Poop and worms

[lbailey4487]

I have been trying to find pictures of tortoise poo that looks like Ziggy’s and haven’t been successful. So I’m posting his here to see if this is normal. He is very n his second course of meds for roundworms and pinworms, day 4 of 5. He did 5 days ending on November 27. Both times Panacur. His poop is looking like this. However, his poop has seldom looked any different. I think he’s had one small poo that looked anything like “normal “ poos posted on here. Since the first round of meds, he has actually been up some during the days and is eating more. Not what I would consider a good amount by any means but definitely at least twice what he had been eating. Prior to the November treatment, he had only eaten cucumber and an occasional couple bites of plantain of the many things I’ve offered. He’s now eating more bites of plantain, prickly pear slices, of course the cucumber, and has tried sow thistle, zinnias, and clover. Considering how little is missing from his food bowl, has this poor guy been pooping out worm chunks all along and I didn’t know better?!? Is that even what this is? Hopefully, continued treatment will help him become more active and hungry if so!

Background: Ziggy is an adult Russian adopted from a rescue in NC back in October. He was adopted from Petsmart approximately one year prior. I am a newbie who tries hard but am still learning. I had no idea what tort poop looked like! He has slept and hid mostly since I got him. After getting temperatures up, lighting better, he was still not active. I gave him little bits of food so I could monitor if he was eating (actually counted pellets of Mauri, leaves I added, slices, etc.). I seldom saw anything missing, but he has consistently passed poo in his soaks. Now I’m wondering if it’s actually been poo all along or was worm material.

Question two: early on, he also passed urates several times a week with liquid urine. I’m seeing neither now. He often did both in his soaks along with poo. If I’m reading correctly, the lack of urates may not be a concern? He’s gone from zero regular soaks to daily 1/2 hour ones. Is it just because he’s better hydrated?

Thanks, as always , for any info you can provide!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I can see this thread was never answered unfortunately

Med administration

My Russian tort’s stool sample came back positive for pinworms and roundworms. Vet sent me home with five doses of Panacur in syringes for him. Seems a good med choice from what I’m reading but how in the heck do I get it in him?!?

tortoiseforum.org

I’m guessing the count was higher than normal for the vet to want to medicate?

This to me looks like undigested food, which can be an indication of parasites, so maybe he needs testing again or maybe it’s still working through his system, I’m curious what @Yvonne G or @wellington thinks

As for the Urates, I wouldn’t worry, some pass them, some don’t, I’d take it as he’s more hydrated now

 

[lbailey4487]

I can see this thread was never answered unfortunately

Med administration

My Russian tort’s stool sample came back positive for pinworms and roundworms. Vet sent me home with five doses of Panacur in syringes for him. Seems a good med choice from what I’m reading but how in the heck do I get it in him?!?

tortoiseforum.org

I’m guessing the count was higher than normal for the vet to want to medicate?

This to me looks like undigested food, which can be an indication of parasites, so maybe he needs testing again or maybe it’s still working through his system, I’m curious what @Yvonne G or @wellington thinks

As for the Urates, I wouldn’t worry, some pass them, some don’t, I’d take it as he’s more hydrated now

Yes needed treatment for both types of worms. His poo does look be leafy for lack of a better word, but I’m not sure what he’s eating to make it look like this. Around the first of November, he had a long stem-looking piece of food he was having trouble passing and I had to gently help him. I hadn’t fed him anything like that, either, in the month I’d had him. I generally break his food up. Not sure what’s going on with this guy’s digestion.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yes needed treatment for both types of worms. His poo does look be leafy for lack of a better word, but I’m not sure what he’s eating to make it look like this. Around the first of November, he had a long stem-looking piece of food he was having trouble passing and I had to gently help him. I hadn’t fed him anything like that, either, in the month I’d had him. I generally break his food up. Not sure what’s going on with this guy’s digestion.

It can actually take a good few months for something to pass through sometimes, so it’s possible he’d eaten it before coming to you.
I’m hoping one of the others see this soon to give some pointers

 

[Ink]

I would take a sample of to the vet for testing. If it's positive for parasites then you'll need to bring your tortoise in to get weighed, for the proper amount of medication.

 

[lbailey4487]

I would take a sample of to the vet for testing. If it's positive for parasites then you'll need to bring your tortoise in to get weighed, for the proper amount of medication.

He had a fecal test in November, first round of Panacur. We are currently doing the second round to catch hatching eggs.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

He had a fecal test in November, first round of Panacur. We are currently doing the second round to catch hatching eggs.

I’m with you, I’d read the initial post as he’d finished his course, in that case this very well could still all be working through his system, I’d give it a few weeks after he finishes and see how he’s getting on, though of course if anything worrying does come up, you can always post on here!

 

[lbailey4487]

Here’s a better picture of a more “solid” piece he passed. He’s now finished with his second round of meds. I’m emptying and cleaning his small treatment habitat and treating the large one with boiling water a bit at a time. Hopefully he will be back in it in a few days! I’m encouraged that he’s at least eating some more. I think I will give it until around February and then take in another stool sample.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Here’s a better picture of a more “solid” piece he passed. He’s now finished with his second round of meds. I’m emptying and cleaning his small treatment habitat and treating the large one with boiling water a bit at a time. Hopefully he will be back in it in a few days! I’m encouraged that he’s at least eating some more. I think I will give it until around February and then take in another stool sample.

Hopefully it’ll start looking more normal again soon