I wanted to get a little feedback from folks regarding coccida. I have 3 pet store rescues (2 are babies), 2 rehomed adult rescues and 2 babies from breeders. So far coccidia has shown up in 5 out of 7 of my beardies. Out of those 5, 2 are adults and 3 are babies.
2 adults = high counts, lethargy and one had blood in her stool so they are being treated with albon.
1 pet store baby has a 4+ high count but he is a total pig, growing like crazy and does not seem to be affected by it. Not treating him yet.
1 petstore baby has a questionable count but he is so small (he was less than 5 inches long but is now 5 1/8th of an inch) and recovering from negligence that I do not want to treat him yet and I'm not even sure how the vet would accurately determine his dosage and how I could correctly administer him such a tiny amount anyway. When I got him he could barely move and had severe dehydration and his eyes were messed up. He is eating pretty good now and is still improving but hes only 6 grams.
1 baby has a very low count and came from the breeder that way. She is eating well and not being treated.
All beardies are housed separately with minimal tank decor and shelf paper to make cleanup easier. I have decided to clean like a maniac with quats and steam, remove and clean poops asap. We wash hands after touching them or their tanks to avoid cross contamination. They are all getting reptaid, acidophils+ and electrolytes as supplements. All of their appetites have either improved (or in the case of my piggy stayed the same) and all have gained weight and are growing (the piggy with 4+ grew 2 inches in like 2 weeks and hes starting another shed now). I would like to keep medication at a minimum and avoid medicating the babies alltogether to give them a chance to get the coccidia counts down to a low level on their own.
If the albon and Reptaid helps them get rid of the coccidia then fabulous. If not, I am prepared to accept them having low levels of coccidia as long as they are healthy, growing, not losing weight etc. I have no intention of breeding and I don't want to needlessly freak out about it. Some folks seem to get really upset if any coccidia shows up in a fecal and are not satisfied unless it is eradicated completely. My herp. vet seems to think that complete removable is nearly impossible. I am also considering badgering him for a prescription for Ponazuril if I can't get it under control with albon (but I would still like to wait for the babies to get bigger before treating them with anything unless they start having problems).
Has anyone had a group of healthy looking beardies that had low levels of coccidia that did not affect them adversely? How about babies between 6-30 grams? My baby with the highest count is actually the healthiest in appearance and has the best appetite and the highest growth rate which makes no sense. Coccidia treatment seems to be very subjective but I would be interested in your experiences.
2 adults = high counts, lethargy and one had blood in her stool so they are being treated with albon.
1 pet store baby has a 4+ high count but he is a total pig, growing like crazy and does not seem to be affected by it. Not treating him yet.
1 petstore baby has a questionable count but he is so small (he was less than 5 inches long but is now 5 1/8th of an inch) and recovering from negligence that I do not want to treat him yet and I'm not even sure how the vet would accurately determine his dosage and how I could correctly administer him such a tiny amount anyway. When I got him he could barely move and had severe dehydration and his eyes were messed up. He is eating pretty good now and is still improving but hes only 6 grams.
1 baby has a very low count and came from the breeder that way. She is eating well and not being treated.
All beardies are housed separately with minimal tank decor and shelf paper to make cleanup easier. I have decided to clean like a maniac with quats and steam, remove and clean poops asap. We wash hands after touching them or their tanks to avoid cross contamination. They are all getting reptaid, acidophils+ and electrolytes as supplements. All of their appetites have either improved (or in the case of my piggy stayed the same) and all have gained weight and are growing (the piggy with 4+ grew 2 inches in like 2 weeks and hes starting another shed now). I would like to keep medication at a minimum and avoid medicating the babies alltogether to give them a chance to get the coccidia counts down to a low level on their own.
If the albon and Reptaid helps them get rid of the coccidia then fabulous. If not, I am prepared to accept them having low levels of coccidia as long as they are healthy, growing, not losing weight etc. I have no intention of breeding and I don't want to needlessly freak out about it. Some folks seem to get really upset if any coccidia shows up in a fecal and are not satisfied unless it is eradicated completely. My herp. vet seems to think that complete removable is nearly impossible. I am also considering badgering him for a prescription for Ponazuril if I can't get it under control with albon (but I would still like to wait for the babies to get bigger before treating them with anything unless they start having problems).
Has anyone had a group of healthy looking beardies that had low levels of coccidia that did not affect them adversely? How about babies between 6-30 grams? My baby with the highest count is actually the healthiest in appearance and has the best appetite and the highest growth rate which makes no sense. Coccidia treatment seems to be very subjective but I would be interested in your experiences.
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