pinworms... :/

[lordbuba]

i just found out from the local vet that my AWD has an abnormally high number of pinworms, and the awd "Lana" is haveing problems with perception. i know to keep the viv extra clean cause pin worms are tough to get rid of, and i have some medicine for her to help. does anyone know what else i can to to help with this process?

[Rawksan]

Hi, Lordbuba

First - keep him in a very minimalistic enclosure (scott towel substrate, a bowl of water)

Second - yes, you are right, you got to get everything as clean as possible (means washing water dish at least with dishwashing soap every 2 days, and disinfecting EVERYTHING (including terrarium) with a bleach/water solution (as indicated on the label under the disinfection instructions, and then well rinsing.

Third - Do not handle you lizard except for cleaning terrarium, and when you do, carefully thoroughly wash you hands with dishwashing soap.

Fourth - Get the temp in the overall terrarium to at least 30°C, and your hot spot at 35°C. Your cold spot shouldn't be lower than 28°C. This will boost his immune system to its higest levels in order to help him fight the parasites. He might start to eat more, but that is just fine, and give him plenty of food, it will mostly be due to the heat, or because of the medics. The medics might cause him to have less apetite too, but since you raise your temperature, its a way to fight this effect.

* Important * : parasite fighting medics are very harsh on the kidneys, and therefore you must ensure you lizard will drink plenty of water. You should manually hydrate your lizard every 2 days. Tips : Feed him crickets you dipped in warm water (try to get some water drops that holds to the criket) using tweezers to present him. Feed him his favorite softworm/insect in a small dish filled with warm water; when he'll try to eat them, he will also absorbs lot of water.
Spray warm water on his vegetables (an significant quantity).

Fifth - If he eats vegetables, now is the time to feed him with ALOT of carrots. Same thing here, beta carotene in carrots GREATLY boost immune system, but other greens are fine too.

And finally - Good luck, you will most probably succede to get him free of parasites. It is a very good thing you did by bringing him to the vet, and you are already worthy for this. Keep following these steps, always watch him carefully during the treatment, respect the posology and go get him tested at the suggested date after the treatment is done. (Which usually is a week or two after the last dose).

Keep us updated!
Rawksan

[lordbuba]

Thanks for the care sheet. Lana my awd seems to be doing much better now. Her meds are almost done, and she is climbing and becoming as aggressive as she was before... ie thinking my finder is food and biting it ;D

only thing i noticed with her is when i put the both of them in my bathtub i find that her back right leg seems to want to float. makeing it hard for her to stand in the deeper parts.. my CWD Lex has no problems at any depth. does anyone know a reason that her leg wants to float?