So I gave a fecal to the vet and Milo has roundworms , and apparently a lot of them. He's going to be on meds soon, but I'm a little unsure of what roundworms exactly are, how does a beardie get them and are they similar to pinworms? Also, are they contagious? Thanks, oh Milo also went on antibiotics which took care of the RI. Poor little guy...
Roundworms are ascarids. Just another one of the parasites beardies can pick up. Chief got ascarids at 4 months old. We took him to the vet and gave him a treatment and he is nice and healthy today. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Every dragon gets parasites as some point. We've just got to be sure we take the proper action in time.
It can come from almost anywhere. It's hard to pinpoint. It can come from feeders, it could come from poop staying in the viv too long, which sometimes happens to those of us who work or go to school, stress also lowers their immune system and could allow for parasites to breed successfully. I wouldn't stop feeding the roaches just because he got parasites unless it becomes a problem too often. Every dragon gets them, no matter how clean you keep their viv or what you feed them. Just make sure you check them for parasites at least once a year and treat them accordingly. But of course, feeding them clean feeders from a trusted source and keeping their viv clean always helps.