#New Leopard Gecko, Should I Quarantine it and How?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

proven rock
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So I'm wondering if I should quarantine my new leo coming in a week. I didn't realize this was a thing but was reccomened it. She has only ever been on paper towels and my enclosure will be fully substrate. What do you think I should do in this situation?

runic oriole
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I think there's a bot command for qt one sec.... I can also go over what I do personally as I'm sure it's a bit different

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!quarantine

crisp lavaBOT
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Quarantine

Whenever bringing a new animal into your home, you should quarantine it. The main difference between a quarantine setup and a normal set up is substrate. A paper towel substrate should be used. This allows for the tank to be easily cleaned and for you to monitor poops easier. A quarantine setup should be just as cluttered as a normal setup. Quarantine should last for 60-90 days to ensure the animal is heathy before moving it to a setup with loose substrate. Additionally, when first bringing the animal home and when moving tanks or making large changes, handling should be avoided for two weeks. Reptiles do not get enjoyment out of handling, they tolerate it. Not handling for two weeks will avoid adding stress to an already stressful time. Their entire world has changed which takes an adjustment period.

runic oriole
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There we go

proven rock
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Yes please any help you can give would be beneficial im very new to the idea of quarantining

runic oriole
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For leopard geckos this is what I do (keep in mind I'm a breeder so I have a larger number of animals and have an increased need for biosecurity)
First three months:

  • Paper towel and enclosure items that are easy to sterilize (plastic hides, fake plants etc, disposable items like leaf litter / branches are fine to include as long as they won't be reused with other animals)
  • test for crypto
  • monitor health closely (feeding, shedding, stools etc)

Second three months (so 6 months total):

  • test for crypto again (I do at least 2 negative tests before moving them out of QT)
  • test for other parasites as needed (by monitoring food intake and growth, stools)
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Imo 3 months is totally acceptable for a pet home

proven rock
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so for those 3 months, should it basically resemble a loose substrate tank, but with the paper towels and the easy sterelize items? should the heating and lighting all be the same during that process?

runic oriole
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Yes it should all be the same otherwise

proven rock
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ok thank you and this may be a dumb question, but can i quarentine in the same tank that will be her main enclosure? or should i use a different tank for that?

runic oriole
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You can use the same tank :>

proven rock
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oh great thank you i was worried id need a temporary tank or something to begin with

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being a breeder, do you have any other tips for me when it comes to quarentine? like what to look out for or use and so on?

lavish cliff
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nqa usually with quarantine you want to note behaviour changes and stool consistency