Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After recently feeding a gerbil to my corn, I noticed what appeared to be a few roundworms in the stool. They are about 1.5 to 2.0 cm in length. Roundworms are listed as an indirect parasite. I take it to mean that the complete life cycle is not in the reptile.
Do roundworms in snakes come from prey items, other snake feces and contaminated water, or all of the above?
Is the same species of roundworm known to parasitize both rodents and reptiles?
Is the recommended medication Panacur at 50mg/kg twice at one week intervals administered orally?
Do you dissolve it in water?

...to a qualified Veterinarian and have a fecal done to determine the best wormer and if that is indeed what needs to be done. If any animal has one type of parasite it is more likely to have another. Medications are specific to the type of parasite(s).

>>After recently feeding a gerbil to my corn, I noticed what appeared to be a few roundworms in the stool. They are about 1.5 to 2.0 cm in length. Roundworms are listed as an indirect parasite. I take it to mean that the complete life cycle is not in the reptile.
>>Do roundworms in snakes come from prey items, other snake feces and contaminated water, or all of the above?
>>Is the same species of roundworm known to parasitize both rodents and reptiles?
>>Is the recommended medication Panacur at 50mg/kg twice at one week intervals administered orally?
>>Do you dissolve it in water?

Roundworms are frequently acquired from prey items. That is one of the benefits of using frozen/thawed food items.

If you found larval or adult roundworms in the stool, it may or may not be indicative of an infestation in your snake. You will need to have a fecal analysis performed to see if there are viable ova present.

The term "Direct", does refer to the life-cycle of the Roundworm. A direct life-cycle means that the parasite does not need an intermediate host to reproduce, mature and infect an animal. An indirect life cycle means that an intermediate host is required.

Treatment of choice is Fenbendazole (Panacur). You will need the guidance of a veterinarian for dosing and treatment intervals, if it is determined that there is an active infestation.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

If roundworms were found, how could it not indicate an active infestation? Does freezing kill the eggs/woorms in the prey item?

>>If roundworms were found, how could it not indicate an active infestation? Does freezing kill the eggs/woorms in the prey item?

They can be found in the snake's stool if the prey item the snake ate was infested. Some of them will just pass through the snake's digestive tract.

Yes, freezing for at least 3 weeks will kill the worms, larvae and eggs.

By the way, are you absolutely sure they were Roundworms?
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm not certain that they were roundworms, but they did look like the pictures I have seen. About 15cm long, curved and 1 to 2 mm in diameter. Where can I purchase fecalsol to do my own flotations?
Thanks for your replies.

You can buy Fecasol as well as Fecalyzer kits from any veterinary supply house. You will also need a good quality microscope (if you don't already have one) and something for staining (Lugol's Solution works well for this).

I keep a lot of snakes and already had the equipment on hand anyway. For the price that you'll pay for the equipment and supplies, you could have the vet do a lot of fecal exams at about $25.00 each. A good medical grade microscope will run you at least $1,500.00. You can get by with less, but you get what you pay for.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson