Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have seen research done on monitor lizards, geckos, and snakes using Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum to combat crypto.

Any thoughts?

The research leads me to believe that it improved the animals immune system enough to combat the crypto. Some of the animals showed major signs of improvements.

I had a blizzard hatchling and a 2 snow adults die of crypto last year. The snows were from a local guy that I trusted so I did not quarnteen (sp). So now I am fighting the crypto battle. I have not lost any in 6 months so I hope it is gone, but not telling.

Has anyone else looked into using Colostrum or has anyone tried it?

thanks

tom

Sorry to hear about your crypto "epidemic" Glad you posted this though, because a lot of people have been doing the "keeping my babies together" thing lately, and not quarantining new snakes. This is a perfect example of why it needs to be done, even if they come from a breeder you know and trust. Heck, I even quarantined my the 4 I got from KL this year--seperate from each other and from the rest of my snakes. No need to take chances, as I guess you figured out.

As for the colostrum, I haven't heard of it, but then I don't really keep up on that. It is a huge immune boost, since colostrum is probably 90% anti-bodies. And most any mammal can be raised on another mammals milk. I'm curious now, with herps who normally would never taste colostrum or milk, how well they absorb and digest it. Hope someone else has some actual useful info for you.
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
6.7 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

I'm going through a scare right now with a pair of snakes I've had for over a year. They were quarantined for 6 months before entering the general collection. Some animals can carry Crypto with no signs until something (don't wish I knew what)causes the disease to escalate. I've been asking a lot of questions on the herp health forum so that's a place to start. Oldherper mentioned using Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum as a possible treatment in one of his posts.
Lora

But it is another good reson to at least attempt to quarantine for a while, rather than buying a new one and putting it in with another. I know even with quarantine things happen, but the chances are at least less with a period of evaluation before letting them "shack up"

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying anything about this poster or you, just worried about some of the new herpers who don't seem to understand the importance of the quarantine period.
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
6.7 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

I'm not an expert on anything much less crypto. I'm sure this post has a lot of people saying "what the heck is crypto". Could someone please explain this in a little more detail. I for one would sure appreciate a little schooling. Thanks, Jim
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1,0 snow
1,0 amel

1,0 aney stripe motley
0,1 normal
0,1 anery
0,1 motley
1,1 oketee
1,1 tx rat
4,4 ball python
1,1 dumerils boa
1,0 columbian red tail boa
1,1 green iguana
1,0 leopard gecko
1,3 dogs
freezer full of mice & rats

cryptosporidium is a spore that attacks the digestive system of many animals. It is contagious through feces and usually kills the reptiles. Once the animal catches crypo it start is throw up food, loose weight and then the stomach expands to look like it is always full. Once this happens death is not far.

It is passed many by the human from one snake to another or by nats (ie bugs) that feed on the feces and then go to another cage to feed.

Crypo can wipe out an entire colony in a matter of a few months. So snakes are a-typical carriers meaning they are able to infect other snake, but do not show any sights of being infected. A acid-fast test from the vet for about $20 can tell you if they have it. 3 tests are recommended to be sure of negative results.

tom

n/p
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1,0 snow
1,0 amel

1,0 aney stripe motley
0,1 normal
0,1 anery
0,1 motley
1,1 oketee
1,1 tx rat
4,4 ball python
1,1 dumerils boa
1,0 columbian red tail boa
1,1 green iguana
1,0 leopard gecko
1,3 dogs
freezer full of mice & rats