Quarentine period...

[Gregg M]

Just wondering what everyone else does to quarentine new arrivals...

How long?

How far from your main collection do you keep the newly aquired animals?

What do you do to insure the main collection does not get contaminated with a potential bug/sickness?

 

[ExcessiveHerps]

I think having a proper quarentine period if not easy for many people. I've in the past had 3 18qt tubs set up in my laundry room and the other wise of my house. I didn't have a whole set of supplements, cleaning supplies, etc for them do...
X

 

[ReptileMan27]

Atleast 30 days, normally 60 days.

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

I also think it's longer depending on who and where it was purchased from. If I buy from a show I will quarantine even longer. For instance, I just picked up a pair of Blazing Blizzards from the Tampa show. I bought them from a wholesaler. They will not go into my main racks for a long time.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

For me, it also depends on who I get the geckos from. If I have seen the breeders gecko facility and geckos, I may only quarantine long enough for it to settle in, start eating, and get a fecal performed. If it's from a well-known reputable breeder, I usually quarantine for 30 days. If it's from an unfamiliar breeder or from a show, I'll quarantine for 90 days.

I do not buy geckos from wholesalers or reptile supply companies... and especially from chain pet stores.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

I do it somewhat like Marcia does - 30 days for people I know well, 90 for those I don't. Space for me is critical, so they are in the same room. I do have different tools and work with them at different times.

 

[GeckoMandi]

I'm with Shanti and Marcia, I get fecals done asap on any new gecko I get.

I do keep them all in the same rack, so I guess I'm still taking a risk there but if I feel like something is wrong then I have extra heatpads, and tubs I can put them in for a short period of time.

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

We are also very careful with our hands. Everyone who walks into our reptile rooms MUST sanitize. When touching new geckos, hands get sanitized between each gecko. Also, everything gets cleaned with either bleach or chlorhexidine.

 

[Gregg M]

Awesome guys....

I do a 90 day quarentine with any new arrival, no matter who it is from... They are kept in my bedroom in 5 gallon all glass aquariums until the 90 days are up and after fecals have cleared... They are then placed in my main racks.... Their cages are always the last to be cleaned on my cleaning days... I also use a new pair of rubber gloves in between handleling and cleaning on each quarentined animal...

Call me paranoid if you want but thats how I do it...LOL

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

Better safe then sorry, right!

 

[robin]

90 days baby!!

 

[LadyGecko]

Same here-90 days but I do have geckos that have been isolated in their own tanks for 6 months or more-just because I do have the room
I can do that with aquariums scattered all over the house and now with the sweater boxes-I have even more room

I am also careful with who I handle in what order-wash my hands with antibacterial soup and bleach solution etc.

Like everyone else here-I work hard to get my geckos in prime condition and I am not about to let anything that is preventable happen to them if I can help it

Sandy

 

[MichaelJ]

I do fecal flotations myself the day I get them home and always find something unless I get it from a few of my favorite breeders on this forum. Although I take no chances. ALL get a 90 day quarantine and pass several of my fecals and at least two acid fast tests by my vet over the 90 day period.

They are kept in another room and sanitation is honestly anal from Day 1. I've had some that look and eat great for a month or so and suddenly go down hill because some parasite finally rears it's ugly head and brings them down. I also, "ShotGun" all my new arrivals with Panacur and Flagyl just to be safe. Shows are my nemesis for this reason because they are often loaded with parasites. Not necessarily Crypto but so many other things that I've worked so hard to keep from my colony. We de-worm every 6 months unless I find one with something and the whole gang gets a shot to be on the safe side and I bleach everything upon discovery to make sure it doesn't have a chance to spread. Those I find anything get fecals from me and my vet often to be safe and to see if the meds are working.

Microscopes can save a lot of money in the long run and help you get a head start on problems before they get out of control. Marcia recommended a book that I've found invaluable - "Understanding Reptile Parasites" - it's awesome and will give even the newest herp lover a way to find signs of problems. It also recommends types of microscopes and what is really needed for each type of parasite detection. I bought mine from AMSCOPE/Precision world and it's already paid for itself.

My leo colony aren't only a large investment but they are also my children and I will do anything it takes to keep them as heathly and happy as possible.

But basically 90 Days no matter what.

 

[trizzypballr]

interresting, you do your own fecals? that book tells you how to go about it?

 

[curiousKathy]

I am quarantining my new girls for 90 days which will be up the end of May. I have done fecals (fecal floats) and they were all negative. Should I do them again and are there any other tests I should do before I get out of "quarantine mode"? I wash between each animal and handle the established male first then the girls. The male is upstairs the girls are downstairs. They each have their own mealworms and supplies. I care for one completely before moving on to the next leo.

So after the quarantine period, what do I do next?

Sorry to steal your thread, Gregg! You just brought up a subjuect I was going to ask about! LOL

Kathy