Dealing with Cryptosporidium in My Collection Again

[@TheGammaLab]

Thanks for being so transparent brother! It’s much appreciated and respected!

[@NotOfThisWorld567]

Appreciate the transparency and the willingness to share your experiences and reject the fear that would make you not want to share this. Good choice! Thank you.

[@Lady_Ryl]

Thank you for letting us know about this. I had noticed that there seemed to be several snakes missing, but had assumed that they were in brumation. I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with this. My scale has a flat plate as the weight surface, so I weigh them in their individual holding bins. I just put their bin on the the scale zero it out and then put the snake in.

[@drewday3232]

Tragic news man. Good on you for hooking up your customers with tests. Way to improve your husbandry practices too. Keep your head up. I've learned a lot from you and continue to do so. Invaluable content.

[@jlozano2615]

So sorry to hear this, Germaine. Thank you for digging deep and finding the strength to post about this. I’ve personally learned so much from you and have gone through a crypto scare myself. It changed the way I keep my snakes and hope I never go through it again.

[@Gael32]

I can't remember who it was and I can't find the video anymore, but I think it was Jeff from JMG who interviewed a guy from a Kansas lab who was treating Corn Snakes for Crypto with promising results. I think the lab was also accepting live specimens to test treatments on.

[@hognosebestuk]

So sorry to hear this!! 😢 I'm grateful for you sharing this information as there needs to be more awareness of it and I am sure you are not the only one experiencing this, just one of the very few who are honest about it and I applaud you for that! 👏 It's going to take knowledge, honesty and good ethics to get rid of this in the hobby and unfortunately not everyone is aware or as upfront. I'm really sad to hear about the snakes that you have lost 😔 they were some of my favourites of yours. I hope you can move on from this and continue with your breeding plans. We need more people like you in the hobby 👍❤

[@HogginOut]

If this is the second time, have you researched the possible cause? Do you use tap water for your hogs? If so, that can be one possible source. I use bottled water. Cryptosporidium parasites get into surface water sources, such as rivers and lakes, from the stool (feces) of infected animals or people. Public water systems that get their water from these surface water sources can contain Cryptosporidium oocysts (the egg-like form of the parasite).

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

Is filtered water from my fridge okay? I feel like water seems like an unlikely source but I really don't know much about crypto. It scares me though so I'm going to have to do more research.

[@HogginOut]

@@Upper_echelon_exotics unlikely and you don’t much about it? Water can be the issue, especially if it happened 2 times in 1 year. I’m not sure if filter water from the fridge would suffice. Would have to research that issue. It’s just sad to hear this about his hogs.

[@bearsbeetsbsg8]

I doubt it’s the water. Came from Storm, the other hognose that shipped with the first infected snake, and cross contamination. You can boil tap water to help kill it, but I’m in agreement that when dealing with an outbreak bottle water is the best to go with. You could bring crypto to your sink and not be aware of it. Constantly disinfecting surfaces with 6-12% hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or hot steam/boiling water is a must.

[@AN0NYMOUS1_69]

Damn. So sorry to hear. Thanks for sharing the ups and downs.

[@darcieclements4880]

Hey man, I feel yah. I'm looking into a better way to handle this. I had an animal test negative for almost 2 years and she finally tested positive. I have suspected it this entire time, so much so that I have been treating her like she has it. Thankfully, she is my only animal, so I'm going to be working on developing a treatment (hey biology degree isn't useless after all). I suggest you keep all of them apart and do testing a few times, and also make sure the animal is tested while it is a bit stressed and get samples over several bowel movements in a row so you don't miss the shed cycle. 6-7% hydrogen peroxide soaks for 20 minutes plus on objects. Mechanical washing away of cysts is also good, but normal sanitation won't do much. Hope you are holding up okay. I would love to coordinate with you if you are interested.

[@bearsbeetsbsg8]

I’m sorry to hear about your snake testing positive. How many times did you test her before she tested positive? What strain did she test positive for? What made you suspect she had it? The symptoms Germaine described when his snake tested positive for C. varanii were different from what I’ve seen in a snake that tested positive for C. serpentis.

[@JonGilGonefishing]

Good for you for coming up on the other side of this. That was wise to wait on posting and not taking on everyone’s anxiety.

[@starkitty14]

So sorry for your loss. Thank you for being open and honest about this. I lost my first snake because the breeder was dishonest about their crypto outbreak.. I'm glad you're doing right by these animals.

[@honeybee1439]

I'm so sorry! This is heartbreaking 💔

[@prerolledexotics1169]

Ah man thats horrible im sorry for your loss bro! Your handling it like a professional should though my guy im sure if there was or is anyone else going through this they wouldnt be as open as you are for all of us out there to know what to look for and beware. Thank you for that and again sorry about your loss, keep pushing!

[@meiermckenzie79]

Oh my! Im so sorry to hear that buddy! Keep your head up. Im sorry for your loss

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

Thanks for sharing your experience with crypto. I've been keeping reptiles for 5 years and never came across this, at least not that I'm aware. I'll be checking my collection as well. It's so great you shared what you're doing to prevent cross contamination. And I had no idea that a person could just pick it up. So weird! Great info, thanks!!

[@LordoftheThings327]

Been gettin into hognose youtube vids, lookin to get into the hobby myself sometime hopefully soon, and these kind of vids are both a good look at what the hobby can be like even at its worst, as well as a level of honesty I respect a lot. It takes a big person to be open about something as devastating as this, and the fact that you're willing to post this and go into what steps you're taking now to keep them safe goes to show that you care about your animals first and foremost. Once I get my first hog, I hope its from a breeder with as much care for them and the hobby as you show for your animals 🐍👍

[@shovelnosehogs]

thanks

[@marshabruner1649]

that is rough and sorry about your losses, thanks for putting this out man.

[@pamelabates3861]

Thanks so much for your transparency, I wouldn't have known about this if you hadn't talked about it.

[@Firegamer-w5s]

You are honest. I think many won't share this kind of video becos it might affect their sale in the future..

[@shovelnosehogs]

@@Firegamer-w5s thanks for the comment

[@amandagarcia4845]

Tragic. I'm so sorry for your loss man. I love your channel.

[@JonGilGonefishing]

How long ago do you think the crypto was first introduced into the space? I’m wondering how long it took before you noticed the others had it. I’m nervous for my collection.

[@kaylacat7685]

RIP 🙏 very sorry for your losses.

[@teteejarr]

Sorry for your loss. Keep going what your love. Always support

[@bearsbeetsbsg8]

I’m so sorry about the loss of the sable girl and Hazel. Did you notice any symptoms in them before you got them tested? Did they test positive for the same crypto strain as the first snake? How long ago did you test them?

[@bensentance9246]

I feel for you Germaine, so sorry for your losses and well done for being honest with your customers, you've gone the extra mile. I really hope that's the last of your crypto troubles and thank you for the care and hygiene tips...it can happen to any one of us. 🙏

[@aliceaiken3162]

I'm sorry about your loss.

[@Gael32]

The problem with Crypto is that the test can come back negative but your animal can still have it. According to some breeders in the Facebook groups you need to test once per month for 3 months to get an answer because it can flair up and then die down whereas it is unlikely to be completely dormant all 3 months. Sorry you're still dealing with this Germaine. I had hoped the nightmare was over for you the first time. =(

[@ElijahSnyder]

All tests can come back with a false negative. The two ways to test for crypto are acid fast staining and molecular. Acid fast staining relies on 1) crypto being present in the sample, 2) the person performing the test can correctly spot the crypto in the smear, and molecular depends on 1) crypto being present in the sample. The reason that you consistently re-test is because they may not be shedding crypto sporidium when you test. Keeping your animals much warmer than they should be can cause you trigger false negatives (do not keep them cool, just keep the at the normal temperature), collecting the sample wrong can cause a false negative, and human error in the tests can cause false negatives.

[@aliceaiken3162]

You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Please do not give up.

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

Maybe you could find a way to use the cleaning tubs to weigh them in....you might be able to set a cup or something to balance the tub on. I'm so sorry for your loss. This is so sad.

[@HogginOut]

Damn man, sorry for your losses.. That's a shame.. Hang in there.

[@gigitcute]

Can you link the place you got the tests

[@shovelnosehogs]

Research Associates Laboratory (RAL)

[@saralou123]

I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this again!

[@operands]

My two anoles had crypto and the website I purchased them from had the audacity to suggest it was the food I gave her 😡. One died within a month and the second one died after 7 months. They deleted my review/comments. This website was selling the anoles as feeders and I can only imagine how many other pets they killed with their stupidity.

[@yzettasmith4194]

I hate this, especially about Hazel! I'm so sorry!

[@KarinMichelle]

From what I heard I'd just throw away anything any of those snakes touches

[@shovelnosehogs]

That's exactly what I did

[@JonGilGonefishing]

Dude I’m so sorry. Damn man, that’s upsetting.

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

I use rubbing alcohol to clean my phone. I just use those little cotton rounds to apply it. Cheap easy way to clean your phone. Don't know how affective it is for crypto but it's still good to do. The only thing I heard works for crypto is steam and I don't think it's possible to steam your phone.

[@bearsbeetsbsg8]

Physically wiping down surfaces with 6-12% hydrogen peroxide or ammonia is effective against crypto. I wipe and let the cleaner sit on the surface for 15 min before wiping dry or allowing to air dry.

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

@@bearsbeetsbsg8 Thank you! I have been wondering what is effective for crypto. It's so scary. I'm just starting out so hopefully I'm okay and can learn how to keep things clean in case I ever have to deal with it. I really wouldn't want it to spread.

[@bearsbeetsbsg8]

@@Upper_echelon_exotics no problem! I keep 6-12% hydrogen peroxide in stock at all times and regularly disinfect with it. I prefer it to ammonia as I don’t get a headache and research papers suggest it is more effective. I recommend you wear gloves when using, it stings. I would recommend getting new animals tested immediately and send out 2-3 samples for testing not just one at a time. Stress is a trigger to crypto and so testing after an animal is shipped or adjusting to a new environment is good timing. It’s important to repeat testing a couple months later too. Keep new animals quarantined for at least a year and don’t rely on breeder reputation to keep you safe.

[@mnvjim7900]

peroxide and ammonia along with steam are the only thing that can kill it. I’ve had a vet say if you have a positive, you might as well burn down the whole room. It’s that contagious and hard to kill. It’s also more common in colubrids.

[@JonGilGonefishing]

That is so scary.

[@MoonstonePlains]

Im learning SO much! Thank u thank u for this video. You might be preventing hundreds of animals from getting crypto! U are awesome! 🙏💕💕

[@shovelnosehogs]

Yeah I hope. Just trying to bring awareness to the topic

[@commercialelectrician133]

Very interesting

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

Oh no! 😭

[@monicdavis6150]

🤭Sorry for your loss, Omg.

[@davidmcgowen5475]

Terrible experience, but I think you are handling about as best that you could.

[@tamcsilva]

Such a bummer. Sorry you had to go thru this. Thank you for informing us.