I received word from the vet today that they are pretty certain my little fella has cryptosporidiosis. There is no known cure, but the vet suggest a regimen of daily doses of Ponazuril for 30-60 days may have some positive effects but of course, it may be for naught. Has anyone had any success with long term dosing?
Anyone have luck treating crypto?
- Thread starter rhacknc
- Start date
It is also potentially contagious to other reptiles. If you have other reptiles you need to consider very carefully what to do next to prevent spreading to the rest of your collection. Some people rehome a reptile infected with crypto to a home without other reptiles to prevent spreading it. If that's not an option then sometimes euthanasia has to be considered, more often in cases of large or valuable collections since it can wipe them out otherwise. Unfortunately this is a bad disease with no effective cure and can potentially cause significant symptoms. Luckily it is not common in chameleons. The recommended treatment course is the best we have as of yet.
Thanks for the replies. Luckily, no other reptiles in the house we have to worry about it spreading to. Also, cleanliness is not an issue in our household. I gave him the best environment and habitat possible. I purchased Archie Jan 5th of this year. I did not know to ask the question if he was wild caught, but I am going to make the assumption he was as I have read most Gracefuls are. My best guess is he had it when I took him home. I wish I was more educated on chameleons before I purchased him and I might have a healthy chameleon now. In any case, I am the one that decided to give him a home and care for him and am trying to do the best for him now as he is in my care. We are going back for a followup visit Monday and also get additional antibiotics so I can at least try to help him. Of course I don't want him to die in pain either and will look to my vet for signs that we need to look at other alternatives.
