Re: Turtles and parasites - Personal Opinion

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Posted by Heather on June 28, 2000 at 20:21:14:

In Reply to: Re: Turtles and parasites - Personal Opinion posted by KATHY LUMER on June 28, 2000 at 14:32:17:

Hi Kathy,

You are right, EJ does have some valid points.
You do too. I see your point of regular check ups and to keep you mind at ease.

I think an initial visit should always be done.
After that, periodic stool samples should do it unless you see a problem.

Unlike a dog or cat, tortoises don't get vaccinated and there is not a whole heck of a lot a check up can tell a vet once a year. You can probably do a better job of noticing something wrong or off kilter by your contact with your tortoise. With some tortoises, the trip to the vet is more stressful than anything.

Worms are about the only thing you can screen for.
I've asked and have been told that you can't possibly test for everything that can kill a tortoise. You can test for hex, herpes and maybe one or two other things. There just aren't standard tests for reptiles.

Kind of along the lines of what EJ has posted - wild turtles and tortoises have parasites that become a problem when they become sick, stressed or injured. This usually happens with capture and shipping overseas to our pet stores.
If your tortoise is healthy, worms are not a huge issue. Should you check periodically? Yes.

My scenario...I have 9 tortoises and 2 box turtles.
It is useless for me to return to the vet with my female box turtle because she wouldn't open her shell the entire time she was at the vet's office.
Four of my tortoises have been parasite free for 5 years, housed outdoors. I don't stress about worms with them, because it hasn't been an issue.
When I do get them checked periodically, I just take in one sample per enclosure because if one has worms, they all must be treated.

My vet won't go broke without bi-yearly or yearly tortoise visits though, since I just paid around $200 for a visit, xrays, and fecal sample for tortoises and $350 for surgery on my husband's dog!

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Re: Turtles and parasites - Personal Opinion Heather 06/28/00 (0)

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: Hi Kathy, : You are right, EJ does have some valid points. : You do too. I see your point of regular check ups and to keep you mind at ease. : I think an initial visit should always be done. : After that, periodic stool samples should do it unless you see a problem. : Unlike a dog or cat, tortoises don't get vaccinated and there is not a whole heck of a lot a check up can tell a vet once a year. You can probably do a better job of noticing something wrong or off kilter by your contact with your tortoise. With some tortoises, the trip to the vet is more stressful than anything. : : Worms are about the only thing you can screen for. : I've asked and have been told that you can't possibly test for everything that can kill a tortoise. You can test for hex, herpes and maybe one or two other things. There just aren't standard tests for reptiles. : Kind of along the lines of what EJ has posted - wild turtles and tortoises have parasites that become a problem when they become sick, stressed or injured. This usually happens with capture and shipping overseas to our pet stores. : If your tortoise is healthy, worms are not a huge issue. Should you check periodically? Yes. : My scenario...I have 9 tortoises and 2 box turtles. : It is useless for me to return to the vet with my female box turtle because she wouldn't open her shell the entire time she was at the vet's office. : Four of my tortoises have been parasite free for 5 years, housed outdoors. I don't stress about worms with them, because it hasn't been an issue. : When I do get them checked periodically, I just take in one sample per enclosure because if one has worms, they all must be treated. : My vet won't go broke without bi-yearly or yearly tortoise visits though, since I just paid around $200 for a visit, xrays, and fecal sample for tortoises and $350 for surgery on my husband's dog!

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