Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was cleaning cages today and noticed that my ATB had used the bathroom in his waterbowl.This is good since it made it easy to see the worms. Can i get some suggestions on how to treat this? And do you think it may have spread to other cages?

The ability of a parasite to infect another host depends on the type of life cycle. Some species of nematodes have a direct life cycle (no host needed), and some have indirect life cycles (intermediate host required). You will need to have a vet ID the species you are dealing with to determine the type of life cycle, and the appropriate treatment. If the life cycle of the species involved is indirect, it will not be able to move through your collection without access to an intermediate host, and therefore would be isolated within this one snake. If the life cycle is direct, it could infect other snakes in your collection through anything from direct contact, or from indirect contact with fecal material or contaminated water.

Kelly

I live in a small town with no herp vet nearby. Is there a web site that has pictures of parasites so i can try to identify them myself?

An exact species isn't necessary. Adult worms usually arn't that hard to classify enough (tapeworm, roundworm, etc) so that the treatment and general life cycle can be determined. Your local vet should suffice for this one.
You can also get a book on reptile parasites, search the bean farm, amazon etc. You'll still need the vet for a proper treatment IMO, but perscription/dewormer availability is different in the states (I"m in Canada).

Ian

I probably will take him to the local vet, but i would still like to have a identification guide. I have a fairly large herp room and would like to check everyone in it. The local vet has already said he wouldn't treat my venomous or caimans. That only puts about 10% of my animals having a vet they can see. I can use a microscope and can get the meds.

Identifying Reptilian Parasites by Dr. Klingenberg DVM 2nd edition is a pretty good guide that'll suite your needs. You shouldn't have a hard time finding it as it's a very common book.
Keep looking for a vet for hots and croc's. Worms arn't a big problem compared to what can happen and it's nice to have that security. If you need some hints on finding herp vets, just ask

Good luck!

Ian

The Worms family is a family from Frankfurt and England, tracing its descent from Aaron Worms of Frankfurt am Main in the middle of the eighteenth century.
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