Which doctor?

[Valerie]

I finally got a fecal from Sizzle last night. I want to take it in today I called two different doctors. I am trying to decide which one to take it to.
One of the doctors I have worked with before and she is somewhat knowledgeable about exotic pets. She has helped me out numerous times with all of my exotic pets and she will sell me meds without having to see the pet, which helps me out as I am cash strapped.
The second Doctor may be a bit more knowledgeable about reptiles or at least acts that way. I have used him long time ago when I had a couple of geckos.
Both doctors are willing to look for the coccida,worms and etc. The doctor I used to work with will cost me 19.50 to have the fecal checked and the other doc will charge me 28.00.
My question is, looking for these parasites will be easy as I used to to do it in the past but do you see any reason why I would should go to the reptile specalist for just a fecal exam. I hate to pay the extra unless you deem it nec. I have gotten meds for the doctor I used to work for for Sizzle so medicating her would be no problem but I read somewhere that BD have some coccida to a certain degree. Do you think both docs would know that or is any coccida a problem?{ if she even has any.

 

[HeatherSullivan]

I would definitely take it to the doctor who is considered more of a specialist. There are other parasites that he may be familiar with just having dealt with so many more reptiles than the other doctor that kinda sorta does reptiles (how many people know she sees reptiles compared to the other?). Plus if you take it to him they still may be able to dispense dewormer with out requiring an office visit. All you have to do is ask. Also What is the cost of the dewormer at each clinic? The dewormer at the not so specialist may be more, which may make it just the same cost to go to the specialist.

 

[Valerie]

Well I went to the doctor yesterday and found out she has hook worms.
I am trying to decide if I should put her on the panacur like the vet wants or reptaid.
She was treated with panacur when she was younger. I treated her just to be sure. Then she was on antibiotic for an URI which did not take care of it. I then put her on reptaid for a URI, which that worked on the URI.Then a few months later she was treated with reptaid since she was not eating and is still not eating. Some of the reason she is not eating could be the stress of me hand feeding her and the worms.
I am wondering which route would you guys go? the reptaid or the panacur? I am worried about her gut with the panacur but on the other hand I don't know why she still has them when she was treated with both things in her past and the recent past.
I always clean up he poop as soon as I see she has gone. A lot of times she goes in the tub which I empty out as soon as she goes.

 

[HeatherSullivan]

I would use the Panacur. I am skeptical about herbal remedies and such. If you would like to use the ReptAid I'd call the company and ask to speak with their veterinarian. I'm sure the reptaid wouldn't hurt on top of the panacur, but I would definitely deworm her!

 

[MissT]

I would use the Panacur. I am skeptical about herbal remedies and such. If you would like to use the ReptAid I'd call the company and ask to speak with their veterinarian. I'm sure the reptaid wouldn't hurt on top of the panacur, but I would definitely deworm her!

From what I am aware, reptaid should NOT be just in conjunction with any other meds.

Valerie, I would just do the panacur. It is not terribly harsh and is a pretty standard med for hookworms

 

[Valerie]

Thanks a bunch! I will do the panacur today.
Now my next question if you agree with me. The vet said since it was an old fecal sample, she could not test for giradia and other moving parasites so she gave me a dose of metronidisole [ spelling] to give her in case she ahd any of those parasites. I am not comfortable doing this, how do you feel about this?
Valerie

 

[MissT]

Hmmm.... im not sure. Personally, I wouldnt give any meds that arent being given for a definite reason. I think I would wait and have another fecal run after the panacur... if there is anything in there then, you could use the other meds

 

[Valerie]

Miss T
I agree with you. But unless the next fecal is a fresh sample I still won't know if she has any giardia or similar parasites. But like you, I am don't like to dose for something unless it has been proven.

 

[MissT]

Seems odd they cnt check that. I mail samples that are sometimes 1or 2 days old and they are checked for everything!!

 

[Valerie]

When I worked for the vet I could not check for giardia or any other moving parasites since once the stool gets cold the living or rather moving parasites [ protozoa} move therefore you cannot spot them.