Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my book that I bought on EBay, and it's the best $4.00 I've ever spent.
I got
"Understanding Reptile Parasites
A Basic Manual for Herpetoculturists & Veterinarians"
by Roger J Klingenberg D.V.M.

It's a little bit old but DAMN it has a lot of good info... I've been reading it all night. I knew some of it from experiece and from the internet, but this is just so much more detailed. I highly recommend it for anyone in the herp world! I just thought I would share so that a lot of you can invest a few bucks for some worthwhile info (PS: if not on ebay i know places like LLLReptile carry it for like $6 or $7).
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com

I just got my book that I bought on EBay, and it's the best $4.00 I've ever spent.

...it was $10 bucks for me then the $900 I had to spend for the microscope so my wife could do the fecals! LOL!
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Rick-Geckoland USA

Since I had a leo that died from internal parasites months ago (he showed almost no symtoms beforehand), I went and got this book and a microscope so that I could do fecals myself on a regular basis (say once every 2-3 months).

This combo is so helpful, I posted on Friday about a new baby that I got on Wednesday night has diahrea (sp?), I had a look at the waste with a microscope, with the info from this book, I believe it has Strongyloides, so I can take it to the vet as soon as possible.

ps. my microscope is only $189.00

$900 microscope!!?!?!? HOLY DAMN. I've been looking on ebay and I found some decent ones for under $200. That $900 one must be awesomely good!
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com

The "Reptile Parasite Identification Chart" by Klingenberg is excellent - big color photos. Got it from The Bean Farm.

I didn't know it was that easy to do a fecal at home. I already have a microscope and I want to get a fecal done on one of my geckos, and would like to save the money and 40 mile vet trip. Does anyone know of any websites that elaborate on the subject, or should I shutup and buy the book?

It takes experience to be able to identify a lot of the more troublesome protozoa such as flagellates and coccidia.
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chickabowwow

I actually plan on doing my own, and having the vet do one until I feel comfortable in my abilities. If I don't find anything I'll take another sample to the vet and have them double-check for me. If I do find something, I'm going to have them do one so they can help me with the medicine and dosages. I figure after a while of doing this I should be able to do my own.

Obviously, when I have a leo that is sick and I don't find anything, I'll still have to take it in, or if my treatment isn't working.

And I am likely going to buy that chart as well.
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com