Recently I notices some small foreign things in my toads' water pool. Briefly I was excited to think I might've had femaled laying eggs, but I quickly learned they wouldn't look like this.
At first they looked like tiny pieces of white rice. They I caught a few thrashing around at the bottom of the water dish. WHat they are exactly I don't know, but I think they're pin worms as they fit that description.
So I have a few questions, for the toads' well-being and mine.
1) Are worms common with toads, and are they always harmfull?
2) What's the best treatment options? Panacur and Parazap are what I know of, but am not sure on how to use or dose it correctly. When I ask online sellers of panacur for help dosing it on toads, they refuse to give anwers and tell me I need to consult a vet. I guess they have a fear of leaving their ass hanging out?... but I do not have a vet in my area that is worthy of helping me with my toads... they only know dogs, cats, and horses.
If anyone can give me some good specifics on utilizing either of these two, or any other treatment that can take care of my toads' worm issue. At this point I'm thinking about treating with Panacur untill I think the problem is gone.... then making Parazap an occassional part of their feeding regimen to keep the problem from returning.
3) Are there precautions I need to take aside from the obvious? In my reading on the internet, I've seen references to these parasite eggs going air-born?!?!? My open-air mesh toad enclosure is situated in my bedroom/livingroom only a few feet accross the room from my bed. Am I at risk to catch worms from my toads even if I wash my hands before and after changing their water etc? Can my cat catch them through hanging around outside of the mesh toad enclosure?
thank you
