Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering where one would go about finding panacur & flagyll for de-parasitizing reptiles. I've been thinking on and off about picking up a couple fat-tailed geckos, but a $45 meds vet trip each doesn't sound very appealing to me, if I can avoid it by medicating at home.

Also, what is the appropriate dosing of these medicines?

thanks,
Ronnie Nocera

Hi Ronnie,

There are mixed opinions about owners self-medicating herps without veterinary guidance on this forum.

I personally do not condone with the "shotgun" approach of medicating animals with antiparasitics without any diagnostics first. Furthermore, Flagyl (metronidazole) and Panacur (febendazole) will not eradicate all types of parasites.

Have you inquired at the vet's about pricing? Many herp vets are quite open to herpers treating moderate-to-large collections. You can ask them if they will do a fecal exam for you (if both animals are from the same cage, you can pool samples from both animals as one) so that you can know what parasites are present, then can buy appropriate meds.

I doubt that $45/gecko was for a fecal, only. That probably included the consult fee. Have you asked about the above options? Technically, veterinarians are not allowed to prescribe a med without seeing the animal itself, but you would be surprised how flexible vets can be if you develop a good relationship from the get-go. Knowledgeable herp vets should generally acknowledge captive breeding efforts if that's what your pair is for, and explaining that you're a breeder-to-be (if that's your plan) could help.

I can tell you from experience, clients that come into my clinic with the whole attitude that "you vets are crooks, I don't want to pay your ridiculous fees, but give me what I want" are treated very differently than clients who approach us calmly, kindly and intelligently. Yes, we are a business that needs to make money to stay in business (no government money for us!). But, we also like nice, polite clients, and most clinics don't want the rude, "I know better than you so sell me the damned meds" clients. Of course, I'm not saying you're one of those, but just to give you some perspective.

Of course, some vets are certainly more strict than others, they have that right. But "shop around." Check www.arav.org for other local herp vets. You'll most likely find one that caters to breeders in the above way.

Curiously- are you talking about African Fat-tails, Hemitheconyx caudictinctus? Aren't most of these captive-bred right now? If you buy from a reputable breeder, then parasites are probably not a concern, anyways.
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Christina Miller, CAHT
www.herptiles.net