What Reptile parasites do you test for?

We screen reptile faecal samples using a combination of microscopy, antigen detection, and real-time PCR methods to identify a wide range of parasites and other pathogens — depending on the specific test panel you order. Parasite Vet

Parasites and organisms routinely assessed include:

• Helminths: Roundworms (Nematodes), Tapeworms (Cestodes), Trematodes, Pinworms

• Protozoa: Flagellates, Ciliates, Coccidia, Amoebae and others

• Other organisms: Cryptosporidium spp. and other bacteria and protozoal agents detectable by targeted PCR or antigen assays

These organisms may be detected by traditional microscopy techniques (wet mounts, flotation, counts) or, for selected targets, by antigen tests or real-time PCR for higher sensitivity. Parasite Vet

Testing Levels Explained

Silver Level

• Microscopy for all major parasite groups using standard parasitological techniques. Parasite Vet

Gold Level

• Includes all Silver-level parasite microscopy plus additional Cryptosporidium detection (e.g., antigen or specific staining methods). Parasite Vet

Diamond Level (qPCR)

• Includes microscopy AND a suite of real-time PCR assays that detect key pathogens with higher sensitivity, commonly:
  • Cryptosporidium spp.
  • Giardia spp.
  • Entamoeba invadens (reptile-specific amoeba)
  • Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum (reptile Campylobacter)
  • Salmonella spp. Parasite Vet

Real-time PCR panels like this provide enhanced detection of pathogens that microscopy alone may miss, particularly when levels are low or organisms are hard to visualise.