Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How long should I keep a new leo quarantined after I get her, before I can put the male in with her?

I read 60 days somewhere (and can't remember where). I've got SMZ-TMP and Panacur to treat her with when I bring her home to get rid of any coccidia or internal parasites. Any other suggestions?

Don't want to make my males sick when I finally decide on a female to bring home
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Holly Canfield, West Virginia
Registered Veterinary Technician

Pets
0.1 snow corn snake
2.0 normal leopard geckos
2.1 dogs
2.3 cats -- anyone want one?
2.0 rats
Mealworms and Crickets
1.0 American Quarter Horse - black!
Im memory of Kaija - a female green iguana who shared our lives for 9 years.

Two months is good rule of thumb minimum. Ussually if there is a problem some symptoms will show within that time. Personally, I've had some in my quarintine area for up to eight months or more. That is more due to avaliable space & complacent routine.
If going more then two months is an option, it wouldn't hurt.

I have quarantine periods between 60-120 days, depending on the animal's health and test results. I've kept rescues in Q for a lot longer, but I'll never go a day below 60, even for 'reputable' breeders' stock. I've lost 'healthy' animals to unknown causes within a week of purchase, and I've had rescues with drawn-out infections and infestations that make is 9 months in quarantine before they either recover or die.

Make sure you're taking extra precautions when you clean your quarantine tanks, wash your hands inbetween each tank and wear disposable gloves if you can (beauty shops sell boxes of 100 for under $8) and don't mix ANYTHING, not feeding tongs, feeders, water jugs, not a single thing.

I use powder free latex gloves, which i also use to clean tanks. I Q for about 90days, which is about 3 months. Pretty much it is basically up to the owner just as is anything....but anywhere from 60-150days i have heard. Good luck!