Can bp catch anything from a leopard gecko?? - Page 2

**Aaron_S** · 11-17-14, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 11-17-14, 05:05 PM

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** · 11-17-14, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

SSSSnakes · 11-17-14, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

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.

[QUOTE=Aaron_S;940843]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:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

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

kiiarah · 11-19-14, 04:14 AM

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?

murrindindi · 11-20-14, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

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

Pressure from what precisely?

**Tsubaki** · 11-17-14, 05:54 PM

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

**Aaron_S** · 11-17-14, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 11-17-14, 06:23 PM

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!

Zoo Nanny · 11-18-14, 12:49 PM

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/c...ssus-natricis/
HEALTH SCREENING OF REPTILES - Publications - Vetsonline.com

SSSSnakes · 11-19-14, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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/c...ssus-natricis/
HEALTH SCREENING OF REPTILES - Publications - Vetsonline.com

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

kiiarah · 11-19-14, 05:40 PM

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

Zoo Nanny · 11-19-14, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

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.

Zoo Nanny · 11-19-14, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

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.

murrindindi · 11-19-14, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

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)!