Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do I have to clean out my whole tank if my uro has parasites?If so when should I clean it out before or after I start treating him?

thanks

Some of that may depend on what kind of parasites (how they're transmitted, etc). I dealt with two kinds at the same time - pinworms and coccidia - and was VERY careful to keep the enclosure clean through the whole process.

I administered the first dose of medication, then emptied and sanitized everything in the tank. Poor kids lived on towels with paper bags for hides for the duration of the treatment. I removed and washed the towels every day, replaced the bags every day, and completely sanitized the tank every *other* day.

It was lousy hard work, but they were clean of parasites after, and no problems since.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Uromastyx Maliensis (Tank and Turtle)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras (Frank and Jesse)
0.0.2 Dwarf Sucking Oto (Tootsie and Dum-Dum)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

hello there
i don't want to seem insincere but that image of the lizards in paper bags made me laugh! it's like hobos living in cardboard boxes, but lizard style. i am glad that they all ended up ok.
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

I am actually using medicine as a precaution I am not sure if he has parasites.Hes active eating pooping basking etc and his poop doesn't have any white things in it.I am really just giving parazap as a precaution so should I sanitize everything?

Why would you give medicine if there's no problem? Medicines can be hard on the lizard's system, so if there's no need, don't do it.

For example, you wouldn't dose yourself with arthritis medicine, just because you may have it, though there are no symptoms. There's no need, and beyond that, you may not know that prolonged arthritis medication can cause kidney problems.

So, in my opinion, it's not good to dose animals with any medicine unless they need it. If you suspect parasites, get a fecal check done by a vet, and have them prescribe the CORRECT medication for the problem.
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Nicki and...

1.0.0 Liasis mackloti savuensis (Savu python) - Bazzi
0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - Dragon and Belle
1.1.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

Ontario, Canada

It's parazap.I thought I typed it ,woops.