How do I get rid of worms in my tortoise?

How do I get rid of worms in my tortoise?

Regular tepid baths and food with a high water content such as lettuce should be offered at this stage, to flush the dead worms through the gut and out of the body. Never be tempted to treat a tortoise’s worms yourself using medication sold for dogs or cats.

Do I need to deworm my tortoise?

For the first time ever, your pet tortoise can be wormed at home without taking them away to worm them. Tropical tortoises need only be wormed 2-4 times a year, whereas with hibernating species, it is advisable to worm before hibernation and again upon waking from a long hibernation period for safe recovery.

What type of worms do tortoises get?

Two types of worms are a concern in tortoises; these are the oxyurids and the ascarids. Other nematodes have also been identified as a problem. Protozoan parasites are also commonly found but can be in elevated numbers secondary to other disease.

What do worms look like in a tortoise’s poop?

If you can actually see worms in your tortoise’s poop it probably indicates that the parasites are well established in your tortoise’s gut. Typically they resemble little white threads, although their appearance will vary depending on the specific worm type.

How to test for parasites in a tortoise?

Supplies for a fecal float test for parasites: microscope, slides, cover slips, test tubes, and floatation medium. This one is a digital trinocular microscope with an attached USB camera on top (off picture). Internal parasites are one of the most frequently encountered medical problems in captive tortoises.

What kind of worm can I give my tortoise?

If you are sending a sample off in the post for a worm count test, try to avoid posting on a weekend or holiday period, as the sample should be as fresh as possible. Panacur (Fenbendazole) is the most commonly used drug to treat roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, giardia and some tapeworms in tortoises.

How does Panacur work to treat roundworms in tortoises?

Panacur (Fenbendazole) is the most commonly used drug to treat roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, giardia and some tapeworms in tortoises. It works by disrupting the cellular transport and metabolism systems of the parasite, which results in diminishing the parasite’s energy reserves and ability to eliminate waste,…

How can I get rid of Worms in my tortoise?

The most commonly prescribed medicine to treat worms in tortoises that is effective is Panacur (Fenbendazole). This deals with most of the common species of worms, although it doesn’t kill their eggs. Therefore ongoing treatment is usually needed until every trace of hatched worms has been eradicated. Are There Any Long Term Health Implications?

If you can actually see worms in your tortoise’s poop it probably indicates that the parasites are well established in your tortoise’s gut. Typically they resemble little white threads, although their appearance will vary depending on the specific worm type.

How often should you test your tortoise for worms?

Worming Your Tortoise. A light worm load of most species of worms is not harmful to a tortoise but a heavy worm load will need treatment. It is a good idea to get a tortoise faecal sample checked on a yearly basis to determine if any treatment is needed, and new tortoises should be tested for worms as a matter of routine.

Why do people get worms from their tortoises?

Pets, including tortoises are prone to getting ailments associated with poor sanitation and contaminated food that people in developed countries rarely get. If you’ve got young children or can think back to your own childhood you’ll be familiar with the problem of worms.