cushcameleon
New Member
When treating a chameleon for parasites, should I be cleaning the cage everyday? What do I do with the live plants, since the soil is most likely contaminated?
Parasite Contamination
- Thread starter cushcameleon
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jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
You need to wash EVERYTHING and you'll have to repeat it weekly until he's clean. The only thing that kills Coccidia is Ammonia. 30% solution in water or 20/30 volume perxide; the kind you bleach hair with not the kind from the drugstore but the kind you buy at a beauty supply store. That means everything from his plants to his cage - everything has to be washed with that solution. My guys live in ficus trees. I used a power washer for the plants/trees. I also replaced 30% of the soil from the top down.
cushcameleon
New Member
Ok thank you Jann. I will start the weekly cleaning when I start his Pancur treatment (Monday). He is infected with a nematode similar to roundworm and it can only pass through conaminated fecals. I do not believe the parasite is as dangerous as coccidia, but I will use the same ammonia concoction just in case.
Debmonster
New Member
I took all plants out of the cage and replaced with plastic plants (this was only temp so no flaming). I used plastic coated cable for so he could climb around. It was minimal cage furniture but I could disinfect it with ease it daily.
My thoughts were that if I could reduce the chance of re-infestation by the lizard eating a cricket that crawled on a leaf that had a spec of feces which had a parsite egg on it then I had a better chance of reducing the amount of time it took for the cham to lower the parasite count.
My thoughts were that if I could reduce the chance of re-infestation by the lizard eating a cricket that crawled on a leaf that had a spec of feces which had a parsite egg on it then I had a better chance of reducing the amount of time it took for the cham to lower the parasite count.
cushcameleon
New Member
Good idea. I'll temporarily remove the live plant and some of the vines.
toddmkeller
Avid Member
Your main issue that you have to deal with is the poop, when treating animals for parasites I like to get them to cup or hand feed... 9 out of 10 times the reason you get RE Contaminated is because feeders are walking all over the cage (especially the bottom) and pick up the eggs of your parasite. (during treatment) Then it gets re ingested, and the life cycle starts again. Considering panacur doesn't kill the eggs (only adults) this is very important. I super deep clean my cage before the first treatment, and keep a very close eye to where he poops, clean the poop up right away, then I always "spot clean" the area where any fecal matter would come in contact (even the place where he wipes his butt). Be extremely careful when you touch him or the cage... wash your hands right away! I use 40 volume hydrogen peroxide because it doesn't put off fumes like ammonia. (if it will kill coccidia it will kill anything)
hope this helps,
Todd
hope this helps,
Todd
