Vaccinations or worming tortoises

[Shellybob3]

I'm not hibernating my tortoise this year however I wondered if i should be worming him, he only goes on the lawn and my dog is always up to date with worming. The only other animals in my garden are hedgehogs. Any advice thankyou

 

[Tom]

I'm not hibernating my tortoise this year however I wondered if i should be worming him, he only goes on the lawn and my dog is always up to date with worming. The only other animals in my garden are hedgehogs. Any advice thankyou

There are no vaccines for tortoises. (And no experimental mrna concoctions with secret horrible side effects ether...)

As far as worming goes, its best to take a fecal sample to a good tortoise vet to asses whether or not a tortoise needs treatment, and what treatment might be needed. Prophylactic worming is NOT recommended.

Dog worms will not infect your tortoise and vice versa, but if your tortoise eats your dogs feces after a worming treatment, it could kill your tortoise. Dogs are also the number one killer of tortoises next to dehydration. The two of them should not be sharing space. Your tortoise should have its own enclosure where the dog does not tread and cannot gain access.

 

[LeoTheWaywardTortoise]

There are no vaccines for tortoises. (And no experimental mrna concoctions with secret horrible side effects ether...)

Hey, don’t knock it! My 5G is incredible.

 

[Shellybob3]

There are no vaccines for tortoises. (And no experimental mrna concoctions with secret horrible side effects ether...)

As far as worming goes, its best to take a fecal sample to a good tortoise vet to asses whether or not a tortoise needs treatment, and what treatment might be needed. Prophylactic worming is NOT recommended.

Dog worms will not infect your tortoise and vice versa, but if your tortoise eats your dogs feces after a worming treatment, it could kill your tortoise. Dogs are also the number one killer of tortoises next to dehydration. The two of them should not be sharing space. Your tortoise should have its own enclosure where the dog does not tread and cannot gain access.

Thankyou, appreciate you advice, as I live in the UK my tortoise has a couple of hours a week when sunny on the lawn at most, I was just curious about animals such has hedgehogs and squirrels that we can't keep out, will they carry bacteria thanks

 

[wellington]

Never treat an animal just to treat it. If like Tom said you want to take a stool sample in and it has something then treat that.
My tortoises have never been wormed or taken to a vet. If I ever see any sign of worms, then I'll look onto it.

 

[Tom]

Thankyou, appreciate you advice, as I live in the UK my tortoise has a couple of hours a week when sunny on the lawn at most, I was just curious about animals such has hedgehogs and squirrels that we can't keep out, will they carry bacteria thanks

We have lots of native wildlife running through our tortoise pens over here too. Other than direct predation, usually at night, there is very little risk to your tortoise. I've had dozens of tortoises living outside full time with a long list of local wildlife species, and I have never encountered any disease or parasite issue from it. I can't say it is impossible, but its very unlikely you'd ever have a problem.