That was an ordeal

[Dottie]

Little 1 month old Jasper started showing the same symptoms his older sibling, Dottie, did. So I packed the whole family off to the vet's for weighing and dosing of Ivermectin. What with the trip to the vet, the drugging, the weighing, the cage tearing apart for cleaning, I have some very annoyed geckos. The little guys are doing okay - Dottie was her usual tweezer-food gobbling piglet. Jasper did well with his slurry. Dad was okay to dose, but is a bit troubled by the cage interruption. Mom was a bigger struggle and was so annoyed she squeaked for the first time that I've heard. On top of it all, she's shedding. But big burly year old Skipper was a bug bear. I thought he was going to break the plastic syringe with the strength of his bite. I hope his teeth are okay. He's also upset with the cage re-arrangement. I'm sure that by tomorrow every one will be fine. The adults are used to repti-carpet and I had to put them on paper towels so that's making home a little more unusual. Here's the weights:
Jasper - 6.1 grams
Dottie - 14.5 grams
Skipper - 73.4 grams
Mom - 58.2 grams
Dad - 71.9 grams
The vet was very impressed with Dottie's amazing comeback. Hope this works for Jasper. I get to try dosing them all myself in 2 weeks! But that should be it.

 

[RaiQuee]

I wish you good luck

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Sounds like you have your hands full! You are doing an incredible job... keep up the good work!

 

[Dottie]

Pleased to report that Jasper chowed down his small mealies last night. I think he's on the road to recovery. Dottie will eat anything I offer her with my Swiss army knife tweezers - don't worry, she's very good at it and misses the metal. I only give her crix and mealies but was thinking it could be a good way to hide the bodies of my enemies although it would take forever. Guess I'd better stick to the usual hiding spots.

 

[Ross Payan -LeosAnonymous]

Just curious why the vet prescribed Ivermectin.

What parasites are you guys dealing with?

I've got my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I agree with Ross' questions. Ivermectin is not tolerated well by leopard geckos, and is really only effective for certain types of parasitic infections. Did the vet tell you exactly what you ae deaing with?

 

[Ross Payan -LeosAnonymous]

I agree with Ross' questions. Ivermectin is not tolerated well by leopard geckos, and is really only effective for certain types of parasitic infections. Did the vet tell you exactly what you ae deaing with?

Great minds think alite huh Marcia

Tapeworms and maybe pinworms (if memory serves me correctly) are just about the only "worms" that Panacur doesn't take care of in reptiles, and even then better alternatives are available.

The bottom line is that is is VERY easy to kill your reptiles with Ivermectin, so unless you guys are certain Ivermectin is needed I'd highly recommend avoiding it.

 

[Dottie]

I guess she felt it was what was needed. It sure did the trick for my kids! She also feels that the fecals don't really give enough information since their digestive tracts are so small. I've got to say, I now have total faith in her. Dottie already had her 2nd dose and is thriving!

 

[Ross Payan -LeosAnonymous]

I guess she felt it was what was needed. It sure did the trick for my kids! She also feels that the fecals don't really give enough information since their digestive tracts are so small. I've got to say, I now have total faith in her. Dottie already had her 2nd dose and is thriving!

I'm very happy that everything is going well with Dottie!

But it would still concern me that your Vet is not making a diagnosis (no fecals of any kind) before treatment. There are many things ivermectin would not have cured. Just my two cents worth.

I wish you and all your kids the best of luck, and once again very happy to hear that Dottie is responding well!

 

[boutiquegecko]

That's great they're all doing well. Is your vet a reptile or exotics vet? Just wondering why she didn't do fecals to see exactly what the parasite was.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Panacur is the most common (and safest) treatment for pinworms, hookworms, roundworms, strongyloides, and other nematodes. Droncit is the drug for tapeworms. Ivermectin is used for heartworm prevention in dogs and cats, and other types of worms in mammals; and is what is used externally in flea, tick and mite infections. Ivermectin has a very narrow margin of safety when used incorrectly, and is fatal to turtles.

Other parasitic infections that are seen in leopard geckos are: coccidia, which is treated with a sulpha drug called Albon, and protozoans like amoeba and flagellates are treated with Flagyl.

I am also suprised that your vet is prescribing something like Ivermectin without knowing what type of parasite is being treated.

 

[Dottie]

Did a quick research and found a report that recommends Ivermectin for gecko parasite treatment. Doses used are very small and it treats a broad spectrum of parasites. The vet I found is qualified in exotic animal treatment. I will inquire next time I see her as to why she chose Ivermectin over Panacur but it sure did the trick. She was extremely careful with the doses. I trust her, her treatment and her judgement. I appreciate the imput as this is a first for me but I feel I got good care and great results. She had her work cut out for her as the hatchlings were so small when they needed the treatment.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Great news!!! It's very difficult to find a good herp vet! Please keep us posted on the little ones' progress.