Cryptosporidiosis in Lizards

[Krista]

Originally Posted by luci76

I have had a disastrous start to owning 2 Leo`s, I had to have Coco put to sleep 2 weeks ago from having Crypto & off to the Vets tonight about my other one Lola, I think its best that she sould be put out of her pain, I have been cleaning her viv every day, it has been spotless to see if she could pass the parasite through, she is still not eating, runny poo`s when she does, and being sick.. Not even interested in a juicy Waxie.. I love her so much but the kindest thing is to put her out of her pain, WHAT A FRUSTRATING HORIBLE PARASITE IT IS

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear your bad news about your leo's. It's such a shame for your little leos and a shame for you to...

When I got my Beardie "Florence", she was a little under the weather. I got a sample tested (which I do as routine with all my pets) and it came back positive to every Parasite and Crypto.
I felt like the floor had been taken away from me...First Lizard...so I can really understand how you feel.

Florence was put on meds and that, touch wood, has seem to put everything on hold. She eats like a horse and although sometimes her poop is runny-ish, she seems to be in good health. Loves to come out for a tickle on her chin...However I take each day as it comes and I am realistic that I might have to do the very same trip as you. I'm just enjoying each day as it comes.

You are doing what any GOOD Lizard owner would do and give your little lola some dignity and a pain free sleep.

Thinking of you and sending lots of love and huge huggggssss xx

Jingle Bells.

[luci76]

Back from the Vets, My poor little Lola has been put to sleep, miss you already little girl I know she will be out of pain now, RIP Lola & Coco x

[leopardgeckomad]

Originally Posted by luci76

Back from the Vets, My poor little Lola has been put to sleep, miss you already little girl I know she will be out of pain now, RIP Lola & Coco x

so sorry to hear this

i had all my 15 geckos put to sleep about 5 months ago, but i didnt know what caused there illness they all started loosing weight and then had sticky eyes so couldnt see and there poos were as runny as water so i took them to a vet and put them down as everytime i touched them they were deffo in pain, i know i could of had them tested to see if they could of been treated but they were in pain and i didnt want to prolong it anymore.

anyway sorry for you loss

[Chromisca]

Just wanted to add my two cents on the importance of quarantine. A 90 day rule is not only recommended, but a must. A few years ago I took a leopard gecko off a friend who didn't want it anymore ("I have to feed this thing bugs? omg, gross..." Research much?)

Anyway, she was fine for two months, and then stopped eating, having diarrhea, regurgitating skin bundles, etc... Every crypto test I had done came back negative (the parasite sheds oocysts into the stools very intermittently). I spent about £500 in vet bills and eventually came to the decision to have her euthanized. Necropsy showed fatty liver disease, and the histopath? Crypto.

My friend had her for about a week, and I had her for four months. I never kept my geckos together, so never really had to quarantine, but my point remains valid.

My condolences to everyone that has ever lost an animal to this horrible parasite.

[jayfrog]

Originally Posted by luci76

I have had a disastrous start to owning 2 Leo`s, I had to have Coco put to sleep 2 weeks ago from having Crypto & off to the Vets tonight about my other one Lola, I think its best that she sould be put out of her pain, I have been cleaning her viv every day, it has been spotless to see if she could pass the parasite through, she is still not eating, runny poo`s when she does, and being sick.. Not even interested in a juicy Waxie.. I love her so much but the kindest thing is to put her out of her pain, WHAT A FRUSTRATING HORIBLE PARASITE IT IS

i feel your pain. im in a similar situation. my first ever reptiles, 2 leos called Alley and Marley. i am fearful that Marley has this awful parasite, she is so skinny and hasnt eaten for ages. waiting on her doing a poo so i can have it analysed but i fear the worst after reading this. she shows all the symptoms..

i recently sperated them, but is it too late?, will they both definately be infected if they were housed together? because ive noticed Alley is getting thinner as well now....

never again will I buy ANYTHING never mind an animal from Pets At Home..

[olivine]

Originally Posted by jayfrog

i feel your pain. im in a similar situation. my first ever reptiles, 2 leos called Alley and Marley. i am fearful that Marley has this awful parasite, she is so skinny and hasnt eaten for ages. waiting on her doing a poo so i can have it analysed but i fear the worst after reading this. she shows all the symptoms..

i recently sperated them, but is it too late?, will they both definately be infected if they were housed together? because ive noticed Alley is getting thinner as well now....

never again will I buy ANYTHING never mind an animal from Pets At Home..

Unfortunately crypto is highly contagious, so if Marley does have crypto then, sadly, it's very likely that Alley is infected too. If you can't get poop samples for faecal tests, try asking the vet if it's possible for them to do a cloacal flush; they may be able to obtain a sample that way. As has been mentioned already though, infected leos will only shed oocysts intermittently, so one negative result isn't conclusive; several tests may be required to confirm if your suspicions regarding crypto are correct

Personally, I'd contact P@H; it's quite possible that, if they've received a crypto-infected group of leos from a breeder, other customers have already made them aware of the problem.

[tango44]

A very interesting post - a company called chamcotec has formulated a sanitising spray that can be used for cleaning that is effective for both microsporidia and cristosporidium, should be on sale about now I think

[luci76]

Jayfrog Since writting this post I was so unsure of getting anymore Leos from the loss that I had, but now i have a male & female (Moko) & (mikka) , 6 months old doing great.. Mikka loves coming out to have a nose & chill & watch a bit of Eastenders with me LOL Moko Well not to be offensive a typical Male Unsociable LOL Absolute Great Creatures. just find a local breeder!!! I went in P@H the other day about to kick up a stink, a Leo was so under weight I asked about it, but said not for sale as having tests, nothing else i can do. FINGERS CROSSED FOR YOU

[Wigsyboy]

Can Cryptosporidium saurophilum be passed on to snake or Cryptosporidium serpentis on to a lizard?

Thanks,
Will

[creepy creatures]

Crypto is evil we lost a couple of geckos to it last year whilest our awesome vet was trying different meds, then we tried Paramomycin, it was great. It was a very long treatment 2 days in row to start then 2x a week for 2 months. The geckos didnt like the taste but unlike the other meds it didnt make them sick so they were able to keep weight on. Saved 2 geckos they are both doing well.