Have you tested for parasites yourself?

[MelissaDiane]

I was just reading in a reptile parasite book that with the right microscope & the right chemical solutions you can check do the "float test" yourself to check for parasites. So i was just wondering if any of you do that? I am sure all you biochemist in college can :main_yes:

If you can & if its not too difficult can you tell me if its worth it to invest in the microscope & all the stuff for it? I am just curious. I am not sure I could to it or not. My husband feels the big breeders do it themselves. I am not so sure. But anymore, with the vets not being very knowledgable in reptiles I would probably do better myself.

Is this like way out there?

 

[catvettech]

It is better to let the vet send it out to the lab. A good microscope is too much money to invest in just doing fecals, plus it takes up space and the fecal floation liquid, microscope slides, cover slips, fecalizers are additional space takers in addition to costs.

 

[MelissaDiane]

Ok. Makes sense. The vet cost is $15. for a fecal exam so I guess it would be cheaper to do it that way. Thanks for replying back. I just wanted to double check. This is most likely the reason why I haven't heard of anyone doing this themselves. It seems the gecko experts usually refer to going to the vet for testing. Thanks again.

 

[BethanyB]

This is something I've been curious about as well... because the closest reptile vet is several hours (3-5) from where I live, but I happen to have a rather decent microscope (plus slides, slip covers, etc). Being able to do my own quick fecal tests if the need were to suddenly arise might be helpful.

As far as large breeders doing their own fecals, I know VMS mentioned on their website that they do their own, after getting a bit of guidance from a herp vet. So there's one

 

[gothra]

I've done it myself and have spotted pinworm eggs and pinworms before. If I find anything unusual, I'll take a poop sample to the vet for proper check. I think there are many things that my untrained eyes can't see; and I also need the vet to subscribe the correct medicine.

For your information, the pinworm eggs I'm spotting is actually from the feeders. If I have not checked the feces from my roaches, I will not know they carry pinworms. So, to me, the microscope is quite useful. I do smears, so I don't need fecalizers and fecasol.

 

[MelissaDiane]

With all the good information in the books & on the web . . .it kinda really helps with figuring things out on our own (to a certain degree). Plus it seems you can get meds like Panacur on the web. But I am sure it's always best to have the guidance of a vet in this just to be sure. I don't have a microscope but for you that is a definate plus. I tend to be the type of person who likes to do things for myself & not rely on someone else. Plus I think parasites is pretty common in reptiles so I figured I could save some money in this area as it cost close to $100. just to see a vet & have the gecko treated for worms. Not to mention they have to go back at least another time, if not twice. It really gets a little costly. :main_thumbsdown: It's still something I am giving some thought too but I'll give it some time before I really look into it. Thanks for replying back

 

[samthebigkid]

i've done fecal exams on my tree frog, but never a gecko. I would have to see a picture of what exactly i was looking for. My gecko though was bred in captivity, making it less likely to have parasites