IDing Parasites in Dart Frog Fecals

[RichFrye]

This statement was posted on the Board and is not the case:
" Contrary to popular belief any vet should be able to do a frog fecal. They are looking for the same parasites. Most vets probably send the fecals out to a lab anyway."
The actual IDing of very specific parasite , be they worms or protozoa, takes quite a bit of time and experience. You would be AMAZED at the number of very incorrectly IDed parasites done, in shop, by "reputable" vets and/or techs. There are a great number of protozoa that look similar to coccidia but are not. I would feel very safe in saying that the average vet or vet tech would not be able to tell the difference.
Maybe time for a "Crap Off"?
Rich

[BD79]

Rich, is there a site where pics or identification guides of these "nasties" can be found? My local vet does a pretty good job but if it is at all possible I would like to learn to do it myself. At least to be able to i.d. the fact that a frog may need to be de-wormed and/or quarantined for a longer period of time. Also, do I understand correctly that it is easy to confuse a bacterial infection with a parasite infestation?

[RichFrye]

Hi,
Didn't catch your name.
The short answer in no, there is not.
You really need to find a vet with Dart experience. Running your own fecals for personal info is fine but what happens when you find "something" in the fecal. Who will ID and prescribe the meds or give advise as to how to proceed?

On a side note , recently Dave from Ed's Fly Meat has given the green light for my brother to be able to do fecals at next year's MWFF. I just hope the schedule will make this possible for my brother next year.

Rich

[BD79]

Sorry Rich, my name is Brian. Thank you for the quick response. 1 day I'll be able to get to the MWFF. For now, I'm stuck in California.

[RichFrye]

Hi Brian, unfortunately I will not be able to make this year's MWFF either due to the fact it is on Labor Day weekend. Too bad because last year was a great time.
You can always mail fecals, check out the website.

Rich

[otis07]

very true! i brought mine to my local vet (who claimed to do exotics) and he said my frogs had pinworm (which they don't get), and he said half my stuff had coccidia and they would all die. i asked what treatment i should do and he said there was nothing to do, he said i could try giving my frogs panacur orally (with frogs the size of a pinky nail). then i sent them to your bro and it turns out most of them were "clean" (not with anything too harmful) and a few had hookworm not pinworm. i treated them with panacur and how they are all good!