Breathing problems?

[the_edsta]

Just a sad update from today... it turns out that, after much treatment, food strikes, etc., and after clearing the retained ovum problem, getting her back on food, having her stop eating again, etc., her fecal exam came back with a an extremely high concentration of Pentastomes. Not only are these aggressive and deadly parasites they are also infectious to humans. Not very good news for sure. I hope the male she was in with for a while is ok...

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear the bad news. Keep us posted about the male.

[d_virginiana]

Sorry to hear that One of mine (sadly she passed away) had parasites that were transmittable to humans and other mammals a year or so ago, and they never were transmitted to us, my dog, or any of my other reptiles even though we had been using the same equipment for everyone. Hopefully you have similar luck with that.

[the_edsta]

Sorry to hear that One of mine (sadly she passed away) had parasites that were transmittable to humans and other mammals a year or so ago, and they never were transmitted to us, my dog, or any of my other reptiles even though we had been using the same equipment for everyone. Hopefully you have similar luck with that.

Thanks guys. And thanks for the positive thoughts. I wouldn't be nervous about it had I not personally massaged this load of parasites out of her and into my hand just two days ago. I washed, of course, but still no fun. I feel
much worse for her than myself, though!

[joeysgreen]

I'm sorry to hear that. I've never had to deal with Pentastomids this far North but their large physical size makes them a very tough foe to fight. If there is a large burden then the prognosis is dire. I am curious as to what treatment plan the doctor has for your snake.

[the_edsta]

I am sorry... I was not at all clear about this; he recommended that she be euthanized. She was so weak from the various problems she has had (down from 210 grams to 125) that any course of treatment was likely to be fatal regardless. I put a lot of time/money/worry into her already, so it was really a decision between clinging to her or letting go. The fact that the parasite is also dangerous to humans, and I had bathed her in the bathroom sink that my wife also uses, certainly weighed heavily on me (though I still held her for a long time building up the will for it).

[joeysgreen]

ah, again, sorry to hear.

[the_edsta]

Thanks. If there was a lesson to be learned, it was to be extra careful with hand washing etc, as I had no idea that such a transmissible parasite could be hanging around in my otherwise parasite free snake room (not to mention one that, if it takes a human as an end-host, needs to be surgically removed from the lungs!).

[snipstedy]

Dangerous to humans too,wow. My snake was wild caught from early spring( worm size). I've been noticing that its high risk taking wild caught snakes in but no signs of illness with mine so far. I want to order a captive bred coming upto keep he/she company and so he will be less nervous(always hiding) . Very sorry to hear about your loss.

[guidofatherof5]

Many w/c garters live normal lives with a parasite load. The problems come when they infect cage mates. Old/sick snakes can die from the stress the load puts on there weakened immune system.
I think it's best to look at any wild caught snake as carrying a parasite load.