WORMS!!??

[bethxyz]

Okay... I got my new hatchling on Friday the 15th of this month. The little bugger, although cute as can be, does not seem like he as eating as much as you would expect. I have a variety of weeds / grasses / greens and a small potion of moisten mazuri at all times... honestly I can't say that I've seen him eat anything... but he pooped a tiny bit a few times. He drinks water, but is pretty lethargic. (although I'm not sure how active to expect) Anyway, this evening I was spraying down his enclosure and picked him up to find what I think is a worm on the under side of his tail. Additionally I saw a small black bug.. the bug was sort of like a fruit fly. To be gross, here's a picture of the suspected worm:.



and one of the tort... his name is no kidding "Natasha Pinecone Henson" Hoping my kids will agree to just Henson as the years go on

 

[wellington]

I would try to take a poop sample the the vet or take him in. It does look like a worm to me.
The fruit fly bug is normal with the substrate. If you bake it 200-250 for about 3 hours it kills the eggs of the bugs. Freezing works too but I found not as good, seems to just postpone them from hatching. Boiling will also kill them

 

[dmmj]

yes you should probably get a fecal test done at your local vet. what are your temperatures at? you mentioned he was lethargic,

 

[bethxyz]

yes you should probably get a fecal test done at your local vet. what are your temperatures at? you mentioned he was lethargic,

temps are overall mid 90's during the day, humid hid is lower and a spot is higher.. 85 over all at night.

 

[bethxyz]

took the little guy to the vet... of course they can do nothing without a stool sample and he doesn't poop on command. Wish I had known this before driving an hour one way... He didn't seem too concerned that he hasn't eaten (or hardly eaten) since arriving on the 15th. Said he wasn't dehydrated.... so I guess we wait for him to poop and me to drive said specimen back for further analysis.

 

[TerrapinStation]

Are you soaking the tort in warm water daily? Maybe try a soak in mixture of vegetable baby food puree and warm water, they can soak up some nutrients this way when not eating..... I hope everything is OK

 

[bethxyz]

Are you soaking the tort in warm water daily? Maybe try a soak in mixture of vegetable baby food puree and warm water, they can soak up some nutrients this way when not eating..... I hope everything is OK

yes, he gets soaked everyday for 20 minutes. good point about the baby food... I've read carrots... is that best? Would a kale puree or something green be better?

 

[TerrapinStation]

I think carrot is the go-to, but you could try any variety. I hope the appetite comes back.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

took the little guy to the vet... of course they can do nothing without a stool sample and he doesn't poop on command. Wish I had known this before driving an hour one way... He didn't seem too concerned that he hasn't eaten (or hardly eaten) since arriving on the 15th. Said he wasn't dehydrated.... so I guess we wait for him to poop and me to drive said specimen back for further analysis.

I once had a tortoise that drank but ate almost nothing for seven months.
She lost a lot of weight but eventually got well and is fine today.

 

[bethxyz]

I once had a tortoise that drank but ate almost nothing for seven months.
She lost a lot of weight but eventually got well and is fine today.

thanks! I hope he doesn't hold out that long... but nice to know the upper bounds of possible

 

[Tom]

What was the source of this baby and was it started as a hatchling with the wet routine or the dry routine?

 

[bethxyz]

What was the source of this baby and was it started as a hatchling with the wet routine or the dry routine?

From Andrew at Arizona Tortoise Compound. I believe he starts hatchlings wet. I think he has a strong reputation for proper care.

 

[bethxyz]

I took a fecal sample to the vet yesterday... still haven't heard back, but just found a poop with yet another worm in it... seems like this was not an isolated issue, but rather something more pervasive that needs medical attention. Since he is not eating... how in the heck am I going to get meds in him???

 

[diamondbp]

I took a fecal sample to the vet yesterday... still haven't heard back, but just found a poop with yet another worm in it... seems like this was not an isolated issue, but rather something more pervasive that needs medical attention. Since he is not eating... how in the heck am I going to get meds in him???

It's going to be tough if she has yet to eat. I applaud you for doing what you can for your baby but it will be quite difficult to reverse especially if it has yet to eat. Have you contacted ATC yet about this issue? I've got hatchlings from ATC and have had mixed results. Some have done fantastic, and others simply never grew no matter what I did and ended up perishing

 

[bethxyz]

It's going to be tough if she has yet to eat. I applaud you for doing what you can for your baby but it will be quite difficult to reverse especially if it has yet to eat. Have you contacted ATC yet about this issue? I've got hatchlings from ATC and have had mixed results. Some have done fantastic, and others simply never grew no matter what I did and ended up perishing

I did send him a note. Really hoping s/he'll be okay. I will say that I just soaked him and he stomped around for a good 20 minutes (in the sun on the rug) before I put him back in the enclosure. His eyes were open and his legs have nice strong pushes... the vet said some worms aren't that bad. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel better... still waiting for further official test results.

 

[diamondbp]

I did send him a note. Really hoping s/he'll be okay. I will say that I just soaked him and he stomped around for a good 20 minutes (in the sun on the rug) before I put him back in the enclosure. His eyes were open and his legs have nice strong pushes... the vet said some worms aren't that bad. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel better... still waiting for further official test results.

That's good if the energy levels are fairly high. Did you try feeding it anything while in the Sun?

 

[bethxyz]

That's good if the energy levels are fairly high. Did you try feeding it anything while in the Sun?

the sun, you're funny, what's that I live near Philadelphia and we just survived 30" of snow... but I do soak him while the sun comes in through the window... I"m not sure how much vitamin D comes in through the glass. He does have a MVB in his enclosure.

But GOOD NEWS, test results showed no eggs in sample... the vet thinks it is a pin worm, which according to him is "probably not something to worry about." I hope that's true. If I see more worms over the weekend, he'll go back to the vet on Mon.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[diamondbp]

the sun, you're funny, what's that I live near Philadelphia and we just survived 30" of snow... but I do soak him while the sun comes in through the window... I"m not sure how much vitamin D comes in through the glass. He does have a MVB in his enclosure.

But GOOD NEWS, test results showed no eggs in sample... the vet thinks it is a pin worm, which according to him is "probably not something to worry about." I hope that's true. If I see more worms over the weekend, he'll go back to the vet on Mon.

Thanks for all the replies!

Did you Vet comment on him not eating yet?

 

[bethxyz]

Did you Vet comment on him not eating yet?

He said that because he is new to me, he might still be adjusting. He said he would be concerned, except he really does seem healthy.

 

[diamondbp]

He said that because he is new to me, he might still be adjusting. He said he would be concerned, except he really does seem healthy.

I would beg to differ with the Vet. I could understand 1-3 days or so or not eating for hatchling, but to go without eating since the 15th of January would be a huge concern for me. Unless he is eating when you are not around, which does happen.