Lizard Formulary - Antiparasitic

Antiparasitic

Parasitic infections are common in lizards especially wild caught specimens. Environmental treatment is important.

Albendazole

• Antinematode
• 50 mg/kg PO as a single dose

Emetine

• Antiamoeba, antitrematode
• 0.5 mg/kg IM, SC q24h 10d

Fenbendazole

• Antinematode
• 100 mg/kg PO as a single dose

Ivermectin

• Antinematode, antiascarid
• May cause skin discoloration at injection site in chameleons
• Not for use in chelonia
• -0.2 mg/kg IM, SC, PO
• Repeat as appropriate

Levamisole

• Antinematode including lungworms
• Avoid concurrent use with chloramphenicol
• Avoid in debilitated animals
• Low dose may stimulate depressed immune system
• Can be used IM but less effective
• 10 mg/kg SC, ICo, repeat in 2 weeks
• 200 mg/kg PO as a single dose

Metronidazole

• antiprotozoal
• 100 mg/kg PO q3d 2-3w
• 125-250 mg/kg PO, repeat in 2 weeks
• 40 mg/kg PO, repeat in 2 weeks for trichomonad ocular lesions in geckos
• 200 mg/kg PO, repeat in 2 weeks for trichomonad SC lesions in geckos

Nitrofurazone

• Anticoccidia
• Seldom used
• 25.5 mg/kg PO

Oxfendazole

• Antinematode
• 68 mg/kg PO as a single dose

Paronomycin

• Antiamoeba
• 35-100 mg/kg PO q24h up to 4w

Praziquantel

• Anticestode, antitrematode
• 3.5-7.5 mg/kg SC
• 100 mg/kg PO

Pyrantel palmoate

• Antinematode
• 5mg/kg PO, repeat in 2w

Sulphadiazine, sulphamerazine

• Anticoccidia
• Administer fluids concurrently
• Do not use with renal impaired animals
• 25 mg/kg PO q24h 3w
• 50 mg/kg q24h 3d, then 3d off, then 3d on
• 75 mg/kg PO then 45 mg/kg q24h 5d

Thiabendazole

• Antinematode
• 50-100 mg/kg PO, repeat in 2w