--- Whitney Price <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> In particular, two nematode and two cestode species
> have been reported:
>
> >Are these species associated with mucoid stools as
> was reported by the
> original posted question?
I have no data as to the answer to this. I have seen
many degrees of infection, but I have never personally
made a connection between infection and mucoid stools.
Most complaints regarding cestode and nematode
infection are due to overinfestation that leads to
malnutrition. S. obvelata has been known to cause
intestinal blockage and intussusception (did I spell
that right?) in cases of large infestations, but
otherwise there are few health complaints associated
with infection.
Are these microscopic
> species or can they be
> seen?
D.translucida - little data that I could find.
H. nana, H. diminuta - These are cestodes (tapeworms)
and are distinguishable with the naked eye at
necropsy. There is usually no perceptible macroscopic
evidence in fecal matter.
S. obvelata - A pinworm, also macroscopic as adults. I
have found dead specimens in the stools of heavily
infested gerbils, but usually they are not visible in
average infestations.
Tests for the presence of all of the above usually
include extracting eggs from fecal matter in a
laboratory procedure.
>Parasitic?
Without doubt.
Amy aka MScottMGP
American Gerbil Society
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