Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys i just have a general q?, how difficult or easy is for a 100% captive leo to get parasites??, is it possible even though he hasnt being in contact with any other sick animal. My second question would. When you guys keep you geckos in paper towels, do you sometimes, i mean once in a while, find a little bit of runny feceS?

david

Hi,

If you haven't read it yet, check out "Understanding Reptile Parasites: A Basic Manual for Herpetoculturists & Veterinarians"
by Roger Klingenberg. I am lucky enough to have Dr. Klingenberg as my vet, and he has told me that most reptiles, even captive bred ones, have pin worms. They aren't an immediately life threatening parasite to have, but it just goes to show that even the cleanest and best kept critters can have bugs. The thought makes me shudder when I seen how filthy so many pet stores keep their leos.

-amanda

The book is a great idea- also any animal that is fed live food has the possibility of contracting parasites this is why it is important to never feed dead bugs to your animal (naturally occuring micro-organisms that live in the bugs proliferate after they die) and to have a vet check a few times a year regardless of apparent health.