Cryptosporidium in Snakes: Research Coil originally presented 25 April 2023

[@saleemacruz860]

Thank for the thorough explanation of this parasite. Really informative breakdown.

[@Lucyy392]

Thank you for this vital information!

[@shanelowe3902]

Thank you!

[@honeybeeart9382]

This is really thorough and interesting. I have been doing just the simple fecal tests thru Research Associates Laboratories for my animals, tho, no one is sick or has any symptoms, it's just to be proactive since there is more than one snake here and I do babysit my friends 2 pythons. How long can a snake, in theory, carry this without ever getting sick? Can they carry it their entire life? I'm sorry to hear about Starburst, which snake is that? What species is he? Is he an older animal or was he sold to you as a baby?

[@LoriTorrini]

I would have to read the paper again to see if it mentions how long they can carry the crypto without being sick. I thas been over 6 months since I read it for this briefing. I am guessing it depends on the level of infestation and the snake's individual immunity. I do not believe it is something that most snakes can carry for an extended time without issues arising but I would double check that. Starburst is a Darwin Carpet Python, he was I think 2 years old when he arrived. He was showing clinical signs for over a year and had been tested at 3 different labs with negative tests until we used the University of Florida lab and Colorado State University did the lung wash to confirm he indeed has Nido. University of Florida's lab has the test with the most sensitive detection ability and will also be able to report which of the many strains of Nido the snake has/is carrying. As I said despite being positive, Starburst had tested negative at 3 other labs whose tests just were not as reliable.

[@honeybeeart9382]

@@LoriTorrini On no! I'm so sorry to hear about Darwin. I wonder as they do more research if they'll be able to tell if different strains are more or less lethal than others? I imagine the most accurate test is something very invasive that the average pet owner just doing preventive screening would not do tho, right? It's still okay to test the other ways just as a precaution on healthy animals?

[@hunterbergman6453]

Thanks for this, Lori! CSU is close to me and I was going to have them test one of mine for crypto. Is a PCR test done through fecal samples or a different sample type?

[@LoriTorrini]

I am not certain if CSU does the testing there or sends it to the University of Florida. When last took a snake up to CSU for a full work up they sent all the labs to University of Florida and did the other diagnostics there at CSU.

[@hunterbergman6453]

@@LoriTorrini thanks Lori! I will check with them. Appreciate you as always!