How do you go garter hunting?

[Invisible Snake]

I've heard that WCs have a high probability of carrying parasites, best thing to do is get a fecal float done by a vet.

[guidofatherof5]

I've heard that WCs have a high probability of carrying parasites, best thing to do is get a fecal float done by a vet.

Usually this is money well spent.

[ConcinusMan]

I've heard that WCs have a high probability of carrying parasites

Which is why most, if not all of the ones I keep are treated as if they do have them. I've noticed some locatilites do not have a high parasite problem, while others do, and OSU zoology dept is aware of it. Bad tapeworm problems in some areas are linked to rough skinned newts that serve as an intermediate host. Some locations without the newts have snakes that carry very low parasite loads.

I don't bother with the floats and just treat them all anyway. They seem to tolerate it pretty well, and for those infested, it works wonders for them.

[Invisible Snake]

I don't bother with the floats and just treat them all anyway. They seem to tolerate it pretty well, and for those infested, it works wonders for them.

Is there any potential harm or side effect in treating a parasite-free garter with those meds/treatments?

Also whats the name of the drug/treatment you give them? Is it a broad spectrum med or is it a specific parasite med?

[jaleely]

I figured you did that Richard. It would be the easiest since there are so many. I've heard you can use dog dewormer that's from petsmart, or petco chains. I forget what the name is though.
Hubby wants to go diving tomorrow (we haven't been in a while) so no herping on the 4th of July..probably a lot of people out anyway. Maybe this weekend! I can't wait to go. I'm going to go about it all differently! And gonna have my big stick! LOL

[Dualll]

Just to hop onto this thread, anyone know any potential spots in or near Orange County, CA?

I've only seen one, but I had to go through a good drive and hike East to do so. I've found a variety of snakes here such as gophers, rattlers, king snakes, coachwhips and green snakes, but rarely any garters and that's a real shame. One of my herping goals is to be able to see and photograph garters in the wild and so far it's been a challenge here. My next stops are the Long Beach and Huntington Beach areas as I see some nice, wet areas with amphibians around that could be suitable for garters. I'll update if I come upon one, fingers crossed.

[ProXimuS]

Is there any potential harm or side effect in treating a parasite-free garter with those meds/treatments?

Also whats the name of the drug/treatment you give them? Is it a broad spectrum med or is it a specific parasite med?

Ok so when I got my snake done, they used Metronidazole and Fenbendazole. I realized those are both things my dogs has had before. The Metronidazole she took when she had an upset tummy(horrible diarrhea...) and we weren't sure what it was. If I'm not mistaken it's like an anti-biotic type thing to kill bacterias. The Fenbendazole she took for tapeworms(gross..). I do believe the Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum thing...The most common "brand name" of it is Panacur. When I took my snake in, the doctor didn't even do a fecal float, and just went ahead and dewormed him(since he's WC). It doesn't hurt(assuming they're not given too much)to give them a dewormer even if they may not have the worms. That's what I've been told for my dog, and my snake now too.
I hope this helps some...I feel like it's a bit of a ramble...

[Invisible Snake]

Thanks Emily it helps, were the meds administered via syringe or did the snake have to ingest it?

[ProXimuS]

Both. The vet used a little bitty like plastic/flexible syringe and put it down his throat and squirted the little bit of meds in. It sounds mean, and he didn't enjoy it too much...But it was for his own good, and he did handle it well...But I know it couldn't have been very fun for him

[ProXimuS]

Might I add when my dog had them, the Metronidazole was a pill and the Panacur was powder to put on the food. I guess it's gotta be different for snakes...