Although many causes have been suspected, studies are now pointing towards the COCKROACH as the culprit as a carrier of this terrible disease.
WHY DO COCKROACHES PLAY A ROLE
Cockroaches are merely the intermediate hosts of the larvea of the Pancreatic Worm(Trichospirura Leptostoma).Amongst the studies done, it was found that - in captive/pet Marmosets - the amount of worms (TL) living in their pancreas was significantly higher than in that of wild marmosets.
While doing tests on wild marmosets, an average of less than 10 worms were found per adult. This, in relation to a range of losses in marmosets in captivity, where after testing the pancreatic ducts were found to have sometimes up to 300 worms and larvea.
The entire life cycle of the TL lasts roughly 14 weeks. This includes the 5-6 weeks it spends in the cockroach.
Studies on marmosets showed that the period between the time of introduction of the parasitic organisms into the body, and the appearance of symptoms takes about 8 weeks.
The worms can reproduce for up to 12 years in the system and only after then, will no further eggs be found.
Diagnosing pancreatic worms in living marmosets can be extremely challenging. Worm eggs and larvea can only sometimes be detected in their feces, and it is usually only discovered in very ill marmosets.
Three separate tests are recommended to make sure of a diagnosis….fecal smear, fecal flotation and tests for larvae in the feces, and even then, you may have to repeat the tests to identify any worm eggs.
Signs include, lethargy , rough hair coat, hair loss on the tail, weight loss in spite of a healthy appetite, muscular weakness, emaciation, the paralysis of your monkeys hindquarters, chronic non-responsive diarrhea, various co-ordination disorders which all may lead to paralysis. This disease is transmittable, and is more often than not, fatal in monkeys.
TREATMENT
Research has shown that a course of FENBENDAZOLE given orally, for 14 days, may be effective (e.g. Panacur, Prazifen, Ecomintic)Vitamin, Nutritional and Pancreatic Enzyme supplements are a must – even if force feeding is necessary
Supportive care - such as: Enough fluids, heating and other necessities should be provided at all times
Any secondary infections should be treated with immediate effect.
It is very difficult to find a dewormer that is able to penetrate the pancreatic tissue, Because of this - prevention can be said to be almost totally reliant on the absence of cockroaches.
As damage to the pancreas may be permanent, early detection is Extremely important
