WLP getting tested for Inclusion body disease.

It's been a while now, but unfortunately, back to the vet again for Nicodemus. He had been gaining good weight, but took a turn and started losing interest in food again more recently, lost a significant amount of weight and has actually regurgitated his meals twice now. By appearances, he doesn't look to have gained any real size to him

After the first time, I waited 3 weeks after since he was also going into shed, and he threw up again, even with a smaller meal. Brought him into the vet and they think it's cryptosporidosis now. I was worried the hookworms just weren't out of his system, but they said that his parasite load would need to be high for that.

Theyre having me feed him again. If he regurgitates, I need to take a swab of the feeder in for testing. If he holds it down, they want to see him 3 days after. I'm really hoping it isn't waht they think it is, but I'm at a loss.

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I'm so sorry to hear this, & I sure hope they're wrong about the diagnosis- only time will tell I guess, but you've had him for quite a few months now. I'm not sure just how long it takes crypto to become symptomatic, but let's hope this is something else- something that they can treat. Poor snake, & you've worked so hard for this guy too. Still hoping for the best, thanks for the update.

Has he still been in isolation? Also you said the vet wanted to do a fecal exam last fall, did they look for crypto or just hookworms? Crypto is a different test and even then false negatives are possible since it only shows up if the critter is actively shedding the parasite.

Run your hands along his mid-body. One of the last symptoms of crypto to show up is mid-body thickening. You might feel it before you can see it.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Has he still been in isolation? Also you said the vet wanted to do a fecal exam last fall, did they look for crypto or just hookworms? Crypto is a different test and even then false negatives are possible since it only shows up if the critter is actively shedding the parasite.

Run your hands along his mid-body. One of the last symptoms of crypto to show up is mid-body thickening. You might feel it before you can see it.

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Wow! What a story of ups and downs! Thanks to OP for all those accounts and updates, thanks Bogertophis for all the steadied concern and support. bcr229 thanks for being the consummate professional with your advice and support as well. This reptile has been through quite a bit. I was thinking when he was on the antibiotics and going through the weight loss that maybe we could’ve considered soaking in H2O to help with hydration and kidney support. Along with the tube feedings. Although uncertain how and if it would’ve changed what’s happened up to this point.

Cloacal tissue being as absorbent as a sponge. Drinking water as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Has he still been in isolation? Also you said the vet wanted to do a fecal exam last fall, did they look for crypto or just hookworms? Crypto is a different test and even then false negatives are possible since it only shows up if the critter is actively shedding the parasite.

Run your hands along his mid-body. One of the last symptoms of crypto to show up is mid-body thickening. You might feel it before you can see it.

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I haven’t changed anything aside from moving him back to paper towels and increasing his temps slightly, and giving him extra water. Bare minimum interaction, I've been hands-off since all of this started to avoid added stress. Spaced out feedings more as he was becoming more fickle, which he does around when he sheds. Aside from that, I thought it was related to the seasonal temp/pressure changes. I guess that was wishful thinking.

They didn't specify what the criteria was with the fecal, but I don't think they specifically mentioned crypto. I told them he was a wild-caught import, but I'm not sure how narrow their search was, but they just told me they didn't see anything else aside from the hookworms.

I'm going to look him over now. I didn't think I felt anything because I did read about that after the vet suggested the diagnosis. He didn't get a follow-up fecal after the Metronidazole treatment because he bounced back so well, and at the checkup they said he didn't need anything else and cleared him.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Has he still been in isolation? Also you said the vet wanted to do a fecal exam last fall, did they look for crypto or just hookworms? Crypto is a different test and even then false negatives are possible since it only shows up if the critter is actively shedding the parasite.

Run your hands along his mid-body. One of the last symptoms of crypto to show up is mid-body thickening. You might feel it before you can see it.

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Just checked him over, no thickening or anything abnormal physically, no diarrhea either. I'm a bit confused about the disease and symptom progression relating to him, but maybe that's me really hoping this isn't what he has.

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:confusd: So it still might not be crypto- I sure hope you (& your vet) can get him figured out.

Honestly I'd be surprised if it were crypto since you've had him a year. If it is then the only reason he's still alive is because of the exemplary care he's received from you.

I wouldn't think "crypto" after all this time either. Unless it was accidentally acquired from another critter somehow?