Flagellate organisms

[animal_lvr]

Hey Guys,
Is there a way to treat flagellate organisms over the counter. I am concerned after reading things online that Landon may have this parasite. The past two times that he has defecated it looks like dried runny poop instead of a well formed pellet (like it used to). I am concerned that he has not been getting enough fiber in his diet and that may be the cause of this. I don't have a reptile vet that I can readily take him to. Can anyone help me, please? I don't want to lose him. He is a little eastern box turtle. Also, he has eaten the past two days by himself (without coaxing from me) which is a good thing. He has been acting "off" for about a week. The change in his behavior came (or I noticed it) after I had him outside where he could walk around and enjoy the sun for a little while. Now I am wondering if that had anything to do with it. His diet typically consists of frozen bloodworms and his favorite fruits like strawberries and cantaloupe, etc. I offer him baby reptomin and box turtle food but I don't think he has ever touched a piece of it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[pryncesssc]

first off I woukdnt give him treatments with out seeing a vet and getting a fecal test done. Where do you live ??

It can be bad to give them medicine when they do not need it because it can cause resistant bacteria.

Second I would change his diet to be a lot more varied ! The staple food should be any kind of leafy green then u can add in veggies fruit and protein. Is the turtle an adult or baby ? Babies are usually more carnivorous than the adults ...

 

[animal_lvr]

Yes, he is a baby.

 

[katelyn0974]

I had a baby that was "off" and he had calcium and vitamin A deficiency. If u get gut formula and let the worms sit in for a day or two and feed it to him he'll get some calcium. I agree with leafy greens as well. A vet visit is always the best bet. Babies need a lot of calcium.

 

[animal_lvr]

I had a baby that was "off" and he had calcium and vitamin A deficiency. If u get gut formula and let the worms sit in for a day or two and feed it to him he'll get some calcium. I agree with leafy greens as well. A vet visit is always the best bet. Babies need a lot of calcium.

Katelyn, Did your baby ever have looser stools?

He has a cuttlebone. What about a calcium supplement that can be sprinkled on his food, would that work too?

 

[katelyn0974]

He did have loose stool. Yes I have heard of a powder form of calcium you can sprinkle on the food. My vet said the best way though is to put the worms in a gut formula, but I don't see why a sprinkle wouldn't be helpful. I'm no expert, but I am aware that all babies need a large amount of calcium. I don't know if this is the case with your baby, but more calcium in a babies diet is always helpful! Good luck!

 

[animal_lvr]

Thank you! Maybe that is what the problem is. I really hope so because there is no reptile vet I can take him to.

 

[katelyn0974]

I hope the calcium will help. Get your turtle as much calcium as possible! Also leafy greens or squash and carrots. a picture would be awesome if you can post.

 

[Saloli]

first off I woukdnt give him treatments with out seeing a vet and getting a fecal test done. Where do you live ??

It can be bad to give them medicine when they do not need it because it can cause resistant bacteria.

Second I would change his diet to be a lot more varied ! The staple food should be any kind of leafy green then u can add in veggies fruit and protein. Is the turtle an adult or baby ? Babies are usually more carnivorous than the adults ...

Actually I need to inform you of something Terrapene carolina carolina needs a diet consisting of around 60% animal material 40% plant/fungal material. This is true for all but hatchlings though that includes turtles up to 3inches. Though blood worms are not a good basis for a diet snails and grubs are a better choice. As far as what you said about resistant bacteria that would not occur as the medicine is not an antibacterial ( antibiotic ) but a anti-parasitical. Though these can be more dangerous if not dosed properly and several common ones used for other types of reptiles ( birds, snakes, lizards and crocodilians ) can kill turtles.

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No kale or other members of the species Brassica oleracea. Grape leaves, dandelions, mulberry leaves, and hibiscus leaves are high in calcium. As far as vitamin a it is better for them to get beta carotene and make it. Blackberries, raspberries mulberries and blueberries are good sources. Most hatchlings I've had eat them.

 

[animal_lvr]

Thank you for the advice! I am going to get these items today and start offering them to him.