Update about my geckos' parasite problem

[gothra]

In the past 10 days, I had been doing lots of individual fecal tests. I have come to the conclusion that only 3 out of 9 geckos are infected (Gel, Marly and Lemzip). I have done 2 fecals already on most of the geckos (at 5-10 days apart), if both tests shown negative results, can I assume that they aren't infected or successfully cured?

As of last night, the 3 that has pinworms still has several pinworm eggs in their feces. I'll continue the panacur and do fecals again next week.

One question about follow up fecal tests, how many times and at what intervals apart do I need to do follow up tests in order to confirm 100% that all the worms are eliminated? A fecal test can be negative for infected geckos if the parasite aren't shedding oocysts, right?

p.s. I checked my previous records, Gel and Marly both have done 4-5 fecals between 2005-6 (some by me, some by our vet); never found any trace of parasites in there. I wonder how they suddenly get pins out of nowhere. If they get it from the crickets that I bought, then other geckos should also be infected as well. I don't think its from my new geckos too, because although Lemzip is infected, Hardees is clean.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

the type of pins in crickets may show up in a fecal but are supposed to not be harmful to the leos.

if they do have leo pins they shed every 30 days so you may need to do more follow ups to get a good spread over a 30 day period.

 

[gothra]

Wow, shed every 30 days?? I was hoping to at least put some of their tanks back together in a week or two. Although I only have 9 leos, but replacing the substrate and washing and wiping everything once every day is not fun at all.....

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

yeah the cycle is about 30 days on shedding the oocysts. Pick up a copy on Understanding Reptile Parasites and Disesases, it is very helpful. You can usually find it on amazon for a decent price.

 

[gothra]

Yeah, I have that book. Read through it about 3 times already, just didn't know that pins had 30 days cycle. Thanks, Wendy.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

that may be info I just picke dup from other threads over the years.

Here is a nice site I like to read with lots of info too and some good dosing details etc.:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/171410.htm

 

[gothra]

Another update: I have already put the tank back together for those that aren't infected with pins ("Hooray!" from the geckos and their mama...). The 3 that were tested positive, Marly and Gel had their first "negative" on Monday (after almost 7 weeks!), but Lemzip still has about 4-5 pinworm eggs in his last floatation. I think I can stop the panacur for Marly and Gel if their fecal continue to be negative; and I hope Lemzip will show a negative fecal soon.