🧫 Cryptosporidiosis in Lizards & Snakes: A Vet’s 2025 Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Cryptosporidiosis is a highly contagious and often deadly gastrointestinal disease in reptiles, caused by parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium. These parasites infect the stomach or intestines and are especially dangerous in lizards and snakes. 🦎🐍

🔍 What Is Cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidium parasites damage the lining of the digestive tract, preventing nutrient absorption and causing long-term illness or death. The infective form — the oocyst — is passed in feces and can survive in the environment for years. 🦠

Target Areas:

• 🐍 Stomach (e.g., in snakes — Cryptosporidium serpentis)
• 🦎 Small intestine (e.g., in leopard geckos — Cryptosporidium varanae)

🧠 Symptoms of Infection

In Lizards:

• ⚠️ Extreme weight loss ("stick tail")
• 💩 Diarrhea or loose stool
• 🍽️ Poor appetite, hiding, or inactivity
• 🥶 Preference for cooler areas

In Snakes:

• 🤢 Regurgitation 3–5 days after eating
• 📏 Firm bulge in the mid-body
• 📉 Weight loss, lethargy

📋 Diagnosis

Your vet will begin with a full exam and history, then recommend:

• 🧪 PCR test — from feces, cloacal swab, or stomach wash
• 📸 X-rays — to look for GI swelling or mass
• 🩺 Bloodwork — to assess hydration and organ function

PCR testing is the gold standard. For stomach infections, a stomach wash or biopsy may be required. 🔬

💉 Treatment

There is no cure — but paromomycin may help reduce parasite numbers and improve quality of life. Treatment focuses on:

• 💊 Paromomycin (long-term, often lifelong)
• 💧 Fluids (oral or injectable)
• 🧃 Liquid diets and nutritional support
• 🛏️ Isolation and stress reduction
• 💊 Additional treatment for secondary infections

Injections, soaking, and careful husbandry are key. Follow your vet’s protocol exactly. 📆

📈 Prognosis

• ⚠️ If improvement is seen in 3 weeks → guarded to good
• ❌ If no weight gain or appetite → poor prognosis

Many infected reptiles are euthanized when unresponsive to treatment. Survival varies greatly. 🧠

🧼 Prevention

1. Quarantine

• 🐍 Snakes: 3-month isolation
• 🦎 Lizards: 1-month isolation

Test during quarantine using PCR. Reptiles should be eating, healthy, and parasite-free before joining your collection. 🔬

2. Isolation of Infected Animals

• 🦠 Separate any crypto-positive animals
• 🧼 Use dedicated tools for each cage

3. Sanitation

• 🚿 Steam or use special disinfectants to kill oocysts
• 🧤 Clean hands and tools between animals

🧬 Is It Contagious to Humans?

No — reptile strains of Cryptosporidium do not infect humans. 🧠

📱 Need Help Managing Crypto? AskAVet.com

If your reptile is losing weight, vomiting, or showing signs of “stick tail,” download the Ask A Vet app to connect with reptile-experienced vets. Get help with testing, treatment plans, and cleaning protocols. 🐾💬

Early intervention gives your reptile the best chance. With expert care and sanitation, you can prevent and manage cryptosporidiosis. 🦎🧪💚