Mystery worm in substrate

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Today while cleaning Edwards enclosure, I found a small white worm under his food dish, in the coco coir. It was maybe 1-2 cm long (that is 0,39 to 0,78 inches).

Could it be parasitic? I mean would a parasitic worm survive outside his body for some time? There was no poop nearby. Should I take a sample to the vet? He has no symptoms.

Could it be something else? Something that came with the weeds from outside? A fungus gnat larvae for example? Any ideas or suggestions are welcome!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hard to tell without a photo... Could be a moth larvae: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/site/assets/files/7907/hpseudospratellalarvabs.jpg

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It is so small, that I can't distinguish any details. Definitely not a moth larvae. To me it looks very concerning. Maybe some roundworm?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It is so small, that I can't distinguish any details. Definitely not a moth larvae. To me it looks very concerning. Maybe some roundworm?
View attachment 395998

It does look like a small roundworm, @Liljae9263 russian Franklin passed a similar looking worm(see post #8)

Lil Franklin update

Today during Franklin soaks I got some cute pics and really that’s y I’m making this post. I just wanna post em hehe. But while I’m here I’ll give a lil update too! I’ve been soaking him everyday for an hour. His pee/poop outtake has decreased the last couple of days but I hope that’s just bc...

tortoiseforum.org

The vet confirmed it to be a roundworm

Franklins vet visit pt 2!

So! Today was Franklin’s second vet visit! I feel I was more prepared for this one (I had poop samples, the worm Franklin had pooped out, and confidence to demand what my baby needed). I also got Franklin his very own travel crate since this is his 3rd vet visit in 4 months I figured I should...

tortoiseforum.org

I’d probably get a sample done for peace of mind

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It does look like a small roundworm, @Liljae9263 russian Franklin passed a similar looking worm(see post #8)

Lil Franklin update

Today during Franklin soaks I got some cute pics and really that’s y I’m making this post. I just wanna post em hehe. But while I’m here I’ll give a lil update too! I’ve been soaking him everyday for an hour. His pee/poop outtake has decreased the last couple of days but I hope that’s just bc...

tortoiseforum.org

The vet confirmed it to be a roundworm

Franklins vet visit pt 2!

So! Today was Franklin’s second vet visit! I feel I was more prepared for this one (I had poop samples, the worm Franklin had pooped out, and confidence to demand what my baby needed). I also got Franklin his very own travel crate since this is his 3rd vet visit in 4 months I figured I should...

tortoiseforum.org

I’d probably get a sample done for peace of mind

It is so small it could also be a larvae of some other parasitic worm. If I were to get a fecal sample tested, can it be done by a regular vet? I have read tortoises always have some amount of worms, so can the vet diagnose and dose the dewormer correctly?

 

[Liljae9263]

It does look like a small roundworm, @Liljae9263 russian Franklin passed a similar looking worm(see post #8)

Lil Franklin update

Today during Franklin soaks I got some cute pics and really that’s y I’m making this post. I just wanna post em hehe. But while I’m here I’ll give a lil update too! I’ve been soaking him everyday for an hour. His pee/poop outtake has decreased the last couple of days but I hope that’s just bc...

tortoiseforum.org

The vet confirmed it to be a roundworm

Franklins vet visit pt 2!

So! Today was Franklin’s second vet visit! I feel I was more prepared for this one (I had poop samples, the worm Franklin had pooped out, and confidence to demand what my baby needed). I also got Franklin his very own travel crate since this is his 3rd vet visit in 4 months I figured I should...

tortoiseforum.org

I’d probably get a sample done for peace of mind

Ur worm looks more green/clear in that pic than what my Franklin passed. His round worm was solid white. Idk much about them tho so maybe it could still be one. It might be good to get it tested anyways!

But when Franklin passed his round worm I put it in a baggy to take to the vet and it was wiggling and alive for prob 30 mins till Franklin finished his soak?? So at the v least I think they might be able to live a couple mins outside the host. Prob not forever since they get nutrients from them! I think mine didn’t actually die until I stuck it in the freezer and put it to sleep pft.

I hope ur tortoise baby is ok! Best wishes! <3

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

It is so small, that I can't distinguish any details. Definitely not a moth larvae. To me it looks very concerning. Maybe some roundworm?
View attachment 395998

Looks like a "pot worm" - from Annelids family, relative to earthworms. Harmless, as far as I can tell.

Enchytraeids | Biosis - Biological Soil Information System

biosisplatform.eu

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It is so small it could also be a larvae of some other parasitic worm. If I were to get a fecal sample tested, can it be done by a regular vet? I have read tortoises always have some amount of worms, so can the vet diagnose and dose the dewormer correctly?

I’d give them a call but I don’t see why not, they should all have access to a lab.

If it’s what Alex thinks then maybe there’s no need, it might be worth waiting to see if any others turn up first

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Maybe I should keep an eye on it for a while. Edward has a great appetite and is pooping normally.

There is this lab where pet owners can send fecal samples. For under 59€ they will do a flotation test for parasites, and that price includes collection supplies, posting supplies and postage.

"The method is used to concentrate worm eggs and protozoan cysts from feces. The method detects, for example, eggs of roundworms and tapeworms as well as coccidian oocysts.

However, a negative result does not rule out the possibility of a parasitic infection, as an insufficient sample size or irregular excretion of eggs or cysts in feces can lead to a false negative result. Hookworms, in particular, are difficult to detect in fecal examinations.

Method: Flotation. Microscopy. Species are identified and classified to genus level. Cystoisosporas and eimeria are differentiated on the basis of sporulation, provided there is a sufficient sample. Sporulation prolongs the response time by a few days."

The process is a bit complex, but definitely something I would consider if needed. The only problem is that I probably would have to interpret the results myself.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Maybe I should keep an eye on it for a while. Edward has a great appetite and is pooping normally.

There is this lab where pet owners can send fecal samples. For under 59€ they will do a flotation test for parasites, and that price includes collection supplies, posting supplies and postage.

"The method is used to concentrate worm eggs and protozoan cysts from feces. The method detects, for example, eggs of roundworms and tapeworms as well as coccidian oocysts.

However, a negative result does not rule out the possibility of a parasitic infection, as an insufficient sample size or irregular excretion of eggs or cysts in feces can lead to a false negative result. Hookworms, in particular, are difficult to detect in fecal examinations.

Method: Flotation. Microscopy. Species are identified and classified to genus level. Cystoisosporas and eimeria are differentiated on the basis of sporulation, provided there is a sufficient sample. Sporulation prolongs the response time by a few days."

The process is a bit complex, but definitely something I would consider if needed. The only problem is that I probably would have to interpret the results myself.

Yeah I’d just keep an eye for now tbh, he sounds perfectly well in himself, there’s usually no need for treatment unless the tortoise is showing symptoms.

It’s good to know you have that option though, you could always upload the results here, I’m sure they’ll be someone to help interpret them

 

[Big Charlie]

It is so small it could also be a larvae of some other parasitic worm. If I were to get a fecal sample tested, can it be done by a regular vet? I have read tortoises always have some amount of worms, so can the vet diagnose and dose the dewormer correctly?

Just in general, if tortoises always have some amount of worms, is it something owners need to worry about if the tortoise is eating well and looking healthy? It seems like even if you treat, if there are worms naturally in the environment, they will continue to get some, right?