Worms

[Lil' Tortie]

How do torts get worms? What are the symptoms to know that your torts have worms? What is the process for deworming? What are the chances that worms will reoccur? Thanks!

 

[danieledwards2006]

Symptoms of worms: diarrhoea, anorexia, sometimes vomiting, Some tortoises splutter small volumes of liquid from the mouth. If left untreated, infection with worms can cause serious perforation of the intestine or intestinal blockage.


Treatment and prevention: Avoid overcrowding. Worm eggs can survive on the ground for long periods and can infect other tortoises feeding in the area. It is recommended that routine worming with Panacur or Oxfen be carried out twice yearly, once in the spring and once in the autumn. Never - ever - try to worm tortoises with any preparation containing Ivermectin - this product has proved consistently FATAL in tortoises of all species. Dog or cat wormers based upon piperazine should also be avoided. Required dose rates are high compared to mammals: 3 ml of a 2.5% solution per kilogram of the tortoise's bodyweight. Recommended dose of panacur is 25-50mg/kg, dose again after two weeks and have a fecal done two weeks later to check that you have in fact eliminated the infection. Infestations of hookworm are better treated at weekly intervals with the lower dosage rate until a fecal tests clear. All companions should be treated at the same time.


Worming should be achieved by oral means only - use of a stomach tube is generally recommended. In all cases, where a bodyweight is cited for dosing purposes, this should be understood to include the tortoise's shell - this is also living tissue and must be included in all drug dosage calculations. If you are fortunate enough to be able to obtain Panacur paste then this is ideal for de-worming as the dose is small and can be offered on a titbit of favourite food.

 

[Lil' Tortie]

Thanks for the helpful information. I'll keep a close watch.

Symptoms of worms: diarrhoea, anorexia, sometimes vomiting, Some tortoises splutter small volumes of liquid from the mouth. If left untreated, infection with worms can cause serious perforation of the intestine or intestinal blockage.


Treatment and prevention: Avoid overcrowding. Worm eggs can survive on the ground for long periods and can infect other tortoises feeding in the area. It is recommended that routine worming with Panacur or Oxfen be carried out twice yearly, once in the spring and once in the autumn. Never - ever - try to worm tortoises with any preparation containing Ivermectin - this product has proved consistently FATAL in tortoises of all species. Dog or cat wormers based upon piperazine should also be avoided. Required dose rates are high compared to mammals: 3 ml of a 2.5% solution per kilogram of the tortoise's bodyweight. Recommended dose of panacur is 25-50mg/kg, dose again after two weeks and have a fecal done two weeks later to check that you have in fact eliminated the infection. Infestations of hookworm are better treated at weekly intervals with the lower dosage rate until a fecal tests clear. All companions should be treated at the same time.


Worming should be achieved by oral means only - use of a stomach tube is generally recommended. In all cases, where a bodyweight is cited for dosing purposes, this should be understood to include the tortoise's shell - this is also living tissue and must be included in all drug dosage calculations. If you are fortunate enough to be able to obtain Panacur paste then this is ideal for de-worming as the dose is small and can be offered on a titbit of favourite food.