Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got the temps high enough so that his basking spot has parts he can bask on that are in the 90's, parts he can bask on that are in the 100's, and a part that's even over 110. So he has a pretty good choice of basking spots, and it's definately not winter anymore. Lately in the morning he goes and hides before I wake up, and he stays there unless I take him out. It seems like this is a pretty good sign of parasites, but I don't know how to get a fecal to the vet. He only goes in the tub right now, and he hasn't been eating well. Do you think the vet will let me bring in a fecal from the tub? I'll have to call up and ask. I'm just really worried about this though, because he's had parasites since I got him. I should have seen it coming at the reptile place, but I didn't think about it. He's already been treated for pinworms, coccidia, and something else that starts with an S. After that he seemed fine and went into brumation. Maybe during brumation trace levels of somesort of parasite in his system grew to unsafe levels and he's feeling the affects?

I guess I'll really just have to ask the vet about it, but I want your opinion. Also, are these some things that can be caused by a parasitic infection:

-lack of appetite (especially for vegetables).

-Very infrequent bowel movements (probably a result of the lack of appetite).

-Inactive...just wants to sleep (seems like something parasites would do, though I don't think the other ones had an affect on him in this way.

There was some other stuff too, but I can't remember it right now. I'm not sure what his last bowel movement looked like, since it was in the tub, but it didn't look good, basically. I've just gotta figure out a way to get a sample in. Maybe this is what's been causing all these problems. I'm actually sort of hoping so, because I want to get him healthy and eating right by summer.

clean (disinfected) rubbermaid type tub, or are you bathing him in the bathtub? If you use the bathtub, do you disinfect it each time you use it? If not, you may be reinfecting him with something (pseudomonus, for instance) each time he bathes.

Those do sound like red flags for parasites.

As for the fecal.... my vet won't let me bring one in unless it's less than a half hour old. Otherwise I have to bring the lizard in and they do a sort of enema (they are very gentle.) The feces have to be VERY fresh. I think that if you get them out of a bathtub they might be mixed with other things that could screw up the results. I'm not sure, best thing is to ask your vet.
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Less than a half hour old? What if he goes while you are at work or something? He must get an enema everytime! I know fresh is the best, but I have had to refrigerate mine overnight. The last time I did this, my dragon did have coccidia, so I know I know the refrigeration did not impede the diagnosis. Now we are going through Coccidia treatments again. Fun is.

I just take it in on the weekend when I can grab it and go. My vet is only 5 minutes away.

It doesn't matter, the fee is the same whether I bring the feces or take in the lizard. But they want it as fresh as possible.
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)