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Crypto positive king :(

C

CandyCorn90

New member
Today I had one of my California kings diagnosed with C. Serpentis. Other than some gastric swelling (mainly caused by additional bacteria and gas in his intestines) he is eating and acting well. He has gotten a few doses of Flagyl and a lot of the swelling has gone down. I have other snakes so I am debating on what I should do with him. It breaks my heart because I am very attached to all of my snakes, but especially to him. Has there been any progress made towards a cure or treatment for crypto? I don't want to euthanize him but I want to do what is best for him and the rest of my snakes.

Also ever since I suspected crypto and got him tested I have been a nervous wreck. I use latex gloves when doing anything. I have trashed all my decorative water bowls and am using disposable deli cups. Everyone is now being kept on paper towels and I have scrubbed practically everything with ammonia. I am still afraid my other snakes have come into contact with oocysts, either through my own hands or feeding bins because I know they have used the same feeding bins in the past. I just don't know what to do. I think my biggest fear is my other snakes could now be infected and carriers not showing any symptoms for months, or maybe years. I have read snakes need to be test at least 5 times negative for crypto before they are clear. If that is the case I can't afford to test all 4 of my snakes for crypto :( It was $120 for the test on my king. Testing each of my snakes 5x would mean it would be $600 per snake.. I'm just so frustrated and heartbroken, I feel like I could spray myself in the eye with this bottle of ammonia >_<
 
I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't imagine exactly what I would do if I were in your predicament. My inclination is to tell you to keep the king in a different building from the rest of your collection if possible. Anything to minimize contamination. Though some argue that cross-infection isn't as easy some think with healthy animals. I have no experience with it firsthand, but I would endeavor to set it up at my work or a friend's house with it's own couple of caves, water dishes, etc. Keep him and his things out of the rotation. Keep your chin up. Do not expect your collection to start crashing around you and don't euth your Cal king! Please keep us updated, and we're all sending you good thoughts, pal.
 
in doing some digging, apparently 3-6% hydrogen peroxide is effective in killing Cryptosporidium parvum and its oocysts. You need a contact time though, e.g., the peroxide has to remain in contact with any infected surface for a certain duration. Studies and the CDC's page were showing 4 minutes contact for C. parvum with 6% hydrogen peroxide. C. serpentis appears that much more difficult to disinfect, with some pages saying a 10 minute contact time with 7.5% hydrogen peroxide.

bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is useless.

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/resources/childcare_outbreak.pdf

http://www.researchgate.net/post/Wh...infectant_for_Cryptosporidium_in_clinical_lab

http://www.goldengategeckos.com/crypto.htm

http://en.wikivet.net/Snake_Cryptosporidiosis
 
Thank you Chip.. I needed to hear someone say that. Everything I am reading says to euthanize but when he is acting like he feels good and is still eating that's a hard thing to do. I do have a separate building I can set him up in. It is climate controlled so he would be comfortable with his set up in there. So far all I have read is straight ammonia kills crypto with at least 30 minutes of contact. Even with lots of rinsing I don't feel comfortable cleaning their water dishes with that so if peroxide would work and be safe that would be great. I usually use a 10% bleach or clorohexidine to clean with but like you said it seems to be useless against it :(
 
So sorry to hear this, we wish you the best. As Chip suggested the best thing is isolation of the infected animal. Our reptile vet also told us when we inquired about crypto that exposure to extreme heat or UV light (sunshine) can help inactivate the oocysts but may not completely irradicate them. You can clean with ammonia and leave outside in sunshine for a period of time just to give you extra piece of mind if it helps. Thought we would pass this along to you since it came from a very reputable herp vet in our area. Best of luck and keep us posted.
 
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So sorry about your king but try to stay positive :) hopefully its not spreading anywhere. As Shiari asked, how did you know something was wrong from the start if you don't mind.
 
I first felt something was "wrong" about a month after I purchased him. He has regurgitated 3 times in the 7 months I have owned him. They were very spaced out and the first 2 times I wrote it off as stress and maybe eating a fuzzy that was a little too big for him. The last time he regurge was 3 months ago. It was 3 days after he ate. I also noticed he looked slightly fat from the stomach to tail. I waited 10 days and offered him a small pink. He kept it down and all seemed well. I kept him on pinks for the following 2 months and nothing changed until the beginning of this month. The swelling all of a sudden got more noticeable from mid body to vent. He just looked bloated and puffy. I took him in and my vet first did a fecal and I believe acid fast test. The fecal came back neg for parasites but on the acid fast he could see bacteria and small "protozoa". We then sent off a fecal sample for a PCR test which came back positive for C. Serpentis. I should have listened to my gut and made an appointment for him when I first felt something was up. Lesson learned :(
 
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