Moon's Graden

Hey all,

Do any of you know if there is any good treatment for cryptosporidium
infections in reptiles?

Also, where would you go to get a 6% solution of hydrogen peroxide (the
common drug store stuff is 3%)

Thanks for any and all answers.

Luke

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To email me, take out the trash.

You are talking about the intestinal waterborne parasite?

Where did your reptile contract Cryptosporidiosis?
What precautions are you taking to prevent the spread to other animals
and by all mean to you or other people?
In most areas of the country, you must report any infection from this
parasite to the Health Department in your area.

What is the use of hydrogen peroxide for treatment of this disease?  I
thought this was a disease that had to run its course!

No answers for you, just a few questions
Jim Smith

I suspect I've had a long term, chronic infection in a couple of my
gopher snakes, probably by introducing an infected animal to my
collection some years ago.  It recently got worse, and one of my snakes
died.  I have one other snake that is showing similar symptoms.

Quarentine and disinfection of cages and supplies.

Reptillian cryptosporidium is not infectious to humans, and vice versa.

Not a treatment, as a disinfectant.  Cryptosporidium oocytes are
unaffected by bleach, isopropyl ***, and most other disinfectants.
In my review of what little medical literature I could find on the
subject in a short period of time, there are three effective
disinfectants:  quaternary ammonia (windshield cleaning solution was
used in the study) is somewhat but not completely effective, 6% hydrogen
peroxide was a completely effective disinfectant after 13 minutes of
exposure, and exposure to UV light is reported to be effective at
killing the spores (not reptile UV lights, mind you, you need some fancy
equipment to get the UV for sterilization).

For all I know, the 3% hydrogen peroxide solutions you can buy at
***tores might work, too, but I want to be sure I kill the nasties.  I
have many seemingly healthy snakes and, as of several years ago,
cryptosporidium infections in snakes was both incurable and invariably
lethal.  This might have changed recently (hence my question to the
group).  Unfortunately, in my case veterinary treatment is not an option
  for about a month, but after late September/early October, I plan to
have my snakes tested and, if possible, treated for this parasite.
Until then, I am doing everything in my power to make sure that the
infection does not spread to the rest of my snakes.

Luke

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To email me, take out the trash.

I think you can get stronger peroxide if you get the stuff to bleach hair. I
have seen it at the drug store.

Luke,

Crypto.....ewwww....

Follow these links for more info (or for those interested parties):

http://www.indigosnakes.com/Reptilian%20Crypto.htm

http://www.deancloseprep.gloucs.sch.uk/chelonia/testudo/articles/dise...

In regards to Crypto being zoonotic (transferable from one species to
another), yes it is, but not the [direct] reptillian strain...

Here is some info on Zoonotic diseases (not just reptillian):

http://research.ucsb.edu/connect/pro/disease.html

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/zoonotic/

In regards to 6% Hydrogen Peroxide, this is the same stuff used by
Beauticians for coloring hair. Go talk to one of the gals at a local salon
and ask them if they would be willing to sell (or order) some for you.

Good luck!

~Wade

Thanks, Wade,

It looks like a trip to a beauty parlor is in order this weekend.

Luke

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To email me, take out the trash.