Reptile & Amphibian Forums

With all the confusion about diagnosing crypto I thought I would contact a veterinarian I know to get his opinion. His name is Dr. Mike Garner a board certified veterinary pathologist who owns his own pathology service (NW ZooPath)in Washington State. We send all of our exotic pets pathology and cytology to him. Great guy, very knowledgable. Any how here's his recommendations:

Best means of diagnosis are cytologic examination of gastric lavage using a variety of special stains, and histologic examination of gastric biopsies,these are the most specific and sensitive techniques availble. Fecal examination, ELIZA, immunoflourescence etc are suboptimal.

Just thought I'd throw his 0.02 in the bucket!
Sincerely,
Roly
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Miami Hurricanes #1
NATIONAL CHAMPS 83,87,89,91,01

>>With all the confusion about diagnosing crypto I thought I would contact a veterinarian I know to get his opinion. His name is Dr. Mike Garner a board certified veterinary pathologist who owns his own pathology service (NW ZooPath)in Washington State. We send all of our exotic pets pathology and cytology to him. Great guy, very knowledgable. Any how here's his recommendations:
>>
>>Best means of diagnosis are cytologic examination of gastric lavage using a variety of special stains, and histologic examination of gastric biopsies,these are the most specific and sensitive techniques availble. Fecal examination, ELIZA, immunoflourescence etc are suboptimal.
>>
>>Just thought I'd throw his 0.02 in the bucket!
>>Sincerely,
>>Roly
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>>Miami Hurricanes #1
>>NATIONAL CHAMPS 83,87,89,91,01

Yep, I know for a fact that it can be reliably diagnosed with a gastric lavage and acid-fast staining.
However, gastric lavage applies ONLY to snakes. For Lizards and others, the Crypto accumulates in the intestines, so an intestinal lavage would be needed.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Good to know. I really don't know much more than the basics about crypto and have been silent through much of the great info posted. However, I do know a great pathologist and consulted him for some info. Just seems evryone here has had such bad experiences with vets, I thought I contact the right vet. I guess thats really the name of the game, finding the right one. I'm sure most people find vets who are willing to see reptiles instead of ones who are qualified.
Thanks again,
Roly
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Miami Hurricanes #1
NATIONAL CHAMPS 83,87,89,91,01