Very worried about leo with tapeworm

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neverenoughleos

New member
Hi all, I'm hoping for some insight on the condition of my leopard gecko, Signy, who has what I believe are tapeworms. She was underweight when I got her, and after a few weeks i noticed that she wasn't gaining weight on the same feeding schedule as my other leos. I started feeding her more, and while she began to look bloated around the middle, her tail was still thin. I finally took a look at her tummy and saw a rice-like worm moving around.

I took her to the vet ASAP, that is, five days ago, and she was dewormed with topical Profender (praziquantel). Today I notice that her tail seems still thinner, and she is producing diarrhea, which up to now she has not done. I'm not seeing any worms in her feces. She is eating a ton and still seems active.

I sanitized her tank and everything in it with vinegar and water this morning.

I realize that the deworming takes 14 days to kill all the worms, but the fact that she seems to be getting worse rather than better has me concerned. I've been keeping leos for three years and have never dealt with this kind of issue before. Does anyone have any experience with tapeworms? Should I take her back to the vet, or grit my teeth and be patient?

Thanks to all for any insight you can offer!
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Hi ~

Since your leo is already under vet care, please phone him/her to let them know how things are going. Most GU members are not vets.

Please ask your vet whether he recommends a stronger sanitizer/disinfectant like what vets use.

Are you keeping Signy on paper towels -- for now?

  • Be sure to handle Signy last.
  • Wash your hands between every gecko since tapeworms are easy to spread!
  • Use Purell hand sanitizer too.
  • Maybe use vinyl gloves.
  • Don't share food items or other care items.
 
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N

neverenoughleos

New member
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for your reply!

I called the vet this morning (twice actually); unfortunately they couldn't tell me much other than "bring her back in a week," "call again Monday if you have more questions," and "feed her a lot." They don't know about the diarrhea since that turned up after they closed today. I did ask if vinegar was strong enough and was told it was (but that I should use it hot). I'm a bit nervous about using bleach.

I keep all my leos on paper towels always (excepting the coconut fiber in their humid hides).

Thanks for the cautionary advice! The vet told me the worms aren't contagious, but I didn't 100% believe him, so I've been acting as if they are. I've been doing everything on your list except the vinyl gloves, but been considering those too—with all the geckos I have I've needed to do a lot of hand washing.

There are two more geckos in the room with her (in different tanks)—I'm wondering if they're safe as long as I keep my hands clean, or should I move her away from them?

Thanks so much!
—Sarah
 
A

acpart

Well-known member
It's worth considering that sometimes the antibiotic may have side effects (like diarrhea) and you could ask the vet that as well.

Aliza
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
You're welcome, Sarah. Does your vet specialize in reptiles and exotics?

Ideally isolate Signy in another room. Transferring tapeworm eggs/larvae to another enclosure could be a problem.

Diarrhea is also one symptom of tapeworm.

Keep up with the treatment your vet prescribed. Your vet might carry small containers of F10 disinfectant.

 
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neverenoughleos

New member
It's worth considering that sometimes the antibiotic may have side effects (like diarrhea) and you could ask the vet that as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Aliza; that's a good thought, and I'll ask about that. Profender can sometimes cause diarrhea in cats; of course there are no studies on geckos. :/

Does your vet specialize in reptiles and exotics?
Ideally isolate Signy in another room. Transferring tapeworm eggs/larvae to another enclosure could be a problem.
Diarrhea is also one symptom of tapeworm.
Keep up with the treatment your vet prescribed. Your vet might carry small containers of F10 disinfectant.
Click to expand...

Yep, our vet is an exotics and bird specialist. We're lucky to have one relatively close.

I'll isolate her as you suggest. So afraid this will get transferred to another lizard.

Thank you for the links! I hadn't heard of F10 products before. I'll see if I can get them from our vet or elsewhere.


Happy Easter to anyone celebrating today.

Best,
Sarah
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
neverenoughleos said:
. . . . . .

Yep, our vet is an exotics and bird specialist. We're lucky to have one relatively close.

I'll isolate her as you suggest. So afraid this will get transferred to another lizard.

Thank you for the links! I hadn't heard of F10 products before. I'll see if I can get them from our vet or elsewhere.


Happy Easter to anyone celebrating today.

Best,
Sarah
Click to expand...

You're welcome for those links. Best wishes that this tapeworm does not spread.

Amazon also carries F10 disinfectant.

Happy Easter to you too, Sarah!
 
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