Can bp catch anything from a leopard gecko??

[kiiarah]

Hey guys, I have a new little friend...more on that later http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAQCAMAAAA oLQ9TAAACBFBMVEXq5/HMwciumJ6lkpe8s7vi4enr6fLDlp3Qj5nmo7jxsdLsrNTQk7yb 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 jpfEv8n///9Ky6hzAAAArHRSTlP///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////8ABZUVsQAAAKtJREFUGNNFjiFuAlEABWc2P12yYbu1TU8AjhAc QdZQgUE01XgOwQXwaELyFYIjoEjQJGiSVhZwFSB+u33mvXlqjA BjVZcARvjwLwswMklwy9Q5xmliUs0CZVqX8vfvqX4C8KyaFUXx lZjGMc9zX9VDOmipoaF23ANdVUNTt30HtUqodLjhTV2PVI07df Wuei21HWiqSfZRJdA6+Z8nArx81/wAAaj4UT1XAHdRYBvn0cKeFAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==. Just wondering if I need to quarantine the new little guy. He is a leopard gecko and I am not sure if anything is likely to be passed from him to a snake. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks! :)

[kiiarah]

Any thoughts? Is there maybe a different topic I could post this under where it would get more views by someone with experience in both species? :)

[Tsubaki]

Mites are transferable, other things i do not know of.

[Zoo Nanny]

Cryptosporidia can be transfered across a number of different reptile species. Geckos and ball pythons are both effected by it. So yes you should keep your gecko in guarantine.

[SSSSnakes]

Mites are transferable, other things i do not know of.

Snake mites are snake specific and do not live on other reptiles.

[Aaron_S]

Snake mites are snake specific and do not live on other reptiles.

Jerry is correct here. Leopard geckos don't get snake mites.

However, an animal should always be in quarantine.

[Tsubaki]

I have Had snake mites on a bearded dragon at my in-laws house, they do bite other reptiles.

[Aaron_S]

I have Had snake mites on a bearded dragon at my in-laws house, they do bite other reptiles.

Are you sure it wasn't a different kind of mite if it was infesting the dragon and enclosure? Mites are species specific. However, a single mite would take a meal and then continue on to find a better home.

With the hundreds of lizards I've dealt with in my time, I have never witnessed a snake mite infesting them.

[Tsubaki]

Hmm unsure now, it was back in 2006 so it's been a while. By the time he noticed a new snake having them it was too late we had to treat both the dragon and the snake, they seemed to like the lizard even better. These were not my animals b.t.w. but i did help getting rid of the mites.

[Aaron_S]

Hmm unsure now, it was back in 2006 so it's been a while. By the time he noticed a new snake having them it was too late we had to treat both the dragon and the snake, they seemed to like the lizard even better. These were not my animals b.t.w. but i did help getting rid of the mites.

Outside of actually knowing it isn't common. Back in the day when wild caught were more apparent and I was working in a reptile related pet store we had snakes come in with mites and the lizards next to them would be unharmed.

[Tsubaki]

And what about some lizard mites species infecting snakes? Just curious! In my memory they really affected both animals. (not saying i can't be wrong though)

I do know cat fleas are the most common fleas on both cats and dogs (and other mammals) , but dog fleas really prefer dogs over anything else. Could there be a mite that attacks a multitude of cold-blooded creatures?

[Aaron_S]

And what about some lizard mites species infecting snakes? Just curious! In my memory they really affected both animals. (not saying i can't be wrong though)

I do know cat fleas are the most common fleas on both cats and dogs (and other mammals) , but dog fleas really prefer dogs over anything else. Could there be a mite that attacks a multitude of cold-blooded creatures?

To my knowledge the mites we are familiar with are specific to their host. Just like there's wood mites and snake mites. Neither care for the others choice in food.

Now a snake mite feeds off blood. If they have to take a meal from a lizard or another host they will. It's all about breeding and continuing their own species.

I could still be wrong and there is a multi-host mite. I just may not know about it.

[Tsubaki]

Well it is interesting, can't find any documentation about it. Who knows how many different mite species there are that could affect reptiles.. I rather just keep them all at bay though :D

[Aaron_S]

Well it is interesting, can't find any documentation about it. Who knows how many different mite species there are that could affect reptiles.. I rather just keep them all at bay though :D

You and me both!

I wish more people participated in these type of threads. I find myself rather lonely dishing out advice at times.

[Tsubaki]

I will always try to participate, if i think it could be a contribution to the topic. Always nice to read/learn about other people's experiences, more input would be nice. Especially in topics like this, since i have only kept a hand full of lizards, significantly more snakes. There is so much left to be learned on the lizard end of it all!

[SSSSnakes]

I have Had snake mites on a bearded dragon at my in-laws house, they do bite other reptiles.

Snake mites have to have pressure on their back to feed, that is why the are snake specific. That is why they are founfd under the scales and by the cloaca, eyes and labia.

Are you sure it wasn't a different kind of mite if it was infesting the dragon and enclosure? Mites are species specific. However, a single mite would take a meal and then continue on to find a better home.

Can't feed unless they have pressure on their back, that is why they do not bother with lizards.


[QUOTE=Tsubaki;940887]
I do know cat fleas are the most common fleas on both cats and dogs (and other mammals) , but dog fleas really prefer dogs over anything else. Could there be a mite that attacks a multitude of cold-blooded creatures?

Fleas prefer dogs and cats, because they have a higher body temp. They will start to feed on humans if the dog and cat is protected.

To my knowledge the mites we are familiar with are specific to their host. Just like there's wood mites and snake mites. Neither care for the others choice in food.


This is correct. The best book I have ever read on this subject is, "Understanding Reptile Parasites", By; Roger J. Klingenberg, DVM

[Zoo Nanny]

Reading through this made me realize that I know nothing about mites so I decided to do some reading. It turned out to be very interesting. I have only seen mites twice. The Ophionyssus natricis is one mite that does infest not only snakes but some lizards as well. These mites are originally from Australia but are now found all over the world because of the exportation of reptiles. I even came across an article where a family went to the doctor because they had skin rashes. The rashes were actual bites from the Ophionyssus natricis mites on their snakes.
Thanks guys for piquing my interest

http://blog.wildlifesecrets.com.au/care-guide/snake-mites-ophionyssus-natricis/
HEALTH SCREENING OF REPTILES - Publications - Vetsonline.com (http://www.vetsonline.com/publications/veterinary-times/archives/n-44-22/health-screening-of-reptiles.html)

[Tsubaki]

Thanks for the info!

[kiiarah]

Thank you for the replies everyone! I am currently housing the new boy in a separate room and will continue to do so for the 90 days at least (which I hope would be long enough to rule out crypto). There seems to be very little information out there on what can be passed from one species to another. It is my understanding that crypto is transmitted through fecal matter and is not airborne, which I am hoping is correct. Right now the gecko tank is in my living room and the snake tank is in the bedroom, so the tanks are well separated but Shesha does spend time with me at my desk in the living room. I sanitize and wash religiously after doing anything in either tank, and always change clothes between working with either of them to avoid contact based transmission of anything. The gecko is on paper towels currently and I haven't seen any sign of mites. I don't suppose anyone knows how long it would take signs of crypto to show up? I have read that early symptoms include coughing, which I haven't seen, but I wonder how long an animal can be infected and contagious before displaying any symptoms. Also does anyone happen to know how an animal contracts crypto in the fist place? Is it the sort of thing that they can get at any time, the result of poor husbandry, etc? I am guessing most contact is from an already sick animal, but where does the first sick animal get it from? In other words, is it something I can completely stop worrying about after quarantine, or do I have to worry about it coming up out of nowhere. They don't come down with it like humans come down with colds right?

[Zoo Nanny]

Be sure to clean where ever you have him at the computer. It can be transferred through touch.
Best thing is to have the animals tested through a fecal test. False negative test are common though. Most zoos will test twice 90 days apart for new animals entering the collection.
Cryptosporidium (http://www.avianbiotech.com/Diseases/Cryptosporidium.htm)

[Tsubaki]

I always get any new animals stool samples checked out (And i do it myself for all my animals annually), even if the animal comes from someone i trust completely. :) it's not a bad idea.. Only found issues on a new snake once, it needed a worm treatment.

[kiiarah]

We don't have a herp vet close by, so it might be tough to do any testing just to see. Since he hasn't eaten yet he hasn't pooped again since the first one either. I am really careful with the handling. If I know I am going to need to do anything in the quarantine tank I make sure that everything I need to do with Shesha (including handling) is done first. The gecko isn't ever in contact with the computer or desk, only on my arms or against my clothes, so I always make sure that he is the last one I handle during the day to avoid cross contamination. Even Shesha doesn't really get to slither on anything in the living room since we have two cats that I don't fully trust to behave lol, so both of them pretty much only get in contact with my skin and clothes, which I sanitize/change out of between contact with them. Does anyone know if runny poops could be a sign of stress. Because he did poop once the day he got home, and it was runny but in the plastic container he was held in at the show there was a dry well formed poop. My first thought was that it was likely due to the stress of the show and the two hour drive home afterwards, but just thought I would run that by everyone.

[Zoo Nanny]

Any vet can do the fecal testing for you, they don't have to be an exotics vet. Also do a little looking at websites of the vets in your area. Many vets have an interest in exotics and see them in their practice even when they are not board certified. A quick google search for reptile veterinarian in your town will bring up those closest to you.

[SSSSnakes]

Reading through this made me realize that I know nothing about mites so I decided to do some reading. It turned out to be very interesting. I have only seen mites twice. The Ophionyssus natricis is one mite that does infest not only snakes but some lizards as well. These mites are originally from Australia but are now found all over the world because of the exportation of reptiles. I even came across an article where a family went to the doctor because they had skin rashes. The rashes were actual bites from the Ophionyssus natricis mites on their snakes.
Thanks guys for piquing my interest

http://blog.wildlifesecrets.com.au/care-guide/snake-mites-ophionyssus-natricis/
HEALTH SCREENING OF REPTILES - Publications - Vetsonline.com (http://www.vetsonline.com/publications/veterinary-times/archives/n-44-22/health-screening-of-reptiles.html)

I find that hard to believe, because Australia has strict limits on exporting any reptiles.

[kiiarah]

That may be worth looking into then. Still wondering how animals contract crypto apart from contact with an already infected animal.

[Zoo Nanny]

I find that hard to believe, because Australia has strict limits on exporting any reptiles.
I don't remember the year that Australia stopped allowing the export of wildlife but it was fairly recent. If they never allowed it how would all of the Australian snakes, lizards and birds be in the pet trade today? With the native fauna came the native mites.

[Zoo Nanny]

That may be worth looking into then. Still wondering how animals contract crypto apart from contact with an already infected animal.
Fecal contamination on surfaces. The eggs I believe are carried in the feces.

[murrindindi]

Snake mites are snake specific and do not live on other reptiles.

Hi, NOT true, there are no mites specific to either snakes or lizards, they can live on either.
Can you please show the source of your information?.

[murrindindi]

I find that hard to believe, because Australia has strict limits on exporting any reptiles.

Hi, it has nothing much to do with not allowing the exportation of our native animals at this present time, if the mites were on animals previously legally exported (looooong ago) they would have spread worldwide at that time. Though it has to be said animals still get smuggled out illegally to this day, possibly infected with mites (sorry world)! ;)

[murrindindi]

I have Had snake mites on a bearded dragon at my in-laws house, they do bite other reptiles.

Hi, you are correct, in fact "snake mite" is a misnomer, they infect lizards too.

[SSSSnakes]

Hi, NOT true, there are no mites specific to either snakes or lizards, they can live on either.
Can you please show the source of your information?.

If you have read my post, I already gave you one source of this information. I also have found it in many other sources as well, do the research yourself. Believe me or not, I don't care, I have researched this topic extensively.

[SSSSnakes]

If you have read my post, I already gave you one source of this information. I also have found it in many other sources as well, do the research yourself. Believe me or not, I don't care, I have researched this topic extensively.

Snakes mites can feed on some lizards, but do to their method of feeding they can not sustain a colony of mites. There are to many variables in a topic like this to discuss here. There are the common issues and there are rare possibly issues. There is never an absolute positive answer. It is like saying a single bee is a dangerous venomous insect, in most cases people would argue an say no. But the one person who is allergic to a bee sting and dies from it, proves everyone wrong. There always is an exception to the rule.

[Aaron_S]

Hi, NOT true, there are no mites specific to either snakes or lizards, they can live on either.
Can you please show the source of your information?.

Can you post up your information for everyone else to read as well please? I'd like to read it for my own personal knowledge.

[murrindindi]

Snakes mites can feed on some lizards, but do to their method of feeding they can not sustain a colony of mites. There are to many variables in a topic like this to discuss here. There are the common issues and there are rare possibly issues. There is never an absolute positive answer. It is like saying a single bee is a dangerous venomous insect, in most cases people would argue an say no. But the one person who is allergic to a bee sting and dies from it, proves everyone wrong. There always is an exception to the rule.

I cannot see any source you gave? You also stated that "snake mites" will not infect lizards because lizards presumably don`t have the same scale arrangement (overlapping) have you ever heard of skinks (Scincidae) just for one example?
You still need to do more research, you clearly have a very limited knowledge on this topic Mr "snakeman"! :)

[murrindindi]

Can't feed unless they have pressure on their back, that is why they do not bother with lizards.


Pressure from what precisely?

[murrindindi]

Can you post up your information for everyone else to read as well please? I'd like to read it for my own personal knowledge.

Hi, as you will see "snake mite" IS a commonly used term to describe them but they are NOT specific to snakes and can and do infest lizards, too...
Maybe we should all just use the term "reptile mites" instead! :)

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEV2anKW5U494Ai11LBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE0b2Rkc3F wBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1VJVUtDMDFfM Q--/RV=2/RE=1416534568/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.karingalvet.com.au%2fPet-Care%2fReptiles-and-Amphibians%2fReptile-Mites.asp/RK=0/RS=u.5TY3FiTaOCaWYRp5aIOuqepMM-

[SSSSnakes]

I cannot see any source you gave? You also stated that "snake mites" will not infect lizards because lizards presumably don`t have the same scale arrangement (overlapping) have you ever heard of skinks (Scincidae) just for one example?
You still need to do more research, you clearly have a very limited knowledge on this topic Mr "snakeman"! :)

If you research mites as well as you have searched this thread for my reference, it's no wonder you haven't found the correct info. I've been in the reptile industry for over 33 years and have never found a lizard infested with snake mites. With snake enclosure next to lizard enclosures and the snake enclosures infested with snake mites, the lizards were never effected. As I stated before, there are no absolutes, but snake mites can not start colonies with lizards. Do your own testing and research and stop believing everything you read on the computer.

And as far as sarcastically calling me, Mr "snakeman" and judging my so called limited knowledge, that is uncalled for.

[murrindindi]

If you research mites as well as you have searched this thread for my reference, it's no wonder you haven't found the correct info. I've been in the reptile industry for over 33 years and have never found a lizard infested with snake mites. With snake enclosure next to lizard enclosures and the snake enclosures infested with snake mites, the lizards were never effected. As I stated before, there are no absolutes, but snake mites can not start colonies with lizards. Do your own testing and research and stop believing everything you read on the computer.

And as far as sarcastically calling me, Mr "snakeman" and judging my so called limited knowledge, that is uncalled for.

Hi again, you use the name "snakeman" so I inserted "Mr".
Your knowledge on this subject IS limited if after 33 years you still insist that "snake" mites do not infest lizards, and you still insist they are specific to snakes!?
I`ve been keeping reptiles even longer than you (35 years), but that doesn`t necessarily mean I can`t make a mistake now and again (just as you have now done), and I suspect we BOTH hate getting things wrong after all this time (agony, sheer agony)! :)

[murrindindi]

Sheer coincidence....
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-lizard-forum/107274-my-skink-had-mites-all-over-him-new-post.html

[SSSSnakes]

Hi again, you use the name "snakeman" so I inserted "Mr".
Your knowledge on this subject IS limited if after 33 years you still insist that "snake" mites do not infest lizards, and you still insist they are specific to snakes!?
I`ve been keeping reptiles even longer than you (35 years), but that doesn`t necessarily mean I can`t make a mistake now and again (just as you have now done), and I suspect we BOTH hate getting things wrong after all this time (agony, sheer agony)! :)

I correct mistakes all the time and it is not sheer agony to me, it is learning. You need to stop judging people and their amount of knowledge, you have no idea what I know. Because of your attitude, I have no respect for you and will no longer reply to anything you have to say. Have a nice day.