Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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How often do leos get the parasites or worms back once you take them to a vet. Please let me know, thanks.
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Yes, parasites will cause them to lose their appetite.

If the parasites have been completely cleared (more than one treatment is required), and the cage is cleaned and sterilized very regularly while this is being done, then a yearly checkup should be sufficient.

If you're feeding captive raised insects, the chances are faily low that the gecko will pick up more parasites. If you add in the occasional wild insects, chances rise. You need to be careful to wash your hands thoroughly when you go from cage to cage, if you're touching the animals or cleaning the cages. This will prevent parasites present in one cage from being transferred to others. The eggs or cysts tend to be microscopic.

If you have a large herp collection, my personal advice would be to invest in a microscope, and a guide to reptile parasites, and learn how to detect them yourself. Learn proper doseages for panacur and flagyl, and treat your own collection. I have not found any vets willing to give quantity discounts for reptiles. At 40 bucks an animal, that gets prohibitive. In the long run, knowledge is power, quicker treatment for your animals (you can check them any time you like), and a break for your pocketbook. A microscope and scale (for taking their weight for dosing) may be somewhat expensive initial investments, but the cost of treating 4 or 5 animals at a vet could be higher.

Just be sure that you learn how to do it correctly.

It's not as difficult as you might think, and it's often veterinary assistants who are taught to check fecal samples for parasites. You can learn it just as easily.

You mentioned getting a book. What one would you recommend. Sound like a great idea. My collection is starting to grow fast and worms would wipe out my checking acount. Great post. Thanks
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Have a Nice Day
Andy
www.thegeckosecho.com

I believe the classic book on the subject is "Understanding Reptile Parasites"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882770218/104-5511044-2007154?vi=glance

And while it is true that captive-raised mealworms are "clean" and should not carry parasites, but even captive raised crickets that you buy elsewhere commonly carry WORMS. But worms are very easy treat yourself with Panacur as long as you have the right materials and supplies and have a scale and know the dosage, many breeders treat every six months with panacur, as worms are pretty much inevitable in any geckos fed crickets.

I recommend "Understanding Reptile Parasites: A Basic Manual for Herpetoculturists & Veterinarians" by Roger J. Klingenberg, DVM

There are photos of cysts, eggs, and worms, (as well as ectoparasites and protozoans) and complete instructions on how to make a slide, identify them, and treat them, including some doseages for common medications, and how to administer them. There are many photographic illustrations to clarify important points and instructions.

The book is copyright 1993, but all of the information appears to still be valid and correct. It was published late enough to include a warning against ever using ivermectin with turtles or tortoises, for example.