Eimeria questions

[kngofnwyk]

My 2 oldest dragons about 12 - 14 months old have both stopped eating, I'v been trying to get a fecal done but no poop,finally 1 of them went, had a fecal done and was positive for Eimeria, the vet said its not normal for him to have that and doesn't know how he contracted it and would call me back tomorrow after she spoke to a specialist, I asked for a count and she said she can't give one until after she spoke to the specialist, shouldn't it be on the results? When one of my dragons tested positive for something there was always a number of how bad it was. I asked if she has any experience with dragons, she wasn't very pleased it seems I had offended her in some way.After some research I found its a type of coccidia, why wouldn't she just say that is it cause she really didn't know what it was ? I just finished treating one of my females for coccidia(not the same vet this one is a herp vet but a 2 hour drive and VERY expensive, I don't wanna take him there unless I have to) they never came in contact but if there were crix left in any tank I would throw them back in with the rest could he have contracted it like that ? I stopped that about 2 months ago when I stopped crix. Also I boil their dishes to disinfect them, but I boil all their dishes together can that spread it to one another, shouldn't boiling it kill everything ? Any help, input or experience is greatly appreciated.

 

[Cammy]

Eimeria is one of the two species of coccidia commonly found in bearded dragons. It's not that rare for a beardie to have it, so I'm guessing your current vet doesn't have that much experience with beardies. I know the herp vet is farther away and expensive, but I'd take your beardies to them whenever possible. Taking them to a vet who does not specialize in exotics could actually cost you more in the long run if they pile you up with unnecessary tests and ineffective treatments. Plus, as you can see for yourself, they will likely waste time as well.

I'm almost certain your beardie contracted the coccidia from the crickets. If you put the crickets in the infected beardie's cage, they could have easily come in contact with fecal matter and carried the coccidia back to the colony. Even if your cage looked clean, coccidia oocysts are very hard to kill. Boiling water does kill them, so it should not have been passed by way of the dishes.

You should assume both beardies have coccidia if they are displaying the same symptoms and were eating from the same cricket supply. I'd get them on albon and acidophilus as soon as you can. Good luck!