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 Common
Medical Conditions and Health Problems: Internal Parasites:
Nematodes
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Please read our Disclaimer
before reading any further into these common problems. As
with any medical problem, we strongly recommend that you
immediately contact your veterinarian for assistance. |
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There are over 100 different species of
Ascarids that can affect reptiles and most seem to be
species-specific and have the potential to cause extensive
damage to the host. They have an indirect life cycle
as they develop via and require an intermediate host (often
several intermediate hosts) which is part of the food source
of the gecko itself.
Ascarids tend to reside in the gastrointestinal tract of
the gecko and can reside there in low numbers without
producing overt symptoms of disease.
Unlike several other parasites that can affect leopard
geckos, it is believed that ascarids will feed upon the
ingested matter of the gecko instead of the gecko's actual
tissue fluids. They can often cause secondary
malnutrition because they absorb the nutrients that the
gecko is supposed to absorb.
Common Symptoms:
The ultimate effect that the roundworms will have on the
gecko will depend on a variety of factors including:
- The number of the parasites present.
- The amount of food that is available to the host (ie
the gecko).
- Any other diseases or medical conditions that may be
present.
- Local tissue inflammation.
The most common symptoms tend to include:
- Regurgitation
- Anorexia
- Weight
loss.
- Gastritis or gastric ulceration.
- Intestinal obstruction or obstipation.
- Granulomatous inflammation.
- Death if left untreated.
As the worms/larvae migrate throughout the gecko's
organs, they have the potential to create the opportunity
for bacterial infections to set in.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques
available to your veterinarian to help determine the
possible presence of ascarids. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specifically finding the ova in the feces.
- The possible presence of worms/larvae in the feces/
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally).
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing
with medical problems such as ascarids, 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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Although filarial nematodes are rarely seen in
reptiles, they are diagnosed periodically. These
parasites have an indirect life cycle and are transmitted by
various blood-sucking arthropods such as ticks, mosquitos
and even leeches in some cases.
Common Symptoms:
In heavy numbers, filarial nematodes can cause serious
problems in the circulatory system. They can also
cause:
- Edema (swelling).
- Ulcers
- Blisters on the skin.
- Thrombosis (can lead to secondary necrosis).
- Aneurysms
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques
available to your veterinarian to help determine the
possible presence of filarial nematodes. These could
include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Finding microfilaria (not eggs) on direct examination
of blood smears.
Treatment Options:
Filarial nematodes are quite tricky to treat if present
in leopard geckos as the most commonly used treatment is
Ivermectin. The key though to treating filarial
nematodes in the first place is to prevent the transmission
of these microfilaria by these types of arthropods.
When dealing
with medical problems such as filarial nematodes, 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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These parasites have an indirect
life cycle and are transmitted to a leopard
gecko when it eats one of the intermediate
hosts. Although little is known about
these parasites as this time with respect to
reptiles, it is known that they tend to reside
in the gastrointestinal tract of the
geckos. They may also be found in various
other organs as well.
Common Symptoms:
There are few overt/clinical signs of an
infestation in leopard geckos. However, if
present in high numbers, your may notice
decreased hepatic (liver) function.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different
techniques available to your veterinarian to
help determine the possible presence of hepatic
worms. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of
husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specifically finding the eggs on
fecal flotations.
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally).
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing with medical problems such as
hepatic worms, 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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Hookworms are extremely common in leopard geckos and have a
direct life cycle (which means that high numbers of
parasites can build up quite quickly). A gecko can
become infested with this parasite either by the larvae
penetrating the skin or by the gecko ingesting contaminated
food or water sources. Essentially these parasites
will attach themselves to the lining of the intestines and
will feed on the gecko's blood.
Common Symptoms:
- Anorexia
- Weight
loss.
- Anemia.
- Bloody and/or mucus-laden stools.
- Hemorrhagic ulcers.
- Peritonitis
- Severe inflammation.
In severe infestations, hookworms can also cause
intestinal obstruction and/or intussusception.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques available to your
veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of
hookworms. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specially finding the eggs in a fecal
flotation.
- When present in high numbers, you may be able to see
the parasite in the feces.
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally).
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing
with medical problems such as hookworms, 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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Of the different types of lungworms, it is Entomelas
that is periodically seen in leopard geckos. Because
lungworms have a direct life cycle, they can build up
to a large load very quickly in captive situations.
They typically become a problem as a result of poor
husbandry practices that include
- Poor/improper hygiene.
- Environmental temperatures that are too high.
- Environmental humidity levels that are too high.
These parasites will reside in the pulmonary cavity of a
leopard gecko.
Common Symptoms:
- Anorexia
- Weight
loss.
- Excessive salivation.
- Respiratory distress.
- Mouth gaping.
- Rapid and irregular breathing.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques available to your
veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of
lungworms. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specifically finding the eggs in a fecal
flotation.
- May also find the larvae and eggs in the sputum.
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally). The veterinarian may decide to administer
this drug at a slightly higher dose than for most nematodes.
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing
with medical problems such as lungworms, 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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There are easily more than 100 different species of oxyurids
that could affect reptiles. Each of these have a
direct life cycle and a leopard gecko can become infected
with pinworms via exposure to food and water sources that
have been contaminated with infested fecal matter.
Pinworms typically reside in the lower gastrointestinal
tract of leopard geckos and may not cause any overt signs of
disease. They may even be beneficial in small numbers
as they can prevent constipation by breaking up fecal
matter.
Common Symptoms:
In small numbers, pinworms may not cause any overt signs
of disease. However in higher loads, you may see:
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques available to your
veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of
pinworms. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specifically finding eggs on a fecal
flotation.
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally).
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing
with medical problems such as pinworms, 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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Although stomach worms primarily occur in lizards that eat
ants and other such intermediate hosts, we though it would
be worthwhile to briefly mention it here. Stomach
worms have an indirect life cycle.
Common Symptoms:
- Inflammation
- Gastrointestinal tract obstrcution.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques available to your
veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of
stomach worms. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specifically finding eggs on a fecal
flotation.
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally).
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing
with medical problems such as stomach worms, 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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Strongyloides have a direct life cycle and leopard geckos
can become infested with these parasites either by:
- Ingestion of food and water sources that have been
contaminated with infested feces.
- Penetration of the skin by the parasite.
Strongyloides primarily inhabit the digestive tract of
reptiles.
Common Symptoms:
- Diarrhea,
often with mucus-laden stools.
- Can cause respiratory distress if the larvae migrate
into the lungs.
- Fluid and electrolyte loss.
Diagnostic Methods:
There are several different techniques available to your
veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of
strongyloides. These could include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
- Fecal
exams - specifically finding larvae in fresh
samples (collected within minutes).
- Fluid
replacement therapy if needed.
Treatment Options:
The most common treatment option is the use of Fenbendazole. Fenbendazole
is also referred to as Panacur and can be administered PO
(orally).
As with most medical problems, it is critical to maintain
the ideal temperatures throughout the gecko's environment
during treatment.
Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment
period is recommended.
When dealing
with medical problems such as strongyloides, 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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Still Confused Or Concerned? |
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If you would like more information or further
assistance, or just want to chat some more about leopard
geckos, please feel free to post on the Reptile Rescue,
Canada Leopard
Gecko Forum! |
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Copyright 2002. All
Rights Reserved. Disclaimer.
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