Parasites

[jamest0o0]

So I just had a fecal sample done for my 2 Chams, I'm a little worried because I haven't been able to find any solid poop for my third cham to take in. I'll fill out the help form if I see it continues, but I had some questions I hope you guys could clear up.

My fecal samples were negative on both Chams, all of my chameleons share basically everything, are lined up near each other, etc. How likely would it be that the third could have harmful parasites while the others do not?

I noticed some undigested cricket legs and the fecal samples were slightly smelly, but otherwise normal. These were the ones that came back negative, so I take it a little smell and some bug parts is normal?

my other chameleon I think had diarreah or a runny urate, it was kind of like a puddle but I feed a good sized hornworms every other day so maybe that's the culprit? On a side note this chameleon drinks water every morning in front of me, he doesn't show any othee signs of dehydration, but do yours do This? The other 2 never drink in front of me, but all have white urates.

And lastly my nosey be has a weird obsession with trying to eat dry, dead leaves. I have no idea why, is this any cause for alarm?

I'm going to watch these closely, all seems normal otherwise, and I get the feeling I'm be paranoid, but just want to see what you guys have to say.

Thanks

 

[jamest0o0]

I apologize for my autocorrect and bad grammar

 

[Andee]

Difference in age/sizes at all? Temps? Time they were fed before the fecal samples were taken in? Any difference in species?

 

[jamest0o0]

I don't know exact ages, but about 11 months, 7, and 5. All panthers. Fecals were immediately refrigerated, the 11 month was a few days before I took it, 5 months was collected that day.

I can just fill out the help form if that makes it easier

 

[Andee]

I wouldn't be surprised if a good sized hornworm every other day made the feces a bit runny in a 7 month old, can you give me a general size of the hornworms?

 

[jamest0o0]

Probably around 2ish inches

 

[Andee]

yeah that'll easily cause diarrhea when fed that often, how many chitinous feeders do you pair with it?

 

[jamest0o0]

I just dump a bunch of crickets in the cup. Usually enough for the day and a light snack the following morning before I feed them. His appetite has slowed down a little, but nothing that seems alarming. My other guy did too at that age.

 

[jamest0o0]

I feed other bugs too, but those are my staples.

 

[Andee]

Hmmm maybe you should reduce the size of the hornworm if you do every other day, or if you do the same size currently do it only every 2-3 days. As far as seeing if it's parasites and taking a fecal in. Stop doing the hornworms for 5 days. It should firm up quickly with only chitinous insects available.

 

[kinyonga]

You asked if it was likely that one could have parasites but the others not...i t depends on the parasite (how they are transmitted mostly).
Also...one clear fecal doesn't mean the chameleon has no parasites...they need to be tested twice a couple of weeks apart.

 

[Sloppysponge]

It took 2 samples to find that my girl has 2 types of paracites, not a concerning level, we got the meds now, and now going to send a fecal in for a test in a week or so and a week after that to make sure she is clear.

Main point was it took 2 fresh samples( within the hour of pooping we were at the vet) to see a positive test

 

[jamest0o0]

Ahhh damn, nothing's easy eh. So in a couple of weeks take some back in? Does it matter if i take them to a more-local vet, does chameleon experience matter much when it comes to fecal samples?

And by the sounds of it, is there anything very alarming you're hearing in what I've mentioned?

I'm about to put my Chams in their new planted enclosures, but I'm wondering if I should hold off now? If everything's normal, do the parasites need to be treated? I know people say they usually carry a light load of them.

 

[jannb]

Ahhh damn, nothing's easy eh. So in a couple of weeks take some back in? Does it matter if i take them to a more-local vet, does chameleon experience matter much when it comes to fecal samples?

And by the sounds of it, is there anything very alarming you're hearing in what I've mentioned?

I'm about to put my Chams in their new planted enclosures, but I'm wondering if I should hold off now? If everything's normal, do the parasites need to be treated? I know people say they usually carry a light load of them.

My vets always treat for any amount of parasites. One chameleon can have parasites and another one not and if they are not shedding eggs the fecals will look clean even if they have parasites. A couple fecals a couple weeks apart is always a good idea.

 

[Sloppysponge]

My vets recommendation was to treat the paracite because in the enclosure is a limited amount of space and even having the best sterilization routine, we make mistakes easy, she also recommended that I treated my other Cham. It sounded like a great plain to me.

 

[jamest0o0]

Alright Will do! There's a vet about 5 minutes away from me, they do exotic animals/reptiles, but I'm not sure of their cham experience. I take my Chams to a place about 30 min away. For the fecals though, would i be able to just go to the one 5 minutes away? Or should I stick to the same vet I've been using

 

[Sloppysponge]

I think you could get a fecal any where?

 

[Sloppysponge]

I am no means an expert, just going through the process now

 

[Sloppysponge]

The worst part is every time we touch something with eather Cham, we wash our hands before and after, even between tasks. Eg. Touch the cricket bin with left hand, hold dusting cup right hand, don't touch things together, wash hands after feeding one, then different dusting cup but same thing other to the other.

 

[jannb]

My vets recommendation was to treat the paracite because in the enclosure is a limited amount of space and even having the best sterilization routine, we make mistakes easy, she also recommended that I treated my other Cham. It sounded like a great plain to me.

My vet's says to never treat unless you know they have parasites. He said why would you want to dose an animal as sensitive as a chameleon if it's not needed.