Safe medication

[FunkyJungle]

Just got back from the vet to find out my 4.5 month panther chameleon has worms/parasites and was prescribed Metronidazole, directions were to give 0.01mL by mouth once a day for 5 day then repeat in 3 weeks. Anyone know anything about this medication? What to expect? Is it safe? Does this medication even work?

Thanks in advance

 

[Haley Hendrix]

I’m not sure about the medication. But, you can try and use the search bar and look up the medication on this site and see what you can find.

 

[Beman]

Just got back from the vet to find out my 4.5 month panther chameleon has worms/parasites and was prescribed Metronidazole, directions were to give 0.01mL by mouth once a day for 5 day then repeat in 3 weeks. Anyone know anything about this medication? What to expect? Is it safe? Does this medication even work?

Thanks in advance

What exactly did the fecal come back positive for? And this is a pretty commonly used medication.

 

[FunkyJungle]

What exactly did the fecal come back positive for? And this is a pretty commonly used medication.

I was just told worms/parasite. They did the test using the wet mount method in the clinic but is sending out samples to the lab. I emailed them to get the compete report of exactly what was found.

 

[Beman]

I was just told worms/parasite. They did the test using the wet mount method in the clinic but is sending out samples to the lab. I emailed them to get the compete report of exactly what was found.

Knowing the exact one would be a good thing... You have to clean the cage in most cases so that reinfection does not happen.

 

[MissSkittles]

Metronidazole is very common and at least for humans is one of the ‘safer’ meds. In veterinary use it’s commonly given to soothe the GI tract. It does have anti-protozoal and antibacterial properties.

 

[JacksJill]

When I was on it for giardia (backpacking filter failed) it made me nauseous but it worked.

 

[FunkyJungle]

UPDATE: Today is his second day with formed poop. He seems to have passed the runny poop. I’m wondering if I should do the medication. I don’t see it necessary since his poop is formed and healthy. His poop is everything you would see in a healthy chameleon

 

[Beman]

UPDATE: Today is his second day with formed poop. He seems to have passed the runny poop. I’m wondering if I should do the medication. I don’t see it necessary since his poop is formed and healthy. His poop is everything you would see in a healthy chameleon

The medication should be used as prescribed... Stopping before recommended because you think it is ok does not in fact mean that the medication has had the time to do its job.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I would give the medication as directed. With parasites, it depends on the load; most animals can carry low loads with no ill effects, but there's no way to tell when or what may cause a low load to blossom into a high load and make the animal seriously ill. Generally, the higher the load, the more difficult to control or eradicate, and eradication is best.

Parasites are generally passed on through contact with contaminated feces, so it's important to disinfect everything that may have even traces of feces on it—floor, screen, glass, branches, soil, leaves... everything. This includes places he may not have ? on directly, but his cloaca may have dragged across. This may mean getting rid of everything in the enclosure, then disinfecting all surfaces—solid or mesh—and starting over. F10 is one common veterinary disinfectant, but ask your vet what to use.

I wish the news were better; I've been through this with several dogs infected with various worms & coccidia. Fortunately, my lizards have all been clean.