Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone !! I'm new here !!
I just came from bringing my uromastyx to the vet for a fecal analysis after suspecting parasites....which were confirmed & are being treated & the Vet suggested removing all sand from the enviroment permanently. He said sand breeds parasites. This is washed play sand. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THIS BEING A PROBLEM ?? I understand the sand can become impacted upon ingested & have not had any problems so far. The Dr said my Uro appears healthy & he suggested using cardboard or fake turf on the bottom & pillowcases or something washable to burrow....this sounds good during treatment but permanently ?? My Uro is in a 55 gallon aquarium right not & I am also concerned that by removing the 5 inches of sand the Uro will not be as close to the basking lights. I am bout to dismantle the cage now & clean it out but now I don't know what I should replace it with.
I have been reading your posts here for the last 2 days....while waiting for the next available appt. & I like the idea of the soil mix....I wonder what my vet would say to that ??
I think I'm going to replace the sand with.....clean sand.
What do you guys think ??
Thanks in advance.....Kristine

Sounds good to me! I use the soil mix in one cage, sifted bird seed in two cages, and playsand in two cages. Not sure which I prefer yet. The point would be to keep it clean. Which substrate can you do that best in?
Let us know what you choose! BTW, while he is being treated you might want to go with something easy to replace, like paper, or pillow cases. After treatment, then put in the new substrate.
Have fun!
Beth

I would use something that you throw away, like newpaper. Sand is going to be far too much trouble to keep clean during parasites, as well as soil, millet, and any other particulate substrate. You will never be able to get all of the soiled substrate out, and the uro might re-infect itself.

As for the vet suggesting to use the pillowcases or paper or whatever as a permanent substrate. Well, he's a vet, and he's most likely seen a lot of impactions from various substrates and in various lizards, as well as probably some bacterial problems from not keeping the particulate substrate clean. You could make the argument that "in the wild they are on dirt and sand" or "in the wild nobody cleans up after them", but you have to remember that that is in the wild. I don't know about you, but I personally don't want natural selection to kill off one of my lizards because their digestive system wasn't strong enough to pass something, so I am careful about using particulate substrates (I haven't heard of many impactions in uros anyways though...mostly bearded dragons and especially leopard geckos). Also, in the wild, they aren't in a closed container when they poop. Again, natural selection will also eliminate those that get parasitic infections in the wild if they are not strong enough to overcome it or live with it.

Just some thoughts, but to sum it up, probably the majority of reptile vets advocate the use of non particulate substrates, simply because they are safer on it. Not having a natural substrate will not decrease their life span (sometimes it will increase their life span) but I sort of think that if you do use one of those substrates (which are sometimes known as "sterile" substrates) you counteract it with a lot of other, natural things so that the lizard is still stimulated. Like I said though, I haven't really ever heard of problems related to impaction or bacteria with uromastyx, though parasites can be a problem, and you should keep that in mind.

Good luck

Don't feel bad I think everyone is a bit confused as to what substrate to use these days, LOL

I would follow the Vets advice for now, while hes being medicated. But after, you will have to make your own descision, though research, or trial and error, to see what you like best.

I myself have used washed playsand for 6 years with my reptiles.
4-5 with my 2 uromastyx, with no problems. But thats my findings and choice.

Hope everything turns out well and your guy does fine. You will have to post some pics for us.

Nice to have you!!

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Eve

You know my dentist says to brush 3 times a day and floss after every "feeding." I must admit, I don't stick to those rules that strictly. Many vets will suggest that very thing with only good intentions for the animal. However, while a sinple astro turf substrate may be neccessary while treating for parasites, the washed playsand should not be an issue in it's self.
Also, not to take anything from your vet, but do you know what parasites? Is he/she knowledgable of uromastyx? Find out which parasites if you haven't already, and read up on Doug dix's web site about the parasites that are needed to maintain good health.
I don't think changing from washed playsand is going to solve your problems unless there's other influences here.
Good luck to you and your little guy.
Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII