Question about Crypto, very IMPORTANT

[Kellyr]

One of my geckos that I received 2 weeks ago is showing many signs of this including, smeary fecals, regurgitation, a darkened area on the stomach, loss of appetite, twitching/ seizures, weight loss, and there is also a blister on the underside right below the front legs. I am so worried because although this gecko has not had contact with any of my others, I have 13 others in the same room and while doing some new setups I have used my infrared temp gun to monitor temps on all cage floors. I have sanitized it with hot soapy water but now I read BLEACH doesnt even kill this parasite.. prolonged exposure to ammonia is needed. My question is does anyone know if the oocysts can live say on my carpet or the bottom of my foot??? I had never heard of this parasite before this week so I had taken out some cage furniture and placed it on the ground while trying to get the baby gecko to notice its food. I am worried about my other geckos, my Mother's dogs, my cats.. this is the most horrible nightmare I cannot sleep thinking that 10 out of my 13 other babies might have this horrible parasite. Vet appt. tomorrow if there is a fresh stool and if it shows up?!?!? Anything would help please I am so so worried

 

[Kellyr]

Also I forgot to mention, the baby has its appetite back, eating up to 8 baby crickets each day and its last stool appeared to be normal. Could it still be crypto??? I know the vet would know best but if anyone has had any experience with this it would help ease my mind. I don't know what I would do if I lost all my babies.

 

[bitterbeauty]

You are probably being paranoid. Whenever my gecko was sick I automatically thought crypto because it has some symptoms that overlap other sicknesses. Crypto usually kills pretty fast. Crypto does not show up in fecal exams because the parasite is only detectable when the parasite sheds. You would have to get an acid fast test or some other really expensive test. I doubt your gecko has crypto but I mean I dont know where you got it from but since it was recently shipped/changed enviornment it is likely just really stressed.

 

[gothra]

I wouldn't get overly worried just yet as he still has an appetite and ate 8 crickets. But it won't hurt for a vet visit and get a fecal done, just to make sure everything is fine. Good luck!

p.s. I'm the same, whenever I see a regurgitated mass or loose stool in a tank, I immediately went into deep stress and thinks my geckos might have crypto or other deadly problems...

 

[Kellyr]

I ordered two from the same website which sells pet supplies and the first one died within one week. The second gecko was so healthy and fiesty too I am sure its not from being stressed. I am taking it to the vet tomorrow since it has every symptom of crypto ... except for death that is. (smeary stools, foamy vomit, a darkened area on the stomach, loss of appetite, twitching/ seizures, weight loss, lesions on the skin) We will see I am hoping its not. He used to be a decent sized baby and now is sickly and thin... it looks like he wont make it I am praying I am wrong - thanks for your positive thoughts.

 

[gothra]

Fingers crossed for you, I hope he doesn't have crypto! Good luck Kelly!

 

[Kellyr]

NOw I have found a dark patch on anothers underside, I have no idea what from... he was my first leo and he hasnt eaten in a week. I am going crazy here... off to the vet with no one but two.

 

[dprince]

Take a fresh poop in to your vet for a fecal exam. Ask them to look for everything including crypto. It only costs about $20-25.

 

[Kellyr]

I paid for a smear test that was $49 on top of $82 plus the meds (2 antibiotics) came to $167- I took the baby only b/c the other one still looks healthy and I didnt have a fresh stool from him. The dr said that he wasnt sure what type but the infection was baterial. He gave him 2 medications that I must give him every day. He had been eating for a while so I started his meds today not to overly stress him out yesterday and after I gave the meds to him I soaked him in warm water for about 2 minutes until the water was dirtied and now back in the cage he wont move at all or open his eyes.. he crawled into the corner of the tank and hasnt moved for about 20 minutes. I dont know if he is in shock or what but he dosent look good at all not to mention he is in mid-shed. I will update this soon.

 

[Kristi23]

I hope the little one makes it for you.

 

[LadyGecko]

Hi Kelly

I am so sorry to read that your geckos are having problems
and I pray that they are both well soon

BTW-Chlorine bleach WILL kill Crypto on tanks/cage furniture etc.

Good luck with your 2 little ones

Sandy

 

[dprince]

What (if anything) did they find in the fecal smear?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Crypto usually does not show up in routine fecal smears. You will need at acid-fast stain test, and the crypto oocysts must be shedding in order to see it, so even that can give false negative readings.

Crypto is spread via oral/fecal contact, and not likely to be transmitted via casual contact like clothing, etc. The only sure way to kill cryptois 10% ammonia (straight household ammonia).

Good luck...

 

[LadyGecko]

Marcia-I am a bit confused on this one

When you had a Dr. on a chat on here some time ago

I distinctly remember he stating that chlorine bleach was recommended to use when disinfecting concerning Crypto and there were follow-up questions pertaining to the use of Ammonia since it was not mentioned by him

I could be remembering this incorrectly but I don't think so.........

Please correct me if I am wrong here

Sandy

 

[Kellyr]

Sorry this took so long but he now has had 3 doses, 4th is tonight and he is getting better.. the baby that is. He really dosent like the medicine and it takes about 20 min to get him to open his mouth and swallow them but he seems to be more active and he is still eating. Things are looking good. I think if it was crypto he would be gone by now he is only 8 grams (vet weighed him) I just freaked out with all those horrible symptoms I have never experienced something like this in my few years of keeping geckos... Popcorn still wont eat by himself so I did buy a few waxworms and he took 2 off the tweezers. I need to keep track of his weight incase I need to take him into the vet as well. The vet said the test was just a smear test not an acid fast test I asked while he did it. He had a glass slide and just smeared the stool with a cotton swab wet with a saline solution and peeked at it under the scope. He wasnt sure what kind of bacteria it was but he said crypto is very rare and that it kills rather quickly. I think my little Blizzard will be okay. :main_yes: