Intestinal Parasites in Reptiles

Do you have any idea what intestinal parasites in reptiles are?

Parasites can cause serious problems for people and animals, including reptiles. Parasites can reproduce and spread and lead to death in some cases. This article will focus on intestinal parasites in reptiles.

Parasites are a widespread problem in wild reptiles, however even captive-bred reptiles can become infected with parasites if they come in contact with infected food, other reptiles, or even objects such as plants or rocks. The most common form of intestinal parasites is worms including roundworms, hookworms, and pin worms.

Symptoms of an intestinal parasite infection includes loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms can also be associated with other reptile infections. Therefore, if your pet reptile has these symptoms you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to ensure your pet gets the proper diagnosis. One way to determine worm parasites are to blame is if you actually visibly see worms in your reptile's vomit or feces.

Some parasites are microscopic while others are large and look like spaghetti. There may be some parasites present in a reptile's environment without them having any symptoms. If you don't regularly clean your reptile's environment, the parasites can rapidly spread and create health problems for your reptile.

If you have more than one reptile, separate infected reptiles from healthy ones to prevent the parasites from spreading even more. They may have to remain separated for a few months.

Luckily, treatments for worm parasites are available. They kill the parasites and help the reptile's body rid itself of them. Medications may include de-wormers and antibiotics.

 To prevent parasitic infections in your reptile, regularly clean it's enclosure and take it for regular veterinarian appointments. If your reptile is a species that eats meat, feeding it pre-killed and frozen prey can help eliminate the chance of your reptile eating infected food.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.