Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If any of you have read any of my other posts you may know I'm having troubles with my new leo. We just found out today pretty much all of the herps at Petco, where I got my leo, have crypto. So we're are almost positve she has it.

I'd like to know if you have had a leo w/ crypto what you did. I'm thinking about euthenasia..would it be better to wait it out? I know she probably won't make it but just so she doesn't have to suffer until she finally dies. I'm very confused about what to do...any help would be GREATLY appriciated.

Thanks in advance

I think its better to get a fecal to the vet first; you can't just assume that this one has crypto, and then start thinking about euthanising (sp?) it. As you said, only 'most' of the geckos there got crypto, not 100%; there is hope, maybe this one doesn't have it. Good luck.

I did get a fecal..and she was full of worms and parasites. And all the leos come from the same breeder and they're all put in the same tank and I'm sure they don't clean those tanks well enough.

Worms and parasites can be cured though, as long as she doesn't have crypto. Did you ask the vet whether he found any signs of crypto there?

The worms & parasites were cured. She still isn't eating...I'm pretty sure it's crypto...

What is crypto?

I've never had crypto in my animals... but I know it is considered 100% fatal and an extremely slow death. The idea of putting down an animal that is OK now kind of sucks...but at the same time, you don't really want to make it suffer. I think the risk of spreading is too great to not put her down.

I've read this page (kind of far down, do a find for "crypto" in IE and it will take you right to it.
http://www.petno.homestead.com/Reptiles.html
Basically... it's a personal account of someone who's collection got wiped out by crypto infected animals from petco... the page obviously bashed petco, but did seem to have a first-hand viewpoint of it. They did NOT QUARENTINE their new animals... so yeah it sucks but it's kind of their fault. Take the following for what it's worth.

Here's a few quotes that stuck out to me:
"There is no cure, and for leopard geckos, it is 100% fatal."
"Once exposed, these animals would always be carriers, and would someday die of this disease"
"I found out that it was very resistant to disinfectants. The only way to kill it on surfaces was a 10% bleach solution"
"This means that these infected animals MUST BE DESTROYED in order to keep them from infecting other animals "
-----
Brian Skibinski
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com
WYSIWYG

Thanks...I'm really thinking about putting her down but I'd hate to do that and her not have it. But then again she hasn't eaten in a month...so that's probably what it is.