iHerp Answers! mail us Problem? search Search       Create an Account, It's Free!
  Home > iHerp Answers > Deworming Sulcatas- regular treatment?
Q: Deworming Sulcatas- regular treatment?
Posted By:

MasonDixonReptiles

In Relation To:

Lucille [ST-09]
We have a year old Sulcata tortoise that had not been growing. We took her to the vet and the vet prescribed Baytril to cover any low-lying infections (RI, etc) and panacur for a dewormer. As soon as we started the dewormer, her weight started to climb back up and she weighed today what she weighed at the start of her slump about 8 months back. 

My question is this... where did she pick the worms up from? She is not housed outside, though I do allow her to wander about the grass from time to time on nice days. Did she come with them? We purchased her in December and she started her slump in early February.

Also, if we allow her to graze outside, should we talk to the vet about making deworming a regular part of her care?
Points: 100
Topics: General Health , Parasites , Medications
Tags: Dewormers, Sulcata
Species: Turtles and Tortoises > Tortoises > Geochelone sulcata
Administrative: Show/Hide
Accepted Answer 9/1/2010 8:48:26 PM

shellboa
Did the vet actually test for parasites or just do a general barrage of treat the symptoms and hope for the best? If you got a positive test I would say she probably had them when you bought her. I've seen a few breeders with some pretty filthy breeding pens where the babies ate food that had poop on it. Recycled parasites for sure. I allow my 6 yr old to roam in the yard for the summer and he eats grass and weeds etc and has not showed any sign of parasites. There is a deworming powder especially for reptiles that you can dust on their food but I would consult the vet before using it. You can also make sure that she is not in areas where other animals may be defecating to reduce the risk of infection or infestation.  So yeah, I would ask the vet about a worming  routine and how neccessary he/she feels it might be and just keep her environment clean and warm and try to keep her food clean.
 
Member Comment 9/1/2010 8:48:27 PM

shellboa
Did the vet actually test for parasites or just do a general barrage of treat the symptoms and hope for the best? If you got a positive test I would say she probably had them when you bought her. I've seen a few breeders with some pretty filthy breeding pens where the babies ate food that had poop on it. Recycled parasites for sure. I allow my 6 yr old to roam in the yard for the summer and he eats grass and weeds etc and has not showed any sign of parasites. There is a deworming powder especially for reptiles that you can dust on their food but I would consult the vet before using it. You can also make sure that she is not in areas where other animals may be defecating to reduce the risk of infection or infestation.  So yeah, I would ask the vet about a worming  routine and how neccessary he/she feels it might be and just keep her environment clean and warm and try to keep her food clean.
You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log in, or Become a Member!
  

Member Login
Forgot My Password
Dashboard | My Animals | My Inbox | Batch Track Group | Batch Track Animal | Contact |
Copyright ©2008, All Rights Reserved. iHerp, LLC | Terms of Use 5/1/2026 2:27:58 PM | 0.0.0.0