• Aspidogastrea
• Monogenea
• Digenea

It is the flukes of the Digenea order that tend to be the most common in reptiles (primarily snakes) although they can occur in leopard geckos.  This group of trematodes include:

• Refifers
  - Commonly found in the mouth, lungs, trachea, esophagus and pharynx.
  - Mostly observed in snakes.
  - Can produce lesions in the lung, with a secondary bacterial infection setting in.
  - Eggs are shed in the mouth and lungs and eliminated in the feces.
  - Diagnosed by the presence of eggs in the fecal examination.
  
  
• Spirochidae
  - Commonly found in the circulatory system.
  - Mostly observed in chelonians.
  - Symptoms include: anorexia, listlessness, fluid accumulation and may even      lead to a secondary infection setting in when the skin or mucus membrane is penetrated and irritated by the organism.
  - Diagnosed by the presence of eggs in the fecal examinations or in tissues.
  
  
• Styphylodoro (renal flukes)
  - Commonly found in snakes.
  - If left untreated, it can cause renal damage.
  - Diagnosed by the presence of eggs or adult flukes in the fecal examinations.

Because these flukes require an intermediate host, they have an indirect life cycle.  

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

• Complete physical examination.
• Detailed patient history and overview of husbandry.
• Fecal exams - sometimes the ova or adult flukes may be visual in the stool.
• Physical observation of flukes in the cloaca or even the mouth.
• Fluke eggs tend to be yellow-brown in colouration, and quite large.

Treatment Options:

Common treatment options include the physical removal of the flukes 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 flukes, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.  Treating the gecko alone without treating the environment will NOT eliminate the problem!