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TORTOISES &parasites

Our garden tortoises are exposed to higher worm burdens than their wild counterparts.

Our gardens have many more slugs & snails that transmit these parasites who thrive in damp grass.

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Recommended testing frequency: 2 times per year

Highest risk period: before hibernation

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ASCARIDS

aka the Large Roundworm Nematodes:

Angusticaecum

SYMPTOMS

Large, thick white worms, up to 10cm long

Diarrhoea

Lethargy

Slow growth rate

Can migrate through other organs

Death through bowel rupture in extreme burdens

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pinworms

aka Oxyurids:

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SYMPTOMS

Small thread-like worms

Unknown - 

these guys live in the large bowel feeding on poo

They may even be helpful by preventing constipation

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Can survive hibernation by going into stasis alongside their host

flagellates

Trichomonads

Hexamita 

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SYMPTOMS

Microscopic Bugs

Heavy burdens in causes:

Anorexia

Reduced gut motility

Diarrhoea

Poor growth rate

Hexamita causes renal failure if it migrates up from the cloaca to the kidneys, with slimy urine

cryptospoidium

aka Crypto

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SYMPTOMS

microscopic parasite

Diarrhoea (often pasty)

Blood & mucus in faeces

Can be fatal

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Worming Treatment Options

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Fenbendazole

Broad spectrum. Liquid - easy to accurately dose and administer.

Can be given at 25 mg/Kg once daily in food for 3 days, or at 50-100 mg / Kg as a single dose by stomach tube (never give medicines direct by mouth as windpipe entrance is on the base of the tongue - too easy to aspirate)

Repeat after 3 weeks if clinical symptoms seen

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Drug

Method

Dose

25 - 100 mg / Kg

Oral liquid

Fenbendazole

EXAMPLE ONLINE

Treats: ascarids (roundworms) and oxyurids

Brand names: Panacur, Lapizole, generic 2.5 or 10% fenbendazole

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Metronidazole

Oral liquid.  POM-V a prescription from your vet is required

Not particularly palatable - best administered directly by stomach tube. If regurgitated a tablet can be crushed into water and given by tube

Various doses recommended: Jackson (1977) suggests 160mg/kg every 24 hours for 3 days. Donaldson (1975) suggests a single large dose of 275mg/Kg. Zwart (1987) suggests 25mg/Kg over 10 days.

Drug

Method

Dose

25 - 275 mg/Kg

Oral Liquid

Metronidazole

EXAMPLE ONLINE

Treats: Flagellates

Brand names: Flagyl, Eradia, generic metronidazole

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High tannin diets

Substantial evidence has proven high tannin diets prevent & reduce worm infestation in the ruminants

These foods are well tolerated by tortoises (although high tannins makes leaves taste bitter)

Anecdotal evidence supports tortoises with high weed & flower diets have lower worm burdens

We are running a clinical trial to monitor the effect of Diatomaceous earth & high tannin diets - watch this space

Drug

Method

Dose

1.5ml / bird for 3 days

liquid

NONE

EXAMPLE ONLINE

Plants: ladys mantle (alchemilla), Meadowsweet, Shephers Purse, young willow tree leaves, greater plantain, flat-leaved plantain, blueberries, legumes, pink - purple edible flowers 

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Diatomaceous Earth

DE works by physically traumatizing the external walls of parasites. 

Multiple clinical trials have proven significant reductions of worms burdens in birds from roundworms such as ascarids & oxyurids, with some effect against coccidia. No trials have been conducted in reptiles

We are running a clinical trial to monitor the effect of Diatomaceous earth & high tannin diets - watch this space

Drug

Method

Dose

1/2 tsp / tortoise for 3 days

powder added to food

NONE

EXAMPLE ONLINE

Ingredients: microscopic fossilized diatoms, ground into a powder 

Brands: generic, multi-mite

 

controltips

Good parasite control is about more than regularly using a wormer

You can reduce risk & use of anthelminthic drugs:

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  • Avoid overcrowding

  • Avoid using damp areas of the garden

  • Feed on a tile or slate

  • Keep grass short to increase sunlight on the earth

  • Rotational graze if possible

  • Ensure new tortoises have a clear faeces check

  • Bath regularly & poo-pick the enclosure

  • Maintain a high fibre diet - plenty of weeds rather than bagged salads

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Follow our Small Holding at Orlestone Farm for 'Worm of the week' and 'Plant of the week' tips:

Coccidiosis

weakness