Wow! Thanks for all the advice, Julie. He definitely said that I did not have to change out the substrate in the cage, which now alarms me after hearing your response. He is a very reputable reptile vet here, and he even raised geckos for many years in the past. Hmmmm... I will be sure to take these two in for follow-ups to ensure healthy fecals and get the substrate changed tonight. It has been exactly a week today since I started "syringe" feeding the skinny one turkey & rice and beef & vegetable baby food. I do not see any signs of weight gain. Am I expecting results too soon? Thanks again! :o) Tobey ------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated Tue, 27 Nov 2001 2:03:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, Julie Bergman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > Thank you for the reply. > > The vet did not say what family the parasite was from. He just called it "whip >worm". I guess I'm just a little curious as to how this suddenly showed up since >they were treated for parasites right after I brought them home, and this one >apparently was not present at that time. > > From what you are saying, a fecal analysis was done at that time and the geckos were >treated for the specific parasites found. Is that right? Were follow-up fecals done? >Some parasites may not be shedding when the fecal is done the first time, so even if >it was there it may not have been "caught" then. This is one of the reasons why >follow up fecals are so important. > > > I asked if I should change out their substrate, and he said it was not necessary. > > Big UH OH! I hope you misunderstood him, or he should take some reptile medicine >courses ASAP. If a parasite is found or even suspected, the substrate would be the >first thing to be trashed. The terrarium and everything in it should be sterilized. >Paper towels should be used as a substrate until a clean fecal is produced. Parasites >have a million places to hide in the substrate. They are usually passed into the >substrate by feces. The geckos walk on the substrate, may walk on the feces, lick >feet, presto, reinfested after the > treatment is done. This is just ONE scenario, there are many others. > > > I just want to make sure they do not get it again after being treated this time. >It is very expensive for me to take them to the vet as he specializes in reptiles. > > Indeed, so it pays to have good advice and medicine in this department. > > So where do parasites come from? Here are some scenarios: > > *In one or more geckos when purchased from the pet store. > *Living in the food items. > *Living in the substrate of the food items. > *Living in the water in the reptile cage. > *Transported from one reptile kept in the facility to another via human hands or via > other shared items like crickets. > *Living in unsterlized terrariums or cage furniture from a previous reptile. > > How's that for starters!? > > My best tips for keeping a clean gecko environment. > > *Sterilize everything you use in the reptile terrarium. If you cannot and it was >used with > other reptiles, throw it away. > *Use only paper towels with new acquisitions. This way you can see the feces and if >they > are not firm and healthy looking you will know it right away. You can also keep >close > track of how much food the new guy is actually eating. If they do not pass these >two > tests within two weeks, poops and eats well, then you had better get a fecal done >soon. > *Use latex gloves or wash hands between contacting different reptile terrariums. > *NEVER RECYCLE FOOD BETWEEN TERRARIUMS! Toss uneaten food. > *Quarantine is always a smart idea. > *Keep food bins clean and sterilize them on a regular basis. > *Geckos from these situations should be quarantined: > - Pet shops (I hate to say all but this is a good bet for parasites). > -Wild caughts. > -Captives bought from unknown breeders at reptile show. > -Geckos bought from people who are not willing to disclose their husbandry >practices. > > Please add to these tips and lists and and I will make a care sheet out of it. > > Julie Bergman > http://www.geckoranch.com > GGA lifetime member > > ########################################################################### > THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION LISTSERV > WebSite: www.gekkota.com Archive: [EMAIL PROTECTED]/ > The GGA takes no responsibility for the contents of these postings. > ###########################################################################
