Help, noticed some blood in stool and small mite looking things running around

[pounce]

Hi all,

Appreciate any help in advance.

My gecko is about 4 years old. Has not shown any signs of any issues, has been eating fine and not lethargic at all.

Today I noticed a small spec of red watery stuff after she went potty.

I grabbed her rock that she normally does her business on and noticed VERY VERY small little things moving around.. they were white, fairly fast.. my first inclination were mites.

Sound like anything?

Meanwhile, I'm going to disinfect the tank.

I appreciate all your help

 

[pounce]

Just an update.. when cleaning her cage, I just lifted her repti-carpet up and noticed a dead worm under it.. surrounding the worm was a ton of these little things.. what are they?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

That carpet is infested with them now and should be thrown away. It cannot be sterilized and safely reused. You would need to get a fecal test to see if any of these bugs have invaded her body. I suggest using paper towel substrate to monitor for blood.

 

[pounce]

That carpet is infested with them now and should be thrown away. It cannot be sterilized and safely reused. You would need to get a fecal test to see if any of these bugs have invaded her body. I suggest using paper towel substrate to monitor for blood.

Thanks,

I actually replaced her carpet with tile last night. I soaked everything in soap and boiling water for a good 15-20 minutes and made sure I couldn't visually see anything crawling around.

I then inspected her a few times with a flashlight, nothing crawling on her.

Do they sound like mites?

Assuming she is acting healthy and happy, should I just monitor her? Or is this something that needs a vet right away?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Bugs lay eggs that are not visible to the eye but are microscopic. They are seen after there is an infestation. If you don't have a vet, it would be a good idea to locate one. Anytime there's a potential health issue, paper towel is best because it shows spots and can be immediately changed quickly when soiled. If anymore blood passes, it can't hide on paper towel, and she would need a vet right away.

No, they don't sound like mites, but I don't know what they could be based on the description.

 

[5HiddenLizards]

Could they be dust or substrate mites? I know you hade repticarpet, but sometimes these pop up from being on cage furniture ect...I used to get them in my tanks but whenever I switch out substrate I spray it entirely with mite spray. This has prevented any dust/substrate mites in all my tanks.

Just a thought!



{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I was thinking of the kind of mites that get on snakes in my above post, just to clarify. The blood and possible internal issue is a concern.

 

[pounce]

I was thinking of the kind of mites that get on snakes in my above post, just to clarify. The blood and possible internal issue is a concern.

Thanks again for the replies guys,

What was strange is how all these little "things" were surrounding a dead worm which seemed to have been completely eaten alive. At one point I thought perhaps these were baby supers, but after researching I crossed this off my list.

Another option is they could have been mites within the feed for the supers. I should probably dump the container of supers out and check. I'm not feeding her anymore from that container anyway.

I just wanted to clarify, her poo was normal, with the exception of a small watery redish puddle. Given the rocks were red, I did dab it with a papertowel to confirm the liquid was a red tint.

What in the heck were those things.

 

[pounce]

Bugs lay eggs that are not visible to the eye but are microscopic. They are seen after there is an infestation. If you don't have a vet, it would be a good idea to locate one. Anytime there's a potential health issue, paper towel is best because it shows spots and can be immediately changed quickly when soiled. If anymore blood passes, it can't hide on paper towel, and she would need a vet right away.

No, they don't sound like mites, but I don't know what they could be based on the description.

Thanks, I'll throw some paper towel over the tile just in case.

 

[5HiddenLizards]

I'm not an expert, but they could just be some type of substrate mite. They will eat dead matter & can quickly multiply if unnoticed. Mite spray helps. My monitor tank has some, but I keept them under control by adding mite spray into the water when I water the plants.



{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

 

[robin]

Mite spray helps. My monitor tank has some, but I keept them under control by adding mite spray into the water when I water the plants.



{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

that is just bad information. period.

 

[pounce]

I'm not an expert, but they could just be some type of substrate mite. They will eat dead matter & can quickly multiply if unnoticed. Mite spray helps. My monitor tank has some, but I keept them under control by adding mite spray into the water when I water the plants.
{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

Thanks,

That's my first inclination, perhaps she swallowed some and it didn't agree with her. What color were the ones in your monitors cage?

 

[pounce]

that is just bad information. period.

Why?

 

[5HiddenLizards]

I'm not saying pounce has the same bug as I do. It could be something different. Just throwing what I've experienced out there. And the mite spray does help keep whatever kind of bug it is away. I know the set up for monitors is different than geckos, but its worked for me so far.

As for the bug (mite, whatever)...its real small, clearish, white color. And they like to hide under the log hide & where the tree branches dig into the dirt.

And these bugs that I've had don't go after the lizard. If the lizard is on the log, and the bug is crawling, it'll crawl over the lizard & continue on its way. Like I said, idk what they are exactly.



{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

 

[robin]

Why?

puting pesticides where the leo or other reptile can lick is a no no. if you are going to treat a reptile for mites you need to let the spray or whatevr you are using dry before you let the animals back into the enclosure. chemicals including any sorts of mite killers or preventative can be very lethal to reptiles.

 

[5HiddenLizards]

puting pesticides where the leo or other reptile can lick is a no no. if you are going to treat a reptile for mites you need to let the spray or whatevr you are using dry before you let the animals back into the enclosure. chemicals including any sorts of mite killers or preventative can be very lethal to reptiles.

Even if the spray says it can be applied to the animal? It was the Natural Chemistry Reptile Spray. Also, I don't use it every time I water the plants. Only every few months. Just asking.




{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

 

[robin]

Even if the spray says it can be applied to the animal? It was the Natural Chemistry Reptile Spray. Also, I don't use it every time I water the plants. Only every few months. Just asking.




{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

most of those types of chemicals do not work anyhow. but yes even the ones that say you can apply to the animal. do it safely and cautious. i know you use it every few months but all it takes is one time. the spray you are using may not be killing the mites, that could be why you still have them. you may want to find a monitor forum to find out about what could be causing these mites and what is best to treat a monitor with. one animal can react differently to a pesticide than another so be careful and ask. heck they may not even be mites. could be some other kind of bug.

 

[5HiddenLizards]

Thanks for the reply! I will do some more research. My substrate isn't exacty bioactive (some monitor keepers say these substrate mites/bugs are benficial, help break down debris etc...the roaches I've purposfully left in there she's found & eaten. So I'll snoop around more & see what I can find.



{Sent from Samsung Epic via Tapatalk}

 

[fl_orchidslave]

The bugs need to be identified. Treating for a bug you may not have is not only exposing your gecko to potentially harmful substances, but it may not even kill whatever the bug is. It's impossible for us to say what kind of bug it is based on a typed description over the internet.

 

[pounce]

The bugs need to be identified. Treating for a bug you may not have is not only exposing your gecko to potentially harmful substances, but it may not even kill whatever the bug is. It's impossible for us to say what kind of bug it is based on a typed description over the internet.

Ug.. I wish I would have taken some photos My cam was in my car at the time and I just wanted to get it clean.

Like I said, I checked her thoroughly and nothing was crawling on her.