Re: Worm Nematode causing death?

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Posted by Les4toads on September 12, 2002 at 10:22:03:

In Reply to: Worm Nematode causing death? posted by kumpfamily on September 11, 2002 at 14:21:58:

:As some fo you may know I received two HL's as a rescue project, now I knew from the start this was an uphill battle, but just could not stand by and let them go to an early grave without a fight.
:I had them four about four days and here is a breakdown of what I happened over that time period.

:The HL's arrived overnight and where in a box for about 12hrs
:Both where in the same container
:Female at first glance was huge, appeared gravid, bloated, something. She looked like she had swallowed a ball.
:Both lizards had a large helping of ants 20 or 30 a piece.
:Both lizards were soaked to replace water lost in mail. Both lizards drank more than any HL I have ever seen.
:That night I noticed female appeared incredibly skinny, I searched the tank for eggs, but found nothing.
:Day 2
:Health appeared great and on day 2 they joined my community
:No food was fed this day because ant supply was out.
:HL's seemed inactive and did not bask
:Day 3
:Ants did not arrive so each HL ate about 6 small crickets
:Day 4
:HL's not moving appeared to be very thin, I thought this may be because they were older lizards.
:That night they would not even move if picked up.
:I bathed them and gave them drink with a dropper both took water
:Day 5
:7:00am woke up female Dead small 1/4 inch worm hanging out her mouth. Picked her up she was skin and bones. Opened her mouth and it was completely full of the worms, they looked like Nematodes, but I have only seen Nematode pictures on the web.
:12:30PM checked on male. He had fecal protruding and stuck. I removed the fecal and about an inch long was still inside him. This was complete worms possibly nematodes.
:I examined his mouth and no worm were visible.
:12:40pm Male died.

:Pre-exisiting conditions
:Lizards had been eating crickets for atleast two weeks prior to my acquisition.
:Female had recently laid eggs

:Questions
:Is it safe to say these were nematodes?
:Could I have treated them?
:Are my other HL's now in danger?

:Thanks!

:It sure sounds like nematodes. I may also have been tapeworms. Either way, treatment may have been possible but it is hard to say. The crickets were the most likely carriers. Sometimes the containers that crickets are kept in are not the cleanest and that is where the problem starts. Ants can also carry nematode eggs, as well as mite eggs. A parasite is a parasite and transmission or transportation can occur in many forms. The best way to stop the problem is examining the ants or crickets or any food item offered. Clean out food containers after each use. Do not just add new supplies to containers as they arrive. The other HLs have been exposed but they may not be "infected." Keep a close watch. You can use mite treatments and such but dilute it by 1/10 or greater the recommended dose. Lester G. Milroy III

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