Hookworm in Russian tortoise, advice please?

[lymcBoris]

Hi all, I've had my Russian tortoise fecal sample back and it's showing a high load ( over 740 eggs per gram) of hookworm eggs.

He is clear of all other worms. Should I treat him with a wormer? Panacur? I have a local vets but they are not knowledgeable in exotics. Any advice please? I don't want to do more harm if it's a normal sounding load.

Thanks.

 

[Yvonne G]

Because Panacur comes in different strengths it's best to have the vet do the first de-worming. Then you can get the correct dosage for the de-wormer you have. It's not a good idea for us here on the Forum to prescribe for you. But, yes, I would de-worm him.

 

[lymcBoris]

Because Panacur comes in different strengths it's best to have the vet do the first de-worming. Then you can get the correct dosage for the de-wormer you have. It's not a good idea for us here on the Forum to prescribe for you. But, yes, I would de-worm him.

Thank you. I've contacted the vet.

 

[lymcBoris]

Because Panacur comes in different strengths it's best to have the vet do the first de-worming. Then you can get the correct dosage for the de-wormer you have. It's not a good idea for us here on the Forum to prescribe for you. But, yes, I would de-worm him.

Hi, I took Boris to the vet and what an ordeal that was! Between 3 vets and me, we couldn't get Boris to keep his head out and get his jaw open! I watched videos showing how to do it, but Boris was getting extremely distressed as well as all of us. I have gone through 4 syringes of panacur dosages from the vet and wasted the lot! Boris will not eat any mazuri or any food with the tiniest drop of panacur on it! I honestly don't know what to do. He's still not eating well and is hiding away. I feel like a complete failure and it's so upsetting. I'm worried about Boris declining.
The vet mentioned anesthetic. But I really don't want this for him. My local vets are not knowledgeable exotic vets.
Please can anyone help me with how to get this panacur into Boris?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi, I took Boris to the vet and what an ordeal that was! Between 3 vets and me, we couldn't get Boris to keep his head out and get his jaw open! I watched videos showing how to do it, but Boris was getting extremely distressed as well as all of us. I have gone through 4 syringes of panacur dosages from the vet and wasted the lot! Boris will not eat any mazuri or any food with the tiniest drop of panacur on it! I honestly don't know what to do. He's still not eating well and is hiding away. I feel like a complete failure and it's so upsetting. I'm worried about Boris declining.
The vet mentioned anesthetic. But I really don't want this for him. My local vets are not knowledgeable exotic vets.
Please can anyone help me with how to get this panacur into Boris?

I’m so sorry you’re having trouble getting his dewormer into himI’m lucky that I’ve never had to do anything like this, I’ve seen our vet look into our torts mouth within seconds, I looked at her like how the hell did you hold her head like that without freaking her outI wouldn’t want to go the anaesthetic route for this either
I guess it just comes with experience, the more you do it, the easier it gets I imagine.. I know so much simpler to say than actually getting it done
My best advice would be, sit him on your lap, wait for his head to come out, then as confidently as you can place your fingers either side of his neck(when I say neck, I mean like the back of his head) to hold him in place, I know he’ll panic and it feels horrible, but I think the more you second guess yourself, the more chance it gives him to squirm back in, obviously I’m not saying be rough or squeeze too tightly, but be as firm as you possibly can in getting his mouth open, I think you’d find it easier to have one person doing the holding of the head, and the other prying his mouth open and administering the meds.. perhaps someone else will have more helpful suggestions/tips for you!

 

[lymcBoris]

I’m so sorry you’re having trouble getting his dewormer into himI’m lucky that I’ve never had to do anything like this, I’ve seen our vet look into our torts mouth within seconds, I looked at her like how the hell did you hold her head like that without freaking her outI wouldn’t want to go the anaesthetic route for this either
I guess it just comes with experience, the more you do it, the easier it gets I imagine.. I know so much simpler to say than actually getting it done
My best advice would be, sit him on your lap, wait for his head to come out, then as confidently as you can place your fingers either side of his neck(when I say neck, I mean like the back of his head) to hold him in place, I know he’ll panic and it feels horrible, but I think the more you second guess yourself, the more chance it gives him to squirm back in, obviously I’m not saying be rough or squeeze too tightly, but be as firm as you possibly can in getting his mouth open, I think you’d find it easier to have one person doing the holding of the head, and the other prying his mouth open and administering the meds.. perhaps someone else will have more helpful suggestions/tips for you!

Thank you for your kind and supportive advice. I will keep trying. I'm just getting over COVID and because I've been at home for a couple of days feeling really rubbish and run down I've been focussing on Boris all day. Watching him and really driving myself quite crazy. I'm going on holiday next week for 8 days and my usual pet sitter will be feeding Boris. He's only eating maybe one or two bites of mazuri. Absolutely nothing else. But absolutely not if it's got any panacur on it! He's not eating any fresh weeds or his favourite greens
I've been googling exotic vets, watching YouTube videos of tortoises being administered medication, you name it. Scrolling through threads on here. I will go mad....
But thank you for your reply and hopefully when I feel completely better I will get a grip of myself and get this sorted before I go on holiday. Who would have thought a little tortoise could reduce me to an anxious wreck....

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you for your kind and supportive advice. I will keep trying. I'm just getting over COVID and because I've been at home for a couple of days feeling really rubbish and run down I've been focussing on Boris all day. Watching him and really driving myself quite crazy. I'm going on holiday next week for 8 days and my usual pet sitter will be feeding Boris. He's only eating maybe one or two bites of mazuri. Absolutely nothing else. But absolutely not if it's got any panacur on it! He's not eating any fresh weeds or his favourite greens
I've been googling exotic vets, watching YouTube videos of tortoises being administered medication, you name it. Scrolling through threads on here. I will go mad....
But thank you for your reply and hopefully when I feel completely better I will get a grip of myself and get this sorted before I go on holiday. Who would have thought a little tortoise could reduce me to an anxious wreck....

Bless your heart, believe me when I say, I too have ran myself absolutely ragged over our red foot multiple times! Sometimes when there was never anything of concern

It’s only because we love them so much, you’re stressing yourself because you care, honestly knowing how I am, I’d probably be stressing myself as well in your positionso I can completely sympathise with you here, it’s not a nice feeling.

It’s good you’re keeping a close eye on him, but sometimes when you’re already feeling very stressed(especially if you’re still run down after Covid) it’s no good for your mind to keep sitting and staring at him(trust me been there haha) every little thing he does will start spiking your anxiety. The fact he’s eating even a little bit is a good sign!

I think try again once you’re feeling a bit better& rested, it’s definitely harder doing something like this if you’re in a highly anxious state, I feel like they pick up on our energy to some degreeOnce your head is feeling clearer you’ll hopefully be feeling a little more confident

I don’t suppose you can order some of this stuff where you are? (*edit* I see you’re in Scotland so it should be available!)It’s a really great way to get some variety in, especially for a tortoise that isn’t eating as much lately, I’ve heard most of them go for it right away so it must be tasty lol. You soak each cube in a bit of water(quantity on packet) until soft and put on top of the feed, you could even try mushing in the mazuri if that’s what’s he’s liking right now, who knows, maybe because it’s tasty, he might eat some of it with the medicine on.. figured it might be worth a shot recommending

Our red foot loves it!!

 

[er9m]

What about cucumber? When my tort doesn't eat anything or i need to give him some medicine, cucumber is always eaten by him.

 

[lymcBoris]

Bless your heart, believe me when I say, I too have ran myself absolutely ragged over our red foot multiple times! Sometimes when there was never anything of concern

It’s only because we love them so much, you’re stressing yourself because you care, honestly knowing how I am, I’d probably be stressing myself as well in your positionso I can completely sympathise with you here, it’s not a nice feeling.

It’s good you’re keeping a close eye on him, but sometimes when you’re already feeling very stressed(especially if you’re still run down after Covid) it’s no good for your mind to keep sitting and staring at him(trust me been there haha) every little thing he does will start spiking your anxiety. The fact he’s eating even a little bit is a good sign!

I think try again once you’re feeling a bit better& rested, it’s definitely harder doing something like this if you’re in a highly anxious state, I feel like they pick up on our energy to some degreeOnce your head is feeling clearer you’ll hopefully be feeling a little more confident

I don’t suppose you can order some of this stuff where you are? (*edit* I see you’re in Scotland so it should be available!)It’s a really great way to get some variety in, especially for a tortoise that isn’t eating as much lately, I’ve heard most of them go for it right away so it must be tasty lol. You soak each cube in a bit of water(quantity on packet) until soft and put on top of the feed, you could even try mushing in the mazuri if that’s what’s he’s liking right now, who knows, maybe because it’s tasty, he might eat some of it with the medicine on.. figured it might be worth a shot recommending
View attachment 379947
Our red foot loves it!!

I'll give this a go.
Thank you so much for being so helpful, kind and reassuring. I really do appreciate it!

 

[lymcBoris]

What about cucumber? When my tort doesn't eat anything or i need to give him some medicine, cucumber is always eaten by him.

I'll give this a go too! Thank you.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I'll give this a go.
Thank you so much for being so helpful, kind and reassuring. I really do appreciate it!

No problem! Keep us in the loop