Cryptosporidium in Reptiles Symptoms

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can affect both humans and reptiles. Humans and reptiles can become infected from drinking water containing cryptosporidium, and reptiles that are fed wild-caught prey are also at increased risk of becoming infected. Cryptosporidium can cause serious illness and death in reptiles, and is very common in leopard geckos. Many reptiles can be carriers of the parasite without exhibiting any symptoms, and the most common symptoms of cryptosporidium are similar to the symptoms of other reptile illnesses, making it extremely hard to diagnose without doing a fecal exam under a microscope.

  1. Weight Loss

    • Extreme weight loss caused by a complete loss of appetite and lack of interest in food is a major symptom of cryptosporidium in reptiles. Typically, reptiles such as snakes can refuse food for long periods of time (as in months) without losing weight, which is no cause for worry. When the reptile begins to lose weight rapidly to the point of being skin and bones, this is a cause for concern and when combined with other cryptosporidium symptoms it may indeed be a parasitic infection.

    Darkened Liver

    • In light-skinned reptiles, such as the leopard gecko, the darkened liver is actually visible through the skin to the naked eye. This enlarged, darkened liver will appear as a large blueish blotch underneath the skin.

    Swelling

    • In many lizards and snakes, extreme swelling of the midsection and distended stomachs are also symptoms of a cryptosporidium infection, according to the website Avian Biotech.