*Sigh* Starting over is not a joy.

[hotnickles96]

So I have come to the conclusion that if I want to continue being a leopard gecko owner that, I'm going to have to completely start all over again.

I believe that my Normal leo " leigha" died from Crypto. I have another tremper albino that I believe was the carrier of the disease. She is showing signs of thinning/weight loss.

I'm very frustrated, sad, and feel like I failed them.

I need to come up with a plan for my albino tremper. Not sure what's the best course of action. Ive started reading up on Crypto and the future seems bleak.

Plus, the fact that I'm going to have to buy lots of new hides, branches, and decor for a new tank. Not sure if I want to chance infecting a new leo.

Sucky situation.
But, I don't want to give up on being a leo owner, just unfortunate that my first run didn't go well.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

Where did you buy them from?

 

[hotnickles96]

I bought the first one " normal leo" at an exotic pet shop. The albino tremper my gf purchased at some unknown chain pet store. I didn't question her because it was suppose to be a surprise. She didn't quarantine them before putting them in the same tank.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

Oh I remember reading your post about g/f surprising you with a new gecko and didn't quarantine. Yeah that kinda sucks, but I wouldn't blame her for anything, and make sure to explain it's not her fault for not knowing. Good intentions sometimes don't turn out well.

 

[RampantReptiles]

There are tons of other diseases/parasites out there that could look like crypto. Have the gecko(s) been to the vet? Had a fecal sample tested?

 

[hotnickles96]

Yes I've taken them 3 times, they were given Panacur. That hasn't worked though. One had died, and the other I feel is on the same road.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I'm sorry this has happened to you. The crypto test is not the standard fecal float, but a specially mixed stain test, often sent out to be done in a lab, and runs around $60 in my area. It's good that you've been researching it, and have seen how devastating it is to a colony. Every gecko that has been exposed becomes a carrier, and in some cases, it can be a couple years before any symptoms are shown. This is why the disease has gotten so out of control, because people think "the other gecko is fine" and go on to expose it to others in community tanks. Then there's cross contamination in breeding colonies, thus passing it on to babies. Some of these geckos find their way to pet stores, further exposing an endless number of geckos in the retail markets. It's not likely that they toss tanks and accessories when the geckos "look fine".

If it is crypto:
Your gecko that is not showing symptoms should be put in a new tank, alone, with a basic setup to start him out with. His own new food and water dish, hides (can be made from household items to save a few $$$), etc. Avoid any cross contamination by not sharing anything! Ever! He might be okay for several years. If you get any new geckos, they must not have any contact whatsoever with him.

I lost the first group I had the same way. Everything was thrown away.

For the benefit of new folks who don't know- there is no known cure for Cryptosporidium aka crypto. There is ongoing research to one day find a cure for this devastating disease.

 

[Adinar]

We went thru the same thing in the beginning and I know what you mean. It's a horrible feeling. In the end we ended up loosing 4 to it. Everything that was contaminated was discarded and we started fresh. Luckily we had other animals that didn't get infected at the time. The worst part had to be trying to care for them and doing different kinds of treatments recommended by the vets and none of them working. Panacur, several antibiotics, we did rounds of slurry to keep them eatting since they hated the carnivor care the vet gave us. In the end we had make the decison to have them put to sleep. To be honest, seeing them suffer as the did, I'm glad we did it for them. One happened to be my favorite, and I still miss her dearly.

As Laney was saying, if it is crypto - to be honest, I would throw everything out and start over to be safe. That was you know for a fact that any animals you get in the future will not go thru this in the future due to cross contamination.

Only other thing you can really do to avoid this again is stay away from chain stores. It's exactally how it started for us too. Thanks petsmart, the crypto came free.

 

[stager]

Sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you are not giving up. I once lost around 500 dollars worth of salt water fish in two days from same type of situation. I felt so upset and like a failure, but happy to say my tank is still a pain in the ass, but its thriving.

 

[sausage]

So sorry to hear of your bad luck
I to had my first lot of leos die from this, its so sad but shouldn't blame each other.
I was told that its within all geckos dormant and any thing could set it off, i guess a little bit like cancer in humans i guess? (if what i got told is even right?).

 

[Adinar]

I don't believe so. It's actually a very nasty virus, think of it like the reptile version of aids. It comprimises their immune system. And if the animal did have it there is no sterilizing the caging for it because the virus has a super tough exterior that even bleach can't get through.

 

[RyuuKirin]

what about disinfectants like Trifectant? It's supposed to be able to kill even AIDS?

 

[Adinar]

what about disinfectants like Trifectant? It's supposed to be able to kill even AIDS?

No idea. I wouldn't push my luck and risk another animal's life for the sake of saving a few bucks.

 

[Bamagecko76]

I don't believe so. It's actually a very nasty virus, think of it like the reptile version of aids. It comprimises their immune system. And if the animal did have it there is no sterilizing the caging for it because the virus has a super tough exterior that even bleach can't get through.

I'm pretty sure cryptosporidium is caused by a protozoa not a virus.

Btw, according to the article I just read, ammonia will work in disinfecting.

 

[hotnickles96]

Thanks everyone.
Im still debating on what course of action to take with my tremper. I don't want her going through the same pain my other did. She regurgitated her shed about 5 days ago and still does not want to eat. Same scenario starting all over again. Should I get rid of my 20 gallon long tank as well? Or, do you think that would be salvageable by using the ammonia?

 

[Bamagecko76]

Thanks everyone.
Im still debating on what course of action to take with my tremper. I don't want her going through the same pain my other did. She regurgitated her shed about 5 days ago and still does not want to eat. Same scenario starting all over again. Should I get rid of my 20 gallon long tank as well? Or, do you think that would be salvageable by using the ammonia?

Crypto oocysts are only neutralized by exposure to moist heat between 113°F and 140°F for 5 to 9 minutes and by disinfection with ammonia (5%) or formal saline (10%) for 18 hours. Ineffective disinfectants included idophores (1%-4%), cresylic acid (2.5% and 5%), sodium hypochlorite (3%), benzalkonium chloride (5% and 10%), and sodium hydroxide (0.02 m). Anything that could have potentially been in contact with an infected reptile should be thoroughly cleaned with an ammonia solution and allowed to dry for a period of at least 3 days.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cryptosporidiosis-in-Reptiles&id=3835471 (Main article)

That's one of the sites that talks about it. I personally have no first hand experience with crypto but it sound like disinfecting IS an option.

EDIT: Personally I'd chunk any driftwood or other decor and just try to salvage tank. But hopefully someone experienced can chime in.