fecals not important? Think again...

[SleepyD]

I had a phonecall the weekend quickly followed by a visit by a worried leo owner ~ the leo (about 4 months old) had been rapidly losing weight, no appetite and lethargic ~ I had advised the owner to get a fecal done a month ago .... it didn't happen.
The reason for the late night call was what the leo passed (rather bloodily) ~ I've cleaned the following pics up but afraid the qualities not good....

actual size on a 3"x1" slide


close ups on blue background and white background



the leo is now finally undergoing treatment for worms and whatever other parasites it has.

So excuse me if I get antsy because people don't or won't have leo's fecal checked either when they buy them, or if advised too or if later the leo's go off their food, get lethargic, lose weight etc etc .........

Don't faff about, don't try and stuff them with waxies etc ~ get them bloody checked!

[beguana]

Well said!

[sam12345]

[maddragon29]

I weigh all of my animals weekly, and if they are losing weight two weeks in a row fecals are first things on the list!

They get done randomly about once a year too.

Well said!

[carpetman]

well said, not enough peoplke even know about them

[Slurm]

And i know where to send those fecals

[sam12345]

The other thing is people think that it needs to be a specialist reptile vet for feacals to be peformed.

This is certainly not the case, every vet should have the facility to do fleacal floats or slides themselves or have labs to send them to.

[SleepyD]

Originally Posted by Slurm

And i know where to send those fecals

not by my postie lol

Originally Posted by sam12345

The other thing is people think that it needs to be a specialist reptile vet for feacals to be peformed.

This is certainly not the case, every vet should have the facility to do fleacal floats or slides themselves or have labs to send them to.

*nods* to be honest there's no excuse for not having fecals done ~ as you said any vet is able to do a basic smear/flotation fecal test as reps are not the only pets who need them or suffer with worms/parasites.
Sadly didn't need fecals to see this bugger ~ it was over an inch long when held straight .... nearly a quarter of the leo's body length

[Bosscat]

Well said Sleepy D, how many times do we say forcefeeding is not the option with a leo showing those signs, and should only be considered AFTER a fecal has been done? For a leo to pass a worm of that size, it shows that they have been in the system for a while. I just hope that treatment is successful with her.

Anyone reading this with a leo who is not eating, losing weight, and/or lethargic etc..... FECAL PLEASE!!!

[MrMike]

Well said! Hope the little one turns out ok.