Reptile & Amphibian Forums

avi files and mpg file at http://www.beardiedragon.com/post.htm
It is best if you save them to your hard drive and play them from there instead of playing them from the net

video file located here

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

I already put in my two cents. I wanted to see what you all think.
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Stacey

Well, it looks to me like Entamoeba invadens. The magnification was listed as 100x, which would mean that this was a gargantuan E. invadens trophozoite. However, we don't know the additional magnification factor introduced by the video camera. If it was zoomed to about 4x, then the size would be about right. E. invadens is generally considered normal intestinal flora in reptiles in small numbers. They can definitely cause problems if they bloom for some reason.

I guessed entamoeba or trichomonads. I was leaning toward trichomonads because of their commensal relationship in beardies. Thank you for looking!
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Stacey

Sorry, but this guy seems to me more than me! I only posted before about providing still pictures to help his chances of getting a reply because I figured others would want the same thing.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)

I'm no expert, but it looks a lot like the protozoa known as a paramecium.

Just a comment and a question. What numbers are you finding these in? Trichomonad protozoans like these are pretty common in beardeds and low numbers are considered commensals. A recent bout with coccidia or pinworms can cause the numbers to spike which may warrant treatment.

T.B

this was found while doing a direct sample. I saw 4 on the slide. I also found a high number of coccidia, several giardia and 2 pinworm. This was an animal that I had just received so shipping and stress may account for some of it. I did a direct and a float one week later and saw none of these fast big swimmers, coccidia to a lesser degree, still some giardia and 1 pinworm. I am going to do one more fecal this week and then start a parazap regiment. She is still eating and pooping fine so I am not to concerned.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

My error re: it being a paramecium, although at first it looked like one. I didn't know this was a from a fecal sample.

I agree with TB about it being a trichomonad sp. I'm not sure what ParaZap is, but usually these flagellated protzoans are treated with Flagyl (Metronidazole). Sulfadimethazine for coccidia and Fenbendazole for the pinworms. You'll probably have to alternate these drugs in intervals & keep the animal well- hydrated during treatment re: Flagyl & Sulfadimethazine as these two drugs are harsh on the kidneys.

my treatment plan: I start with a 10 day regiment of parazap. It is natural and it does reduce the number of parasites. It also increases appetite. If after 10 days their is still a problem, I use (as needed):
Albon (sulfadimethoxine) 50mg/kg 500mg/ml Daily for 5-7 days (i.e. A 100g animal = .1cc)

Flagyl (metronidazole) 20mg/kg 50mg/ml daily for 5-7 days (i.e. A 100g animal = .04cc)

Panacur (fenbendazole) 50mg/kg 50mg/ml daily for 5-7 days (i.e. A 100g animal = .05cc)

I also give 2cc of pedialyte and 4 drops of a probiotic (I use Asodophiliz)

I do a fecal at 5 days and treat for 2 more days if needed. If that does not solve the problem, then I repeat the regiment in 2 weeks but I sterilize the enclosure and spray the enclosure and the animals with Nolvasan 3x a day.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

np
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com