Ivermectin for Treatment of Pentastomids in the Standing's Day Gecko, Phelsuma standingi
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 7[1]:5 Jan/Apr'97 In My Experience (unrefereed material) 1 Refs

- Pentastomid ova were detected by flotation of fecals collected during the quarantine of four adult Standing's geckoes, Phelsuma standingi. All four geckoes appeared healthy on physical exam and showed normal behavior. An adult female Tokay gecko, Gekko gecko, ceased to shed pentastome ova three days following the single administration of Ivermectin at a dose of 1 mg/kg orally and remained clear of pentastome ova during weekly fecal examinations for a period of ten months. Due to the possible risk of ivermectin toxicity, one female Standing's day gecko was selected for initial treatment with ivermectin at the dosage of 1 mg/kg PO. No adverse effects were noted in this specimen, so the remaining geckoes were treated at this same dosage. A second dose of ivermectin was administered to each gecko anywhere from 14-16 days after the initial dose. Seven days following the second treatment, fecal samples were collected for parasite examination no more often than every five days. Pentastome ova were not detected in the first three fecals examined, so the geckoes were released from quarantine. Although elimination of the parasite is as yet disputable, this report documents the safety of ivermectin at this dosage in another species of lizard and another link between ivermectin administration (1 mg/kg PO, repeated in 14-16 days) and detection of pentastome ova in fecal samples. It also emphasizes that a single specimen should be selected when using a new dosage or a new drug in a species to evaluate the possibility of adverse effects before treating additional specimens in a similar manner.