Help Interpreting Fecal Test Results - RIP Harry

[callum84]

Received my fecal test results for my 6 month old beardie today. I can see he has maybe a yeast infection and coccidia but would appreciate if anyone could give me some further info or pointers.
I have an appointment at vets on thursday morning but would be great if someone knowlegable could let me know what to expect and hopefully put my mind at rest.

Thanks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICROBIOLOGY

Culture Aerobic cultures show Ua heavy mixed growth consistent
with normal faecal flora.

Salmonella Negative

Campylobacter Negative
Yeasts POSITIVE (++)
plus ++ Aspergillus niger isolated
Direct NUMEROUS COCCIDIA SEEN
Cryptosporidium Negative
Concentrate NUMEROUS COCCIDIA SEEN and + Yeasts
No further ova, cysts or parasites seen

SENSITIVITIES Not indicated
*VETERINARY TREATMENT REQUIRED*

Please make an appointment and take this report to your
local exotic veterinarian to obtain relevant advice and
treatment

 

[ChewiesRoom]

Dunno if you still need this information but it might help. All report styles are different but they generally contain the same information provided you're testing for the same things.
Yeasts brought back Aspergillus niger a.k.a. black mold. Common fungal infection but I can't speak to it's presence in reptile fecal. Abnormally high concentrations of yeast creates an environment for it to grow.
"Direct" and "Concentrate" usually refer to the style of tests, I'm guessing direct to be a fecal float and concentrate to be a smear, in which fecal mater is placed directly on the slide. Things that show up on the smear might not on the float, but coccidia was reported on both tests, the yeasts being found on the smear slide alone.

 

[callum84]

Thanks for the reply, very informative. I was actually wondering the difference between the tests.

I had him at vet on thursday and she's going to prescribe something for the coccidia and something for yeast. Ive to pick it up on Monday so will post here what the meds are.

 

[ChewiesRoom]

Thanks for the reply, very informative. I was actually wondering the difference between the tests.

I had him at vet on thursday and she's going to prescribe something for the coccidia and something for yeast. Ive to pick it up on Monday so will post here what the meds are.

A "fecal float" is called as such because the fecal matter is separated into a solution at the bottom of a container. The container is filled with solution and a slide cover slip placed on top. The parasites float to the top and stick to the slide cover, (leaving all but trace amounts of fecal matter behind in the container) and transfer over to the slide once you put the slide cover on. This test is a bit easier to read because you don't have much fecal matter to look through as you search for parasites. It is not effective at finding some parasites however, and can also produce false negatives (working with dogs, we often find negative fecal results on dogs that are actually positive for parasites; we use the rule that if you can produce 5 consecutive negative fecal floats, you can assume the dog is in fact negative).
In a fecal smear, a sample of fecal matter is placed directly onto the slide and diluted with several drops of solution. The slide is assembled and viewed as usual. This test is a bit more complicated but can produce much more reliable results if you know what you're looking for.

Let us know what you're Rx'd for the parasites and yeast, I'm curious about the yeast in particular.

 

[MissT]

Aspergillus can also cause pneumonia so that should be treated IF it is definitely present - a mouth culture is usually carried out to confirm aspergillus and normal treatment is either itraconazole or nystatin. The reason it has to be confirmed via mouth culture is that it is usually found in plant matter therefore, fecal matter is a perfect spot for it (veggies being passed through your beardies system). It is pretty tough to get rid of - it took 3 rounds of meds before my beardie was clear of it...
Nystatin can also be used to treat the yeasts so will, probably, be the route your vet takes.

 

[callum84]

The vet never even mentioned the aspergillus so didn't realise it's significance. Well I hope it is the nystatin route then.

I've also been wondering about probiotics etc for after his treatment, where would I stand there with him being treated for both coccidia and yeast.

My vet has reptile experience but is not a specialist. When I handed in the fecal test report she had to research and discuss with a specialist before getting back to me with a suggested treatment, so any advice from you all is more than appreciated. I'll be sure to post up his meds on Monday.

 

[MissT]

Perhaps you should mention the aspergillus to her...

You can use probiotics with both meds - give the meds in the morning then probiotics in the afternoon/evening

 

[callum84]

I'll mention it on monday. I'm assuming it's already been taken into consideration with what will be prescribed.

Ive started cleaning regime of a full viv clean and soak in F10 disinfectant daily and steam clean every second day. Hoping I can get on top of this.

 

[ChewiesRoom]

TBH Asper is the least of your worries right now. Your vet will most likely want to get on top of the immediate threat (coccidia/pins) before they start treating any sort of yeast precursor.

 

[MissT]

TBH Asper is the least of your worries right now. Your vet will most likely want to get on top of the immediate threat (coccidia/pins) before they start treating any sort of yeast precursor.

Sorry, I should have said that asper treatment usually takes place AFTER worming treatment depending on the meds used and the frequency... I treated asper alongside pinworms - due to the frequency of the meds, I was able to do both at the same time. I just think its worthwhile to make sure that the asper DOES get treated in the long run.

 

[ChewiesRoom]

Yeah the Asper is going to grow as a result of the cocc/pin treatment, killing off the good gut flora allows the yeast to grow. Just like in dogs it's typically a precursor rather than a symptom.

 

[callum84]

Yeah the Asper is going to grow as a result of the cocc/pin treatment, killing off the good gut flora allows the yeast to grow. Just like in dogs it's typically a precursor rather than a symptom.

I'm confused now. Would the asper not be kept at bay with the yeast meds I'm prescribed along with coccidia.

Also what are the chances of him actually having asperigillus and not just passing it I'n his feces from something he has eaten?

 

[MissT]

Yeah the Asper is going to grow as a result of the cocc/pin treatment, killing off the good gut flora allows the yeast to grow. Just like in dogs it's typically a precursor rather than a symptom.

I'm confused now. Would the asper not be kept at bay with the yeast meds I'm prescribed along with coccidia.

Also what are the chances of him actually having asperigillus and not just passing it I'n his feces from something he has eaten?

The vet will probably advise treatment with yeast meds AFTER the coccidia treatment is complete. Or she may suggest treating it during a break in the coccidia treatement - it all really depends on the meds she prescribes and the frequency at which you are giving the meds.

There is a good chance it isnt present in a dangerous form - hence the need for mouth culture to confirm it.

 

[callum84]

Ah ok. I suppose I'll just need to wait till tomorow and see what's prescribed. I'll update on here. Thanks again for help

 

[callum84]

MissT, just reading through your thread on kazi on page 40 of 100 odd, quite a read lol. The photos were a shock, kazi is very much like our little guy!