosage for the dragon. Panacur doses are based by the weight of the animal in conjunction with the strength of the drug. With an animal as small as a dragon you DON'T want to make a mistake on the calculations. I think for an adult dragon 1 single packet of granules is probably good for 10 or more doses. I know I used 1 single packet to treat a 5lb python with plenty left over...and a dragon doesn't come close to that kind of weight.

I highly suggest that you do not give any of the medicine to the dragon until you have talked to the vet in person to clear things up.

Also with a dragon, you really don't have to mix the granules with water. Once you get the proper dosage rate from the vet, you can sprinkle it on some wet veggies. Snakes are more of a problem as you have to liquify the meds and inject it into their pre-killed food.
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PHWyvern

Thanks everyone for the advice. I did talk to her today, unfortunately it was before I read these posts. It was her assistants that passed on the wrong message. The panacur was for the hookworms and the stuff about the salmonella was just informational. I will talk to her again about the dosage before I give him anymore. The packets are labeled for dogs and have what I would estimate to be at least 1/8 teaspoon, if not 1/4 teaspoon. If I don't get a good answer I will find someone else. It amazes me that he looks and acts so healthy (just yucky poop). He's lucky he is so cute, because he is taking more time and energy than my 2 kids, 2 dogs and cat!!