| Tapeworms tend to be more common in those
reptiles that eat fish or amphibians, and not overly common
in leopard geckos. Tapeworms have an indirect life
cycle require an intermediate host (such as a feeder
insect), and it is not easily spread. A leopard gecko
that ingests an insect harboring the parasite, can develop
tapeworms.
Common Symptoms:
When present in low loads, there are usually no overt
signs or a problem. In higher loads however, one may
see:
- A decrease in appetite and
weight
loss.
- Inflammation and swelling.
- Actual lesions that may become infected.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques
available to your veterinarian to help determine the
possible presence of tapeworms. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - seeing the ova (eggs) in a fecal flotation
or even in a smear.
- Seeing a tapeworm in an excreted stool.
- Seeing small rice-like pieces (proglottids) of the
tapeworm in the stool.
Treatment Options:
Common treatment options include the surgical removal of
tapeworms and/or the use of Praziquantel.
Praziquantel is also referred to as Droncit and can be
administered PO (orally) or IM (intramuscularly). The
gecko is usually dosed again in 2 and possible again in 4
weeks.
When dealing
with medical problems such as tapeworms, proper personal hygiene,
quarantine
and disinfection
techniques are absolutely necessary. Treating the
gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT
eliminate the problem!
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