Parasites

[ReptileAddiction]

Hello. I am pretty sure my dragon has parasites. His poop smells horrible. It smells like a rat died a couple of weeks ago when she poops. She is also very small for her age. She is only 156 grams at 10 monhts. Most dragons I see at her age are huge compared to her. I can not figure out why though. She grows very slowly. I have had her since a few days old so I can tell you basically everything about her past. When I first got her I cold not get her to eat for the first month. She ate barely enough to live. I figured out she eats like a camp outside the cage though. I am going to order panacur right now to see if that helps her problems. If she doesnt have anything I know it will not hurt her. If this doesnt help what should I do? The closest DECENT vets are far and will cause undue stress. If I was going to send in a fecal how would I send it?

 

[lwilson3]

Are there any fish or reptile shops near you? A lot of them have microscopes and check their own fecals, at least around where I live. I take Maynard's to the specialty shop where I bought him. Sometimes they may also have the meds on site.

Sorry I'm not any help with your other questions. Maynard had parasites and his poop smelled similar. Someone else will be on soon, but they might want to know the following info:

Tank size:
temps (warm side, basking, and cool side):
What do you use to measure the temps:
What kind of UVB bulb are you using:
What kind of light are you using for the basking spot:
How far are the lights from where your beardie can get to:
Substrate:
What does your beardie eat:
Bathing:
How often do you clean the tank:

I might be missing one or two things, but if someone needs the info above it might help get things rolling to have it posted

Also I'm sure you know this already, but it's very important to remove the poop from the viv and sanitize the areas around it, especially if you think there are parasites. I was told to lay down a paper towel substrate that could be easily changed out while he was on medication and to remove all furniture that couldn't be sanitized.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

I live near lllreptile Ill call them and ask.
His cage is a 30 inch by 12 inch I know its small her 4 foot cage is being built
His basking temip s 105-115 I know it is a bit hot but he can thermoregulate
I am using a reptisun 10.0 coil I know she should have a strip but she will get one with the new cage
I am using a normal 75 watt heat bulb
she can get within 15 inches from the uvb/a and within 8 inches of the heat
substrate is newspaper
She eats daily with a few mini mealworms and once a week crix as many as she can eat
She is bathed once a week
I clean the tank the second I notice the poop

 

[lwilson3]

Has there been any undigested worm parts in the poop? I know mealworms can cause impaction pretty easily. We fed them to Maynard at first when he was tiny and he'd always have problems passing them. That might also be why she isn't growing as quickly as other beardies. Hopefully someone nearby will be able to check the fecals. You might try non-repti vets. Some might be able to identify the parasite under the microscope. Lots of people do it themselves at home, so if you took in pictures of the various parasites and the vet had at least a little knowledge in looking at fecals, he might be able to at least give you a yes or no so you can move from there.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

She has been regurging for like the last month any protein I give her because I screwed up and she was not geting warm enough. All of her mealworms other than that are fully digsted. She is big enough to be eating mealworms. She has only been eating the mealworms for only about a month. If she was impacted I would be able to figure it out. Thank you so much for your help!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ReptileAddiction]

What do you recommend to disinfect the cage? I have been using a vinegar and water solution.

 

[lwilson3]

I'm not sure. We used a bleach/water mix and since he was on tile we rebaked them. While we were treating we used paper towels and replaced 2x daily. It depends on what type of parasite he has. Some can be removed with one treatment, and others can be removed with another. Hopefully someone who knows more will reply. Any news on if there's somewhere nearby to do a fecal?

 

[ReptileAddiction]

No I got home very late and I know it won't help if I call after hours. I will call around today.