"I got worms"

[rustyshackleford]

So we took Rusty to the vet a little while ago, vet said he looked really healthy, he eats and poops like a champ. He hides and basks and runs around and swims and eats salad and seems happy. The vet called today and told us that he has Isospora coccidia and pinworms. She wants to put him on Fenbendazole and Sulfadimethoxine. She did not answer our questions thoroughly enough for me to have confidence in the treatment, but just sort of forced all of this medication on us, as if there isn't a choice. If there isn't, that is fine, but she wasn't clear on that either.
Wondering if anyone can answer any of these questions.
1. Can he die from Isospora coccidia?
2. Can he die from pinworms?
3. Can he live with Isospora coccidia?
4. Can he live with pinworms?
5. Has anyone ever gone without treating this and what are the signs the worms are causing him problems?
6. Can you get rid of either by simply cleaning his cage THOROUGHLY and FREQUENTLY?
7. Couldn't he also die from the stress of me forcing him to take medication daily?
As much as I would like to believe that the vet is looking out for his best interests, my inner pessimist sees all of the money she stands to make from all of the treatments and appointments he will have to go to. It is not about the money to me, but I do not want to kill him with stress or medication.

 

[AHBD]

How old is Rusty, and what are his length + weight ? Small dragons are affected more adversely by the meds simply because of their size. It wipes out their good gut flora , so they need a probiotic to restore it. [ like Acidophiliz+ or Benebac] If there are high counts of coccidia [ usually it would make the dragon act sickly ] and pinworms, you would do well to treat. You might hold off if he's small, healthy + eating well and keep his tank very clean. I know that vinegar, the white, redwine, and cider vinegars are good for killing germs. You can put 1/4 cup of vinegar in plastic tub of hot water to sanitize anything. I'm not positive that it would work for coccidia, but red wine vinegar is reportedly 100 times stronger than bleach and should kill just about anything. Easy to rinse things after because there aren't toxic fumes left like there is with bleach. You should p.m Drache613, she's a moderator that knows alot about what level of coccidia is dangerous , so ask your vet what levels your dragon has and Tracie [ Drache613 ] can give you some good input.

 

[rustyshackleford]

Thank you so much, I will find out what his levels are and pm her. That is one of the questions the vet wasn't clear on. He is about 3 1/2-4 months old and about 11in from nose to tail, 40g. I figure a smallish otherwise healthy little guy like him shouldn't be loaded up with medication. I don't want to traumatize him unless it is serious or if he is acting differently for prolonged periods of time.

 

[AHBD]

That's a reasonable outlook, sometimes meds. put them off their food and bring problems, especially for a small dragon. If he looks + acts healthy, I think he'll be fine. Keep a friendly relationship with your vet though.