XtinaBeardieMom
Juvie Member
My beardie Lotus's fecal test results just came back showing that she has a parasite called Nyctotherus. I can hardly find any information on this parasite, other than it's apparently some kind of protozoan. As far as my vet's knowledge goes, this parasite has never been found in a bearded dragon, and I can't find any other info to suggest otherwise. He said it's commonly found in tortoises and has been found in uromastyxes before as well. It's a parasite that can originate from some roaches, though I'm not sure if there's other possible sources. My vet said it wasn't anything to be too worried about and recommended a course of Metronidazole (only because Lotus has experienced chronic diarrhea - otherwise he wouldn't recommend any treatment)... which seems like the appropriate course of action. Does anyone else have more info about this parasite or what to do about it? The only roaches I've ever fed her have been dubias from reputable roach breeders, and from what I could find Nyctotherus is pretty rare in blaptica dubias, though they technically can carry it. I've had Lotus (rescue beardie) for about 6 months and she has ALWAYS had terrible runny poo and perpetual stress marks even though her husbandry has been confirmed to be correct by both my vet and everyone here on the forum, including Tracie. The vet said he is going to contact the herpetology and parasitic research departments Texas A&M University, as they would be very interested in this sort of thing and might be able to test my roach colony to see if that's where the source originated from *sigh* 
