What should i do ?

[kiwi3333]

I just heard back from the vet about the faecal sample i dropped in a couple of days ago for Red and i got the results this morning. She said there was a very small amount of worm eggs present but not enough for her to treat him yet. She wants me to re test him in six months, which i will. I was just wondering if there was anything i could do to ensure they go away such as disinfect his cage everyday, remove some of his plants or sight changes to his husbandry so that i give him the best chance of getting rid of them possible. I didn't think it would help to fill in the help form as there isn't really anything wrong with him and i have described his care in an earlier thread with the only issue being to raise the temperature a bit in his cage which i have. He is eating and growing and shedding normally so Any advice would be really appreciated

 

[camimom]

what type of worm was it?

 

[kiwi3333]

she didn't say, she just said a small amount of eggs were present. Should i phone back and check if she knows what type of eggs they were?

 

[camimom]

Yes.
and i find it strange that she found eggs, but wont treat it.

 

[kiwi3333]

just phoned the vet she said there was a very low level of worm eggs ( cant confirm what type of worm) and because he is so young ad its such a low level she doesn't want to treat. she said it was better to wait and test again in 6 months to make sure there isn't any more. So should i leave everything as it is. Im spot cleaning every day and disinfecting the bottom of his cage every 3 days and crickets are removed at night as he is cup trained is here anything else i could do ?

 

[camimom]

not really.
just wash the plants down with hot water, with a tiny amount of dish soap distilled in it.

and i guess wait and see.
though i wouldnt wait 6 months.
id do it again in like 1.

 

[Kate]

My understanding is that it is normal for a certain amount of parasites to be present. I think when they get above a certain level or the cham is sick it is advisable to treat it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[camimom]

wild chams get parasites. not captive bred ones.

 

[Trace]

wild chams get parasites. not captive bred ones.

I’m not sure what exactly you mean by this statement but captive bred chameleons can certainly get internal parasites. Didn’t you treat your collection for Coccidia at one point? Pinworms, a very common ailment, can be transmitted by ingesting an infected feeder insect like a cricket. One should never assume just because they are using fancy store bought, captive bred feeder crickets that their pets won’t get pinworms.

Your lizard is perfectly fine with a few microscopic worms in his/her intestines but if the lizard is in a compromised position due to stress, improper husbandry, illness etc. then these tiny buggers can bloom to unhealthy levels and your pet becomes sick. I would try and find out exactly what kind of eggs are in his stool and we can help you better.

 

[camimom]

I meant to say that captive chams shouldn't have parasites as a norm like wild chams do. Apparently my message got partially deleted.

 

[Decadancin]

6 Months? Seriously? This doesn't sound like good advice. I am not a vet, but maybe a couple of weeks at most. I would want to know if the eggs are something to worry about. Is this a vet who is familiar with herps? Sorry to question your vet, but this worries me.