tegu diarrhea help please

[Nero557]

Hey guys this kid I know has a tegu with diarreha and he took it to the vet and the vet gave him this medicine for coccidia treatment, metronidazole, with the indications of 3 doses for 3 days, and told us to give his tegu pediatric oral serum to keep him hydrated. when he got home from the vet the diarrhea stoped. He believes it was caused by a piece of turkey that smelled bad, but they thought it was because it was in the fridge.
the vet made some fecal exams and the result was an egg of coccidia, and told him that this was the cause of his illness, so he gave the tegu a shot with enrofloxacin and another medicine for the colics because he started with this horrible diarrhea, to the point of sprouting his intestinal mucose out of his cloaca for some minutes. So any help that could be added to this would be much appreciated. he wants to know if the vet did the right things, if anyone heard of the medications he was using and if they were right. if this happened to anyone else before and what they did. He also said that one of his tegus only got sick where as the other one didn't (they are both columbian black and whites) any suggestions would be helpful, thanks in advance, -Art-

 

[hhmoore]

Coccidia is a fairly common protozoal infection, and can occur in CB or WC collections. Transmission is often by ingestion of contaminated prey animals (insects, mice, whatever). Before anyone blames their suppliers, keep in mind that feeders (even f/t or cooked meat) can be infected by contacting feces or a poorly cleaned bowl.
Now, the drugs you mentioned: metronidazole, enrofloxacin, and the mystery anti-colic. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is a common antiprotozoic agent...but I don't know that it is particularly effective against Coccidiosis. I have never treated it personally, but I believe that Sulfadimethoxine (Albon) is the most common treatment. Enrofloxacin (Baytril) is an antibiotic, and I am uncertain as to what benefit it might be in this instance. The anti-colic medication makes sense, since the Coccidia likely caused some spasming (esp since the Flagyl and Baytril can both cause diarrhea, as a side effect).
If it is, in fact coccidiosis, my thought would be that he should treat both tegus if they are housed together. If they are separate, there are two schools of thought: 1) leave well enough alone, and 2) treat them to be sure. Ok, I was wrong. There is a third - get the other one tested and make the decision based upon the results.
My intent was not to contradict what the vet prescribed - after all, I certainly don't have DVM after my name...nor do I have access to the same literature.

 

[varnyard]

Coccida are endoparasites. They are peculiar little beasts that live in the lining of the stomach. They can occur in just about any type of reptile, and even in amphibians as well. They are transmissible to other reptiles/amphibians. Harald is right about getting both animals treated. I have used Corid for these as well as metronidazole or better known as Flagyl (Flagenase). Also treatments of Tribrissen. The animals affected by these parasites usually show signs of rapid weight loss, and bloody tinged stools that are loose. I would also say I am not a vet, and it would be best to let him diagnosis treatment for these parasites.

 

[Nero557]

Thanks for helping guys, sure is appreciated.

 

[varnyard]

Not a problem, glad to help!!!