Parasites? Do I need to treat with meds?

[Webley]

I just took in my ball to the vet and he did a fecal test and found protozoa parasites. He gave me meds to administer daily for the next few weeks. The problem is i have four balls in a rack system and chances are all of them share this parasite. I'm taking the others into the vet next week too.

My question, is it really necessary to treat these parasites with meds? don't most animals have some level of harmless parasites? From what i have read on protozoa they only become dangerous to the animal if their living conditions are really poor. Does that mean really dirty cages that haven't been cleaned in weeks, or just poor temp control and dirty water?

I don't really want to pay a ton of money to treat something that isn't immediately endangering their health as long as i keep proper care. What are your opinions about, or experiences with protozoa parasites?

[barbie.dragon]

Parasites are never "harmless". They're parasitic meaning they do not hate a symbiotic relationship with the host. They reap benefits for themselves at the cost of the host. So yes you have to treat them all. If an organism living on/in an animal was harmless they would not be called a parasite.

[DooLittle]

Where is skiploder? This would seem like a good spot for him to chime in...

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[kitedemon]

Yes these are not animals in the wild where the host to parasite is likely to be come balanced. In captivity it is possible that the parasites will be concentrated and not held in balance causing problems for the host.