Can bp catch anything from a leopard gecko??

[SSSSnakes]

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.

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.

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

[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

[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

[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]

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]

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

[Zoo Nanny]

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.

[Zoo Nanny]

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.

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

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]

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)!

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

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.