Worming?

[tempest]

Hi guys,

In a post the other day someone mentioned having taking their python to the vet to have an annual worming shot. Just wondering, is this something that is necessary? Being new to herping, I've got no idea as to whether it's necessary (hadn't heard mention of it previously) and of course I want to do what's best for my boy, so I'm curious as to what the go is? I'm assuming that it would get costly for those of you with lots of snakes so it's probably not something that is vital as the cost would be pretty high...

Would like to hear what you all have to say.

Thanks!

[Pythoninfinite]

Best to get a faecal floatation test done first to see whether there's a problem anyway, you shouldn't routinely administer any chemical products to your animals without a good reason.

Most wildcaught snakes carry roundworms at least, and should be dosed as the product or your vet indicates. There are a couple of commercial reptile worming preparations available thru reptile pet stores which are effective and inexpensive. Best to administer by injecting the correct amount into a food animal (you'll need to know the weight of the snake), and repeat in about 14 days.

Jamie.

[mertle]

So for a captive bred animal is it necissary at all?

Or only if you see somehting wrong, if it's your only reptile and is fed only on frozen rodents it should be ok??

[Pythoninfinite]

Hi Mertle - there is likely to be few problems with captive animals fed on frozen rodents, but if in doubt you can take a fresh (<24hrs) poo sample (brown bit) to the vet and get a floatation test done, this will tell you if there are worm rggs in the faeces. It's a cheap test and they can usually do it while you are there (just have to look for eggs with a microscope).

You could probably use one of the worming products as a precaution, but I don't endorse the use of these things generally unles you know there may be a problem. Some snakes, Antaresias (Macs, Stimson's, childrens) for example seem to be more affected by worms, carpets on the other hand can carry very large worm loads (yucky) without any apparent problems. No worms is a good thing to aim for.

Jamie.

[Pythoninfinite]

That should have been captive bred animals...

J.

[tempest]

Thanks Jamie.

Kerri, that's what it sounds like but I was just going to ask the same thing!

[Magpie]

Best to administer by injecting the correct amount into a food animal (you'll need to know the weight of the snake), and repeat in about 14 days.

One thing that was pointed out recently is that you must use a very small food item, otherwise instead of getting the correct dosage in one hit, the snake will get a small dose over several days which may not kill some worms.

[Pythoninfinite]

Good thinking Magpie... reduces the urge to powerfeed too!!! But we won't go there...

J.