Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took 3 of my geckos to the vet. They were tested for crypto all negative. I was told they had something in their poop and that is why they stopped eating and got diarrea. The vet gave me Metronidazole and has me give them a small amount everyday. I also have others with the same problems that I have been trying to treat. After over a week half are starting to eat a little and still have diarrea but 2 that I brought to the vet and 1 other 1 now keep their eyes closed. Some 1 and some both eyes closed. If they open their eyes the eye looks ok not sure what to think of this. they are going back to the vet but they can't get them in till next monday. Thanks for input.
Sorry if this is typed bad I did it from my cell phone.

well, they are nocturnal. they might just be relaxing. mine do this often when they are napping, etc. i've not heard of an eye problem like that (other than loss), but i would guess that your vet would know best.
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marla
currently: 0.0.9 catfish, 0.1 ferrets, 2.8.2 leopard geckoes, 0.0.15 oriental fire-bellied toads, and 0.2.0 sugar gliders

You have to make sure to clean the tanks often or else they can re-infect themselves and stay sick for a long time. Make sure you take out the poop everyday (not every 2-3 days but EVERY day). Replace the substrate everyday; use paper towels to make it cheaper and more convenient. Give them fresh water everyday. Clean the food and water dishes everyday. And replace the humid hide substrate everyday.

That might sound extreme, but this is what you have to do to help your babies get better. Metronidazole is used to treat protozoa and bacteria, which are all extremely contagious.
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chickabowwow

Hey xelda

I do have them in disposable tupaware that has paper towels in the bottom that I throw away everyday and every 2-3 days I wash the containers in the dishwasher (I typed the last message on my phone and didnt give all the details sorry). Do you think that the medicine could be causeing them brain problems and that is why she keeps her eyes closed? When I handler her she keeps one closed. She has opened the other eye a little and I see that it doesnt look bad she just doesnt try to open in. About how long of medication/treatment do you think it takes before the geckos really start to act normal? Thanks again for the info.

Im not saying what you're doing is wrong, but in case someone else is having similar problems and reading this, I would suggest that you handle them as little as possible.
As zelda mentioned a clean, sterile, quiet environment with as little stress as possible is best.
Best of luck and keep us informed

It depends on the concentration of the medicine and the dosage. Do you know what your vet prescribed? Metronidazole is commonly administered once, with another follow-up or two after 3-4 days. It's possible to give smaller doses daily, but I prefer giving fewer doses since it puts less stress on the geckos.
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chickabowwow

The vet is having me give it to them every day. She says it is less stressfull on the gecko (not saying she is right). She said give them between .03-.05 depending on their weight. She also told me that if they are not reponding to the meds that their are other less easy was to treat them?? What would this be?? Well I go back in on Monday. I left last time wondering if this lady was correct and this time if they dont get better I have to go some where else. The last visit costed me $300.00 and they are still sick. They better not try and charge me another $300. Well I will let you guys/girls know how it goes and thanks for all the help.

That doesn't really make much sense. It's more stressful on the animals to give them medicine daily because it means you have to disturb them and handle them more times than if you gave them fewer doses. The only way it'd be stressful is if you give them more fluid than their body weight can handle, but this problem can be eliminated by boosting up the concentration which most vets can do safely.

$300 is a lot. Was this just for a normal exam with fecal tests, or did you have x-rays and blood tests done? My current vet charges $30 a visit. That pays for my time with her not the number of animals I bring. The $30 also includes a free fecal flotation and medication.
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chickabowwow

Yeah I think it is stressfull on them to be force feed meds everyday. I can tell they dont like it and like I said some are now keeping an eye or both closed they arent happy.

The 300 was for 3 animals(they charged for each 1 to be seen) and 3 fecal exams, she said she wanted to take blood but wouldnt cause they were thin,and 2 crypto tests. She combined the poop of the 2 smaller ones to keep the costs down. $50 bucks for 1 poop test of crypto. I have no clue if these are reasonable prices but at this rate I will go broke before they get better.

I don't think it was necessary to start off with a crypto test for that very reason. It requires an acid fast stain, which is a bit more complicated than just a normal flotation or smear.

Do you know what exactly she found in the poop?
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chickabowwow

She did tell me but I don't remember. I am going to see her Monday and will post back and tell you what she says. Thanks Agian.

Ok. Sorry it took a while but alot of things going on right now including some kids broke into my house (and only took alcohol). The Vet now says the 3 I brought has round worm and I now am giving them a different medicine. They were given the P medicine at the vet. I also have an apointment to bring in my other geckos cause some have diarea and some I am just worried about. 1 of the orignal sicky ones is now keeping her eyes closed all the time and wont open them and another one has a wierd foggyness to his left eye and he doesnt open it all the way. and he just got it since he went to the vet. I think the lady might have scratched his eye when trying to open his mouth with her finger nail. I am gonna call them tommorow and complain and I think I am gonna try and find a new vet. over $500.00 later and the geckos that they have been treating are only getting worse. and I have had 4 crypto tests done also all negative. What is the chance they could still have it? Sorry for the randomness I am super tired and now going to bed. Thanks for any info.