ZenHerper
Well-Known Member
Husbandry is not my issue. She is a greek tortoise and i have her on coco coir.
My concern at the moment is if i should be treating her for this giardia...and if so, what is the protocol. I will definitely not be putting her on shredded newspaper..i may be a newbie but i have some common sense lol!
Since giardia is contagious to people (like reptiles, we have variable immune response and success against them), veterinarians are essentially legally obligated to recommend treatment.
Protozoans will move quickly from dropped stool to moist, porous substrate. Stool should be removed from the enclosure upon first notice, with care being taken to scoop out a significant portion of the surrounding substrate. Some form of paper set up is easy to clean entirely upon notice of infective matter.
An asymptomatic animal probably has sufficient immune strength to manage the population, suffering no ill effects. Identification of a pathological population - even in the absence of symptoms - supports the choice to treat.
Everyone living and interacting with reptiles should always practice Best Standards of hygiene.