Kashmire update - internal parasites

[rabernet]

Adam,

The vet just called me and Kashmire's fecal came back positive for three strongile parasites. He has an appointment for Saturday morning for his first de-worming using Panacur (sp?). They are going to have to tube him to de-worm him, and he has to come back in two weeks for a follow-up de-worming.

So, any other advice that I need to do husbandry wise? He said that these strongiles are blood suckers.

Anyone else heard of these, and/or know of his chances for survival? The vet seems to think that the de-worming will take care of it for him. He's not going to charge me an office visit, just for the deworming procedure.

Should I keep him off feed until some time after the second de-worming? I know that the intubating of him is going to put stress on him.

Now I'm really worried over the little guy!!!

Robin

[SatanicIntention]

Poor lil' guy. He probably has hookworms and two that I cannot name right off the top of my head. They are blood suckers, and if the infestation is big enough, the snake(or any animal) can become anemic. I'm not sure if one deworming is going to get rid of them all, because when any new rats or other animals I have had have needed deworming, I did it everyday for a good solid week(or if it is coccidia, everyday for 3 weeks is needed).

I really don't see what the need for tubing him is. If you just open his mouth slightly with a ruler or other flat object such as a credit card, then you can slip the wormer in that way. Tubing is for horses back in the 70's when they needed such copious amounts of dewormer to get rid of any parasite(I'm talking gallons...). With such a small snake, the dewormer is going to be less than 1-1.5cc's. But still, panacur only gives them diarrhea which may or may not flush the parasites out. See if he can use Strongid(pyrantel pamoate) instead, which affects the parasite directly through their nervous system(I think? Darned Equine class, LoL). You can go to the feed store and get a good dewormer, but I wouldn't think you would be comfortable deworming the snake by yourself(especially if the boyfriend doesn't want anything to do with him)

And yes, no feeding for at least a few weeks. The regurgitation as well as the deworming is going to kill off any beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. Letting the snake recover for 3 weeks or so without food will help build up the good stuff, and let him heal. Just keep him well hydrated and leave him completely alone. You can use the pedialite to give him electrolytes and other nutrients which will help keep him hydrated as well. But if he is drinking enough water, then it shouldn't be a problem, it's just the pedialite may help him through this process a little quicker(the glucose, electrolytes, etc). Keeping him nice and warm will help greatly in the healing process.

I hope he does well for you, and let us know how everything goes.

[rabernet]

Thanks Becky! I will certainly inquire about all the things you told me. I actually spoke with Adam today, and he thought that the Panacur would be good along with asking the vet to also dose with Flagyl. I will be sure to print these suggestions and take them with me! All suggestions are certainly welcome!

He does drink water each evening, so that's somewhat of a good sign. I didn't want to force feed him the Pedialyte, so I just put a capful of it into his regular water, which seemed like a good dilution, and the fact that he won't eat for a few more weeks will allow his electrolytes to build back up.

I'm hoping for the best for my guy!

Robin

[rabernet]

Becky,


Thanks to your post, Kashmire is going to another vet this evening. The one that did his fecal test has only seen 9 snakes in 30 years. The one I'm going to this evening is their herp vet, so I'm going to feel much better going to him AND I can get him started right away on his meds.

I have printed up your post to take with me, and Adam tells me that you just completed a year of parasiteology (sp?), which I'll be sure to tell the vet as well, so he knows this isn't just some random post from the internet.

Only thing is, this FIRST vet didn't write down the exact type of parasites, so they can't fax that over, so I'll be paying for another fecal or swab. Fun, fun! I'll report back later!

Robin

[frankykeno]

You're getting stuck for another parasite test....that hardly seems fair though I'd do the same and have it repeated and all for the sake of snake and proper treatment. Darn it all somebody should have been professional enough to keep proper notes for your snake's records though.

I hope all will be okay with lil Kashmire given time, good care and proper meds. I know all of us here in this forum will be pulling for him.


~~Joanna~~

[rabernet]

OK, back from the second vet, who I LOVE, by the way. He has owned snakes himself, and you could tell he was very fond of them. He gave Kashmire a wellness check, even humored me and checked his mouth (I'm paranoid about EVERY possible illness too, and since don't know what mouth rot looks like asked him to just check...A-OK!).


I was told the office visit would be $48 and fecal about $28. He did not take another fecal, said just knowing that he tested poitive for ....whatever those things are called, I left the paper in the car.....was enough for him to decide the treatment. He also prescribed Panacur and dosed him and wants to see him in two weeks.

The FIRST vet was going to charge me $20 for each de-worming. So, I walked in expecting to pay close to $100. I walked out paying......$17.10 for the whole thing. He charged me $15 for the visit (and I talked to him for 45 minutes, Adam can attest what a talker I am), and $2 for the medication. The receptionist said he always charges less for snakes, since he loves them so much.

I walked out a very happy camper! He goes back in 2 weeks for another dose. He said other than the parasites, he looks happy and healthy, but would like him to feed next week, one hopper.

I'm off to go disinfect his enclosure (he said to mist with 1 part cholorox to 10 parts water and let dry, then clean as normal). Going to throw out real bark 1/2 log hide since things can get in crevice, and soak the other hide and water dish and make a hide for the cool side to replace the one I'm throwing away. No little parasite eggs allowed!!!! LOL

Robin

[daniel1983]

Sounds like you have a good vet on your hands

[tigerlily]

And it sounds like you have things well in hand! You'll have one happy and healthy snake in no time

[MARCUS ANTONIUS]

Sounds like you have a good vet on your hands

I completely agree with Daniel, he sounds like a great one... I only hope that I can find someone close to here who's that knowlegeable and caring toward snakes. Didn't you mention before that he was around Atlanta?

I wish you and Kashmire the best of luck!! We're cheering you on!!

[rabernet]

Marcus,


Yes, he's actually in Marietta (are you in metro Atlanta?). They stay open until 8 pm M-Thurs which is wonderful for me and my commute, I don't have to leave work early.

I'm assuming he went to school at UGA, because he kept talking about when he was a poor student in Athens and the snakes he had then.

I've also been looking for a new vet for my dog, so I think I've found a new veterinary home. My last vet seemed to always be blowing smoke and I just never trusted him. We also got into a big fight last time when I "dared" to disagree with him on something. I work hard for my money, and I will spend it where I'm treated with respect! Ha! LOL

Anyway, he's not the vet I thought I wanted to make Kashmire's primary vet (I wanted to use the guy who consults with Zoo Atlanta's reptile collection), but after last night, he won the "spot"!

Robin