Big Problem help

[Gail]

It definately sounds like a nematode problem. The first thing I would do is get rid of ALL substrate you have - used and unused. Start with fresh.
I have used bleach to sterilize containers, as well as commerical sanitizers that are used on farms and in labs to clean animals cages. The key with any of them is to make sure you don't use too much per gallon of water, rinse well and dry well. I usually rinse, dry with a paper towel to get residue off, then rinse again and air dry. You will need to clean ALL of your cages. Take all of your tools - spoons, tweezers, etc and soak in alcohol or bleach solution - throw out any wooden tools and buy new. While cleaning the T's, put them in a clear plastic holding container that will let you get a good look at the underside so you can determine if they are showing infection. If they are, set them up in an ICU, don't put them back on dirt as the nematodes will just infest the dirt again.
When caring for the T's, keep a tub of alcohol handy and sterilize your tools in between each use.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it's better to be a safe as possible until you are sure you have the infection under control.

Gail

 

[Gail]

OH, forgot to add - you could have gotten the nematodes from feeders. This isn't going to be something you want to hear, but if you raise your own feeders, you might want to consider destroying all of your colonies and starting fresh. If you don't, and just buy crix locally - don't buy from your regular source anymore if at all possible and totally dissinfect your crix holding containers.

Gail

 

[MizM]

I would also quarantine them from each other right now. Keep them as far away from each other as possible.

If you can, get some liquid Cipro and some DMSO from a local vet, obtain it immediately and pm "bodisky" for dosage instructions. Nematodes and the ensuing bacterial infection CAN be killed!!

Best of luck, I just lost several favorite Ts to these nasy little parasites, I'm NOT letting it happen again! I've gotten the support of a local vet and can get the medications needed at the drop of a "buttplug!"

GOOD LUCK!

 

[crash769]

What is DMSO? How does it work and how do you use it?

 

[MizM]

Again, p.m. "bodisky" for details. R.I.E.S.M. has successfully battled nematodes with these two medications.

I haven't the slightest clue as to what it is! The only reason I know that Cipro is a powerful antibiotic is because of the anthrax scares in the news!

 

[crash769]

ah Thanks

 

[Sheri]

identification

Will nematodes appear as little white things in a T's water dish before they show up in the T itself? On a couple of occasions I have witnessed little white swmiining things in a couple of my water dishes. I then sanitize the dish and let the tank dry out for a while. This is a vague description but does this sounds like anything you are familiar with? I don't think they are pinheads.

 

[Gail]

I get them all the time when I let the tanks get too moist and they are harmless(at least they've never caused any harm to my T's), I believe they are springtails or some such thing, someone help me out here
But, anyhow, they are scavangers on prey remains and live in moist substrate so drying out does tend to kill them off.

Gail

 

[Sheri]

Originally posted by Gail
I get them all the time when I let the tanks get too moist and they are harmless(at least they've never caused any harm to my T's), I believe they are springtails or some such thing, someone help me out here
But, anyhow, they are scavangers on prey remains and live in moist substrate so drying out does tend to kill them off.

Gail

Thank you for sharing that - I needn't panic then and demand cypro at the local vet?

 

[Gail]

No, I don't think that Cipro is necessary. But you could try these if you have species that require you to keep the substrate moist all the time...

http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/hypoaspis.html

Also, I have used a powdered antibiotics called Terramycin-343 that can be found here...

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&mscssid=2C3J5L4E30858PRFD9HM49RBX4D92TA0

I used it on a spider which had been severly injured at the pedical and the injury had become septic to the point of stinking (it came to me that way, I didn't neglect it for it to be like that!). The Terramycin-343 is mixed with water. The spider recovered.

Gail

 

[metzgerzoo]

Since your tanks are glass you can use bleach to clean them as bleach will rinse off of glass. Just heed the earlier advice given here on rinsing well and air them out well. Good luck and I'm crossing my fingers that you don't lose anymore.

 

[MizM]

Originally posted by Gail
Also, I have used a powdered antibiotics called Terramycin-343 that can be found here...
I used it on a spider which had been severly injured at the pedical and the injury had become septic to the point of stinking (it came to me that way, I didn't neglect it for it to be like that!). The Terramycin-343 is mixed with water. The spider recovered.
Gail

Gail, how did you administer it? Orally or topically?

As far as little white things in the water, I've had those often... crix. They don't LOOK like crix at that stage, but when they are born, they are just little white things and seem to be attracted to the water dish. Just harmless (but annoying!) vermin!! Next time you see them, get something to magnify them with, you'll be able to better id them... AND calm your nerves!

 

[Gail]

Originally posted by MizM
Gail, how did you administer it? Orally or topically?

In this particular case it was topically as the main thrust, though I think that I may have put a little into her water. I mixed the solution really strong and dripped it into and onto the wound. I also used an antifungal called Funginail that people get for foot fungus on areas that obvious had fungal growth in addition to the infection.

Gail

 

[MizM]

Ahh, excellent idea. It was effective on the fungus?

I have access to super-fine hypos... have often thought of just shooting the antibiotic directly into the opisthoma. Although it must go through the entire digestive system to kill the 'todes, the main concentration of the nematode/bacterial infection resides in the abomen.

 

[Gail]

I'd considered the injection route too, but I was afraid that I might do more damage if, say, I happened to get the needle tip into some internal organ and burst it by filling it with the injection. It's not exactly like we can give a subcutaneous injection or a muscle injection like you do with a mammal. It's too bad that there aren't more "scientists" out there doing controlled and extensive studies of the ways and means to medicate and treat T's. The bad thing about that if they did is that I am sure a lot of T's would give up the ghost in the name of learning.

Gail

 

[MizM]

Originally posted by Gail
It's too bad that there aren't more "scientists" out there doing controlled and extensive studies of the ways and means to medicate and treat T's. The bad thing about that if they did is that I am sure a lot of T's would give up the ghost in the name of learning.

Gail

Ahh, but we have R.I.E.S.M!! That's where I send all of my T bodies, and I'm pretty sure that's who discovered the nematode cure.

If you haven't checked this out yet, PLEASE do!

I am a staunch supporter of R.I.E.S.M. and encourage EVERYONE on the boards to contact them when any of their poor Ts die. Right now, they really need Ts that died from nematode infestation to further their study on the cure. But they also need healthy T bodies as there is SO MUCH to learn!!

 

[metzgerzoo]

might be asking the same Q twice

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I'll be darned if I can remember where and my searches are turning up nothing.
Sooooo...are crix and feeders the only way to "inherit" nemotodes?

 

[MizM]

I'm not sure of ALL of the sources, but I know for sure:
Feeder mammals
New, WC Ts, already infected and in contact with the rest of your collection

Code probably knows alot more about them!