Parasite treatment???

[GarterSnake]

Hello!

I have had my Eastern garter for several months now, and I know, since he is WC, he is sure to have parasites. My problem is, I absolutely CANNOT afford a vet visit, but I don't know how to dose him myself. I have a tube of Fenbendazole and a scale, but I'm not sure I'm confident dosing it myself, or how to administer it for that matter, since he only eats live fish. (It's a long story, but to sum it up he won't eat things that don't move, is too skittish to be tease-fed, and absolutely refuses worms no matter what I do to them. Believe me, I've tried.) Any help with that?

Thanks!

GarterSnake

[guidofatherof5]

I completely understand your situation.
I wouldn't recommend treat unless it is necessary(confirmation of parasites). Do you have a local college with a vet. course or other science related courses that might look at a fecal sample for you. You might also find a reptile vet. and call him explaining what you need(fecal test only). Some vets. are sympathetic to these situations and will help out.
I know that Panacur is relatively safe but I still don't recommend any meds. unless they are needed.
I know you said you've tried everything but I can't imagine any garter turning down cut-up worm with crushed fish mixed in. Try placing a dish of this under the hide and see what happens.
If you find a vet. that will do it at a minimal cost let us know, maybe some of us can help you out ;)

[GarterSnake]

I can to the float myself, actually. I have a microscope and have done it with my cat before, she had roundworm. How would you recommend doing the thing with crushed fish? I have f/t silver sides but he won't eat those.

Thanks!

[guidofatherof5]

Whatever live fish you are feeding is what you should use. Simply cutup a fish or two crushing them so the fish goo will coat and cover the worm chunks. Give the meal a good mix and serve it up.;)

[GarterSnake]

Right, will do. I'll update when I've done the fecal float. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Great. What is a tube of Panacur? Is it premixed, granular or what?

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I would try to get him on frozen thawed food items before I treated him for parasites because if you treat him now and then feed live fish back to him you have a very good chance of reintroducing parasites right back to him. I know a lot of people use live fish, but I only do as a last resort because live fish are higher risk of parasites than frozen thawed. It is very likely that it has some parasites being wc, but fenbendazole only kills certain parasites! He may need metronidazole or praziquantel as well, but you wouldn't know without a fecal. How does the snake feel? Is he pretty solid? Does he have good weight? Do you have any pics of the snake or the snakes feces? Does the snake wheeze? Does he have any lumps under his skin? Is his poop solid, runny, or does it look like partial digested gelatin? Does his poop have any blood in it? Just trying to see what you're dealing with here! I would like to see a pic of the snake and it's feces if possible!
Hello!

I have had my Eastern garter for several months now, and I know, since he is WC, he is sure to have parasites. My problem is, I absolutely CANNOT afford a vet visit, but I don't know how to dose him myself. I have a tube of Fenbendazole and a scale, but I'm not sure I'm confident dosing it myself, or how to administer it for that matter, since he only eats live fish. (It's a long story, but to sum it up he won't eat things that don't move, is too skittish to be tease-fed, and absolutely refuses worms no matter what I do to them. Believe me, I've tried.) Any help with that?

Thanks!

GarterSnake

[GarterSnake]

Actually, he seems quite healthy, everything seems normal. I just assumed that he had parasites because I bought him WC. (Thought he was CB when I ordered him, my mistake.) But, I did a fecal float with a few of the newest samples, including one that was fresh from last night. And as far as I can tell, he's parasite free. Nothing worrysome on any of the slides.

[guidofatherof5]

Great update and no need for treatment at this point.
Now, with that being said it all rests on your confidence in reading the slide. I have all the tools to do in-house fecals but lack the experience and confidence yet in doing so. I wish I could volunteer at my vet's office to gain the skills I need. Might be a good idea to put a couple bucks away when you can to get a second opinion on your findings. I know that can be difficult in these challenging financial times though.;)

[GarterSnake]

Right. :)

Still going to try feeding him worms/fish slime for his next meal. Sure would be nice if I could get him on f/t.

[guidofatherof5]

Chop up a fish and mix in a few pinkies.

[GarterSnake]

Could I do the same thing with f/t silversides? I had mice as pets for pets for several years, and I raise rabbits. (Newborns look just like pinky mice, only bigger.) It's just my personal preference not to have to handle f/t mice. :)

[guidofatherof5]

Don't see why not. Mice are a more complete meal though.

[GarterSnake]

Okay, great. If I can steel myself I may upgrade to mice sometime, but I'll update after I feed him.

[GarterSnake]

Breakthrough! The three f/t silversides that were on his plate disappeared within a half hour of putting them there! :D I don't know if he actually ate them or if he just dragged them off and spit them out, but I don't want to bother him yet, just in case he might get scared and regurgitate, but it's sure a big step from completely ignoring them/acting afraid of them. I'll probably check and see if he ate them tomorrow?

[guidofatherof5]

Do you see a full belly on the snake?

[GarterSnake]

He's out of sight, probably under his low hide.

[guidofatherof5]

Not sure what substrate you are using but it might be wise to check for regurgitated food. Many snakes will eat the food again and it will be covered with substrate.
Best to remove it.

[GarterSnake]

My substrate is bits of blank newsprint that are about 2" by 3". Should I still check, there any danger of ingestion with those?

[guidofatherof5]

I would check no matter what the substrate

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Even though it's not sharp you still don't want him ingesting any bedding! Shredded newspaper can still cause impaction.
My substrate is bits of blank newsprint that are about 2" by 3". Should I still check, there any danger of ingestion with those?

[GarterSnake]

Yep, I checked it. There were no regurgitated/uneaten fish in his cage. I also found fresh feces, it looked normal except that it had a very small(less than 1/2 inch) bit of what looked like undigested fish. Is that normal for his first meal of f/t silversides?

Thanks for all your help!

[guidofatherof5]

Yep, I checked it. There were no regurgitated/uneaten fish in his cage. I also found fresh feces, it looked normal except that it had a very small(less than 1/2 inch) bit of what looked like undigested fish. Is that normal for his first meal of f/t silversides?

Thanks for all your help!

Any photos of this possible undigested fish?

[GarterSnake]

It dried up really fast, now it's just barely noticeable, very light brown dust.