Cryptosporidia??????

I have a friend of mine who has an albino Columbian that may have Cryptosporidia. I say maybe as he has not been able to get it to a vet yet but from the look of the animal it looks like a picture of Cryptosporidia I have in one of my reptile health books. Assuming this is indeed Cryptosporidia, does anyone have any clue what to do for the animal or what to expect??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottNBecky

I have a friend of mine who has an albino Columbian that may have Cryptosporidia. I say maybe as he has not been able to get it to a vet yet but from the look of the animal it looks like a picture of Cryptosporidia I have in one of my reptile health books. Assuming this is indeed Cryptosporidia, does anyone have any clue what to do for the animal or what to expect??

---

Crypto does not "look" like anything. It is protozoal infection that presents in several ways - most of which are also the symptoms of scores of other ophidian afflictions.

Crypto cannot be cured - only contained.

Well ok fair enough lol but the picture I saw was a slightly bluish swelling or mass around mid body in the belly area which is exactly what my friends boa has. Agreed that could be a lot of things I guess I was just trying to address the worst case scenario. What else do you think it could be? And other than a vet trip (which is planned as soon as he can) what would be some things he could do to help this animal? It is eating still but is underweight and it sheds but with some difficulty. Thanks again and thanks for the quick response.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottNBecky

Well ok fair enough lol but the picture I saw was a slightly bluish swelling or mass around mid body in the belly area which is exactly what my friends boa has. Agreed that could be a lot of things I guess I was just trying to address the worst case scenario. What else do you think it could be? And other than a vet trip (which is planned as soon as he can) what would be some things he could do to help this animal? It is eating still but is underweight and it sheds but with some difficulty. Thanks again and thanks for the quick response.

---

It could be one of many things. That swelling around the mid body area is common in gastric issues/inflammation of the stomach lining. While crypto can certainly cause this, so can other afflictions - for example adenovirus. Same with shedding issues and vomiting - they can be cause by viral, bacterial or protozoal issues.

Not to sound short, but the only thing this animal needs is a trip to the vet.