🧪 Nematodiasis in Amphibians: A Vet’s 2025 Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment & Quarantine | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Nematodiasis is the medical term for an infection with parasitic worms — nematodes — in amphibians. These infections can affect the lungs, intestines, skin, and even eyes, and can be difficult to fully eliminate. 🐸🪱

🔍 What Is Nematodiasis?

Nematodes are microscopic parasitic worms. Two major types cause disease in amphibians:

• 🫁 Rhabdias — lungworm
• 💩 Strongyloides — intestinal worm

These worms reproduce on their own (self-fertilizing), leading to superinfections in stressed, overcrowded amphibians. Re-infection from contaminated soil, water, or cage props is common. 🔄

⚠️ Symptoms of Nematode Infection

• 📉 Weight loss or visible emaciation
• ☠️ Sudden death (especially with lung or GI infestations)
• 💩 Diarrhea or abnormal stools
• 💨 Buoyancy issues — floating or rolling in water
• 🧱 Lumps, skin nodules or white vesicles
• 🪱 Worms seen in mouth, skin, eyes, or cloaca
• ⚠️ Dull coloration or loss of bright markings

🧬 Affected Species

All captive amphibians can be infected. Higher-risk situations include:

• 🧪 Exposure to wild-caught or unquarantined animals
• 🚫 No quarantine protocols
• 📦 Overcrowded, dirty enclosures
• 💧 Organic substrates that retain moisture

🧫 Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a full history and physical exam. Diagnostic tests may include:

• 🧪 Fecal exam (look for eggs or larvae)
• 📸 Transillumination to view internal granulomas
• 🧫 Skin scraping, oral swabs, or biopsies of nodules
• 🩸 Bloodwork or X-rays for advanced disease

💊 Treatment

The goal is to reduce the nematode burden, improve comfort, and prevent spread. Treatment is long-term, and full elimination is difficult. 🧠

Anthelmintic Medications:

• 💊 Ivermectin
• 💊 Fenbendazole
• 💊 Levamisole
• 💊 Milbemycin

These may be given orally or topically, depending on species and infection site.

Supportive Care:

• 💧 Soaking for hydration
• 🍽️ Syringe or tube feeding for anorexic animals
• 🧪 Antibiotics if secondary infections are present

Group Treatment:

Often the entire enclosure or group must be treated to prevent reinfection. 🔄

🛡️ Prevention

1. Quarantine New Arrivals

• 📦 Minimum 90-day isolation
• 🔬 Screen with fecals and transillumination
• 💊 Preventive anthelmintic treatment may be recommended

2. Sanitation

• 🧼 Replace organic substrates after infection
• 🧴 Disinfect enclosures, hides, and water dishes thoroughly

3. Husbandry

• 🌡️ Maintain ideal humidity and temperature
• 🧠 Avoid overcrowding
• 📋 Monitor animals for signs of stress or illness

📈 Prognosis

• ⚠️ Guarded — due to resistance and reinfection risk
• ✅ Better with early detection and environmental correction

📱 AskAVet.com for Parasite Screening & Support

Suspect worms in your frog or newt? Download the Ask A Vet app to connect with exotic veterinarians for testing plans, safe deworming, and biosecurity guidance. 🐾💬

With the right treatment and husbandry, even heavily infested amphibians can recover. Let’s keep their habitats clean and their bodies worm-free. 🐸💚