How do you go garter hunting?

[Invisible Snake]

I've heard that WCs have a high probability of carrying parasites, best thing to do is get a fecal float done by a vet.

[guidofatherof5]

I've heard that WCs have a high probability of carrying parasites, best thing to do is get a fecal float done by a vet.

Usually this is money well spent.

[ConcinusMan]

I've heard that WCs have a high probability of carrying parasites

Which is why most, if not all of the ones I keep are treated as if they do have them. I've noticed some locatilites do not have a high parasite problem, while others do, and OSU zoology dept is aware of it. Bad tapeworm problems in some areas are linked to rough skinned newts that serve as an intermediate host. Some locations without the newts have snakes that carry very low parasite loads.

I don't bother with the floats and just treat them all anyway. They seem to tolerate it pretty well, and for those infested, it works wonders for them.

[Invisible Snake]

I don't bother with the floats and just treat them all anyway. They seem to tolerate it pretty well, and for those infested, it works wonders for them.

Is there any potential harm or side effect in treating a parasite-free garter with those meds/treatments?

Also whats the name of the drug/treatment you give them? Is it a broad spectrum med or is it a specific parasite med?

[ProXimuS]

Is there any potential harm or side effect in treating a parasite-free garter with those meds/treatments?

Also whats the name of the drug/treatment you give them? Is it a broad spectrum med or is it a specific parasite med?

Ok so when I got my snake done, they used Metronidazole and Fenbendazole. I realized those are both things my dogs has had before. The Metronidazole she took when she had an upset tummy(horrible diarrhea...) and we weren't sure what it was. If I'm not mistaken it's like an anti-biotic type thing to kill bacterias. The Fenbendazole she took for tapeworms(gross..). I do believe the Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum thing...The most common "brand name" of it is Panacur. When I took my snake in, the doctor didn't even do a fecal float, and just went ahead and dewormed him(since he's WC). It doesn't hurt(assuming they're not given too much)to give them a dewormer even if they may not have the worms. That's what I've been told for my dog, and my snake now too.
I hope this helps some...I feel like it's a bit of a ramble...