Clarification on faecal results

[iamkeir]

Hi all,

I posted about my gecko a while back when he appeared to have a strange turn (What's wrong with my crestie?...) - and everyone was really helpful (thank you!).

At the time I sent a faecal sample to a local vet to be on the safe side but they mucked it up so I ended up going to the independent company people have recommended in the past called Pinmoore Animal Laboratory Services who were absolutely superb - cheaper than vets, more thorough examination, and results were emailed to me within a few days.

Anyway, the good news is the results all came back negative EXCEPT there was a not alongside the negative result for Yeasts which said "+ Aspergillus flavus present - most likely environmental contaminant - thorough clean of habitat advised".

An initial Google search hasn't given me more info about this or whether it's anything to worry about - does anyone know what this means? I am usually very good with cleaning his viv so I'm a bit perplexed... unless I need to be cleaning more often? At present I clean approx once a month.

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[SleepyD]

I don't have cresties however with my leo's I spot clean every day to remove feacal matter and give fresh water etc, then a partial clean (general wipe down, change moss/paper and hoover) every week and a full strip clean at least once a month (more often if needed)
As the lab has advised you I would thoroughly clean the viv and up the frequency of cleaning after that

[awh]

its a type of fungus
i would take everything out of viv and steralise it and wash the viv out with a reptile safe disenfectant

Aspergillus flavus | About Aspergillus flavus |

[Paul B]

Its a fungus probably brought about by the high humidity in the viv. It may have something to do with the substrate you are using harbouring the spores and the gekko breathing them in or maybe ingesting them.

Are you meticulous about the fruit foodstuffs and not leaving them in for too long as they do go mouldy very quickly.

I am not a expert on mould but dampness and low ventilation will most definately promote this.

P

[iamkeir]

Thanks for all the comments.

It's possible that the tank is too humid - it's a converted fish tank with a mesh front so I've always misted twice a day as I was concerned it would dry out too easily... perhaps it's gone the other way, and I'm keeping it too humid.

There's no substrate btw, just newspaper... perhaps that could be the problem? That's the only part of the tank I cannot sterilise, obviously and many human hands... I'll probably switch back to kitchen towel.

I'm gonna get a hygrometer to keep an eye on humidity and also do one massive clean as advised, and increase my cleaning regime (perhaps similar to yours, Sleepy D).

Anyone know what the implications of AF are for my gecko?

[iamkeir]

Oh, and regarding food - I pretty much only feed him CGD (occassionally with mango mixed in)... and I leave it in for two nights as he only usually eats new food on the second night...

[Paul B]

Hi

I have found mould on that food after 36 hours so i put it in at 12 noon one day and replace it at 12 noon the following day.

A yeast like culture needs sugar I think so it maybe the food getting a bit mouldy.

sorry but i have no idea about the risk to the gekkos but I know that this mould has a cancerous risk in humans.

P

[iamkeir]

Cheers - I'll keep a close eye on his food as well as cleaning him more regularly/misting less/kitchen towel instead of newspaper.

I also have a plant in there, so I'm gonna make sure any faeces etc are cleaned out of the soil too.. and/or add pebbles.

Probably worrying too much but better to be safe. I think these little things should help. One person advised me that you can never get a tank 100% clean/sterile, so bacterias and fungi are always going to be common, so I guess it's just about reducing the amount to a safe level.

Would still be interested in what harm AF can do... will do some research...

Thanks

[iamkeir]

I emailed PALS to find out more about AF and they very kindly provided the following information:

From your results you will see that you have a healthy Gecko, we report Aspergillus species as this can be a common environmental contaminant in a moist environment. It is unlikely to affect your Gecko whilst it is healthy, however, if they become run down, it is possible that it can cause respiratory infections. This is why we advise total cleansing of the environment and replacement of any substrate such as moss, sand or bark. Aspergillus can be found normally in these substrates and it can be advisable to microwave your substrate prior to putting it in to the tank. Aspergillus spores from the environment pass through your gecko, as in this case, with no ill effects, however, if large numbers are inhaled, this is where respiratory infections arise.

Really useful to know. Have to say I'm really impressed with PALS - far better experience than with my local vet. They've been far more professional and they turned around my results very quickly. The full test cost me £35 I think.

[iamkeir]

My mate Phil found out similar info to corroborate this:

Aspergillus flavus is a very common fungus, essentially it's going to be present in the faecal sample if there is general poor hygiene in the viv (either there's enough around that it is present in his digestive system, or else the poo was not fresh and had time for fungus to begin growing on it.) It can be pathogenic and result in respiratory infections so that's why they advised an environment clean anyway.

Big clean about to commence!