Site Menu
 

  Home
  About  Dr. Gecko
  Link To Dr. Gecko
  Contact Dr. Gecko
   
  Captive Husbandry
  What Is A Gecko?
  Selecting A Gecko
  Housing Your Gecko
  Feeding Your Gecko
  Breeding Geckos
  Gecko Behaviors
Health & Medical
  Common Problems
  Medical Techniques
  Special Topics
  Therapeutics
  Veterinary Care
 

Glossary Of Terms
  References Cited
 

Common Medical Conditions and Health Problems: Internal Parasites: Protozoans
  Background Information
  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.
  Amebiasis
  The most common amoeba found is Entamoeba invadens which is highly pathogenic in certain reptile species, while at the same time not causing overt disease in other species.  It can have both a high morbidity and a high mortality in captive reptiles.

Reptiles may become infected by this parasite by ingesting food or water that have been contaminated with fecal matter containing the cysts of the amoeba (ie stools from another infected reptile).  This parasite has a direct life cycle.

Common Symptoms:

  • Anorexia
  • Dehydration
  • Weight loss.
  • Ulcerative gastritis and colitis.
  • Dysentery with blood and mucus.
  • Liver and kidney problems (abscesses, necrosis and inflammation).
  • Death

Diagnostic Methods:

There are several different techniques available to your veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of amebiasis.  These could include:

  • Complete physical examination.
  • Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
  • Fecal exams - specifically finding cysts or trophozoites in direct smears.

Treatment Options:

Common treatment options include the physical removal of the flukes and/or the use of Metronidazole.  Metronidazole is also referred to as Flagyl and can be administered PO (orally).  The gecko is usually dosed daily for approximately 5 to 10 days.

Because bacterial infections are common with this amoeba, broad spectrum antibiotics may also be needed in some cases.

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 amebiasis, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.  Treating the gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT eliminate the problem!

  Coccidia
  Coccidia is a common parasite with a direct life cycle.  The most common genera of coccidia found in leopard geckos include:
  • Caryospora
  • Cryptosporidium - see below.
  • Eimeria - potential pathogens.
  • Isospora - potential pathogens.

A leopard gecko could be infected with coccidia by coming into contact with food, water or other environmental items that have been contaminated fecal matter from another infected reptile.

Common Symptoms:

The symptoms exhibited will vary from gecko to gecko and will depend on the severity of the problem.  They could include:

Diagnostic Methods:

There are several different techniques available to your veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of coccidia.  These could include:

  • Complete physical examination.
  • Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
  • Fecal exams - specifically finding the oocysts of the parasite on direct smears or even fecal flotations (the stools must be fresh!).

Treatment Options:

The most appropriate treatment option includes the use of Sulfadimethoxine.   Sulfadimethoxine is also referred to as Albon and can be administered PO (orally).  Follow-up fecal exams after the completion of the treatment period is recommended.

When dealing with medical problems such as coccidia, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.  Treating the gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT eliminate the problem!

  Cryptosporidium
  Cryptosporidium is also a coccidian parasite but it is extremely pathogenic.  One must use extreme caution when dealing with this parasite as it can be very easily transmitted to humans where it can cause disease.  

Please click HERE  for a detailed medical discussion on: Proliferative Enteritis in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius) Associated with Cryptosporidium sp. Infection

Cryptosporidium has a direct life cycle and can easily threaten the health of any reptile that comes into contact with it.  It is believed to be spread by exposure to food, water and the environmental items that have been contaminated with feces containing the sporulated oocysts shed by other reptiles.  It is highly contagious!

Common Symptoms:

The symptoms exhibited will vary from gecko to gecko and will depend on the severity of the problem.  Cryptosporidium can cause severe irritation to the intestinal walls of a leopard gecko. The symptoms could include:

Diagnostic Methods:

There are several different techniques available to your veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of cryptosporidium.  These could include:

  • Complete physical examination.
  • Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
  • Fecal exams.
    - It may be possible to identify the oocysts on direct smears.
    - Acid-fast stain technique is preferable.
    - Several fecal samples may be required until you have a positive identification.

Treatment Options:

At the moment, there is no known cure for Cryptosporidium although there has been a great deal of success in the past using Trimethoprim-Sulfadiazine administered PO (orally) to stabilize a reptile.

Supportive care is essentially all one can do at the moment for an infected gecko. This could include the use of fluid and electrolyte therapy, as well as nutritional supplementation.

The prognosis for an infected gecko is poor and euthanasia may ultimately be necessary depending on the severity of the problem.  Some leopard geckos can live for several months after being affected while others may live for several years before passing away.

When dealing with medical problems such as cryptosporidium, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.  Treating the gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT eliminate the problem!  As with other parasites, it is recommended that you wear gloves while handling the infected gecko.

  Flagellates
  As with some other species of internal parasites, small numbers of flagellates in the leopard gecko may be a part of its natural flora and in low numbers it may not lead to overt disease.  

The most common flagellates found in the digestive and urogenital systems of leopard geckos include:

  • Trichmonas
  • Giaridia
  • Leptomonas

Flagellates are spread through the ingestion and/or exposure to food and water that has been contaminated with fecal matter containing the cysts (which are the infective stage of the parasite).  They may also be passed from one reptile to another during mating.

Common Symptoms:

It is believed that the potential for disease with respect to these parasites is often the result of a combination of the flagellate and another parasite or another pathogen (ie bacteria such as Pseudomonas or Aeromonas).

Diagnostic Methods:

There are several different techniques available to your veterinarian to help determine the possible presence of flagellates.  These could include:

  • Complete physical examination.
  • Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
  • Fecal exams - specifically using a direct smear method.

Treatment Options:

The most appropriate treatment option includes the use of Metronidazole.  Metronidazole is also referred to as Flagyl and can be administered PO (orally).  Follow-up fecal after the completion of the treatment period is recommended.

When dealing with medical problems such as flagellates, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.  Treating the gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT eliminate the problem!
  Still Confused Or Concerned?
  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!

Copyright 2002.  All Rights Reserved.  Disclaimer.