Herps and Parasites

[IamKaervek]

This is something I've never heard of in my not-so-extensive herp experience, so pardon my ignorance. I was wondering if it's possible for a reptile (particularly a Leopard Gecko, in the case of a possible adoption for me) to have worms. The people responsible for the Leo now says that the Leo is underweight, but eats "like a champ." I was wondering if there's a parasite that can infect the Leopard Gecko, much like worms in cats or dogs, that can "steal" the nutrition away from the food the animal eats. Provided I can get some reliable information on possible reasons for low weights in a lizard that's apparently eating regularly, I'd like to adopt him and provide him with the appropriate veterinary care and husbandry so as to allow him to recover and live a long and healthy life. He's already 6 years old, and I'd hate for him to have the last 4 or 5 years of his life be so lackluster...

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!!

[SatanicIntention]

It would be very easy to just get a fecal sample and take it to the vet to have it tested. Reptile parasites, for the most part, are easily treated with dewormers such as pyrantel pamoate(strongid) or panacur(not my drug of choice but easily found and used).

Roundworms can deprive the animal of needed nutrients as can tapeworms, and hookworms can cause the animal to be anemic as they such blood. Coccidia and giardia are both protozoans and can cause bloody diarrhea, anorexia(not eating), and weight loss.

Good luck with the 2nd gecko, and if you are thinking about putting her in with your current gecko, I wouldn't until she's been fully cleared of any and all parasites. You don't want your first cutie pie getting them.

[IamKaervek]

Excellent feedback (Becky, is it?) SatanicIntention! I'm attending the monthly Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society (website) meeting on December 18th, and that's where I'll be able to see the gecko for the first time and decide on whether or not to adopt him. How old can a fecal sample be before it's no longer of use for the person inspecting it? I might ask the current owner to save a sample and bring it with him and the gecko, and then I can take it to a vet the next day, making my final decision based upon the findings.

Also, are these medications sold over-the-counter at certain places, or by prescription only? Are they spendy?

Also, I don't intend on housing them together at all until any and all issues are taken care of, and the male puts on the appropriate amount of weight.

Thanks again, it's been most helpful.

[SatanicIntention]

Fecal samples can be 24-48 hours if refrigerated. Just put it in a baggie or small pill bottle.

Some dewormers are OTC from the feed store, but they are not expensive in the least from your vet who will be doing the fecal, so why not just get it at the vet while you're there. At the least it will save you a trip and improperly dosing the animal. I get dewormers from the feed store, but being a vet tech, I am comfortable dosing my own animals(a gram scale is important in this aspect).

For such a small gecko, dewormers should cost anywhere from $5-$10, and the fecal can be from $10-$20 depending on the vet. After the deworming treatments, take a fecal sample back after 2 weeks or so and get it checked again to make sure everything was successful.

Hope this helps