Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Pinworms can be contracted through sand. You may have heard of kids getting pinworms from playing in sand. Crickets are also a known vector for pinworms.

For those of you who use play sand for substrate, you may want to reconsider. I am currently treating my dragons for pinworms (panacur), but don't know how exactly they contracted them. I am eliminating all possibilities though...

I know the Reptile Sand or CalciSand sold in pet stores can be a little expensive (~$5-$6 for a small bag), but it is worth getting for you beardies sake.

Play sand can be bought at stores like Home Depot or Lowe's for ~$1-$2, but cheaper is not always better.

Calcisand is very dangerous too. One of, if not THE leading cause of impaction in beardies. It is not digestable, don't believe the label. Too many beardies and loving owners have been hurt by that stuff. Why take the chance?

If you really want to avoid all risks that sands may present, I recommend either paper towels or rubber shelf-liner, as seen in this pic. It's easy to clean and presents no risks to your lizard.

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1.0.1 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

kb

dirty substrate of any kind, can spread worms.

Kids can get pinworms from playing in dirt also, where cats or dogs have soiled.

Thats why it is so important to have good cleaning habits as far as their tanks. NO MATTER what substate ! :0

Eve

Specifically, dogs and cats do not carry pinworms at all.

The worms that are a concern for picking up from play sand that children play in are ring worms, due to other animals using the sand as a bathroom.

Enterobius vermicularis = Humans pinworms are species specific to humans. You can get them from other humans, but not other animals.

Althought there are other animals that have their own species of pinworms, pinworms have never been found in dogs or cats, so kind of hard to get them from them.

The pinworms reptile have are unigue to them and can not be passed to humans
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www.reptilerooms.com

was just to say it was not "sand" itself ! Sand, soil, moss, the substrate is not the problem, that causes pin worms !

It's not if you use sand, you will have pin worms,

A myth, about the kids getting pin worms from soiled sand or dirt, I appoligise for my ignorance, sure wont be the first time, LMAO (Thanks Cheri)

Eve

can we get pinworms from cats? I bet everyone of them would say yes

Your absolutely right in that it is the substrate and care of that substrate that is the cause. Pinworms are thought by many University and reseracher now to be a normal part of gut fauna in animals, in fact they are thinking they may actually be benefical in them and they prevent other far serious problems.

Like many things with humans and animals, the problem come when they are in too great a number.

I collected some interesting information on pinworms and studies done with them awhile back if you want to read it on the link below
Intestinal Parasites/Worms May Prove Beneficial

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www.reptilerooms.com

that article, which was very interesting, thanks for sharing it.

Its the same thing we are doing with the OVER USE of antibiotics in humans right now. We are becoming immune to them.

Caution and care is a wonderful thing, but sometimes we tend to over- due EVERYTHING !!!

Good post, YOURS are usually chocked full of well used info, that no doubt takes time and commitment on your part. And is much appreciated by many !

Now back to the fun stuff, hehehehhe post some pics ! Love looking at lizard pics, *SMILE*

Eve

Hi
i know this almost sound am a preacher but thats why i like parazap.
you can get pinworms and other worms in several ways not only sand.
if you pet a horse r other animals ,r washced youre greens very wel then you also have a change you get worms.
you always have the risk youre animals get parasites.
you must use prefentif things like parazap.
i broke the cycle of hookworms with it and they where housed on sand .
am stil now 2 1/2 years parasite free with it
and i also used that same time waches play sand heated 350 degree and coccodisi free is on the bag.

byeeeeeee

I feel like I should know this, as many times as it's been mentioned.... but what exactly is Parazap? Is it like an all-purpose cleaner for tanks, furniture, everything?
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1.0.1 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

site about Parazap, you can purschase in a lot of places.

But this just answers alot of questions, to give you an Idea WHAT is is and does !

http://sidorsky_1.tripod.com/dragons/parazap.html

Eve

I'm sold!

I am all about preventative medicine. I have a 2.5 year old dragon w/ giardia and pinworms who is being treated right now. I also have a 6 week old who passed his fecal today with flying colors. They are quarantined, but anything extra I can do to keep the little one healthy is worth it!
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1.0.1 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

my lizards, I use it every so often.
And never have problems thank Goodness.

I agree with you it is very good and safe !

Eve

I was previously using sand for all of my beardies until I learned of the pinworms.
Now I am using paper towels and newspaper... at least until I see improvements in their stool and know more about the safety & hazards of using sand.

2 of my beardies are having bad diarrhea. I got paranoid and took them to get a fecal test and that’s where the pinworm eggs were found.

I read the article that Cheri provided. I still say its better safe than sorry. At least until we know more information on whether certain parasites are good vs. bad for the long term health of our beardies.

Thank you all for the helpful insights and suggestions.
I look forwards to reading more from you all on this topic.

There is always something new to learn.