Is my Russian tortoise sick? please help

[Sydney5646]

I was away for a day and just got home...I went to fredrick's cage to give him some more food and fresh water, when I noticed little black worms in his water dish. The worms are only about 1/4 of an inch and are black. I really don't know if it was in the water or something is wrong with him. I know that the worms were not in the water when I put it in there before I left. Or he could have pooped in his dish and the worms were in the poop. (sometimes he crawls on his dish and poops in it while eating out of the other one lol) I've only had him for about nine months and I'm not sure if they can get worms. I need help identifying these nasty things and if I should take him to the vet or not.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Tortoises can have worms , several types, but i'm not sure that they're black.
Is there another way worms could have got into his water, from something in your substrate, perhaps ?
Was there any sign of poop ?
See what others say, but if in doubt take him and the worms to the vet, (a herp specialist, as ordinary vets are often not much help) a check up wouldn't do any harm anyway.
And a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and fredrick.

 

[wellington]

Keep an eye on his poops and see if you find any more. If so, take him and some poop to a reptile vet. Is he acting fine otherwise?

 

[Sydney5646]

Tortoises can have worms , several types, but i'm not sure that they're black.
Is there another way worms could have got into his water, from something in your substrate, perhaps ?
Was there any sign of poop ?
See what others say, but if in doubt take him and the worms to the vet, (a herp specialist, as ordinary vets are often not much help) a check up wouldn't do any harm anyway.
And a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and fredrick.

I don't think there is any other way other than the two ways I said. Also the water looked dirty and cloudy even though is was pretty new water. Thanks for the help and welcome

 

[Sydney5646]

Keep an eye on his poops and see if you find any more. If so, take him and some poop to a reptile vet. Is he acting fine otherwise?

Yes, he was been acting normal. His eating habits haven't changed or anything like that. I also read online that if he had worms he would more than likely have diarrhea but I haven't noticed anything different than his regular poops. I will definitely be keeping a closer eye on it though.

 

[wellington]

If you see them again, try to get a good pic of them and post them on the forum. We might be able to tell what they are. Off hand, I can't think of ant black worms, but it's been quite a lot of years since I had to last ID any.

 

[dmmj]

if he is shedding worms in his feces they should show up again. Keep a close eye on his bowel movements from now on.

 

[Gillian M]

I was away for a day and just got home...I went to fredrick's cage to give him some more food and fresh water, when I noticed little black worms in his water dish. The worms are only about 1/4 of an inch and are black. I really don't know if it was in the water or something is wrong with him. I know that the worms were not in the water when I put it in there before I left. Or he could have pooped in his dish and the worms were in the poop. (sometimes he crawls on his dish and poops in it while eating out of the other one lol) I've only had him for about nine months and I'm not sure if they can get worms. I need help identifying these nasty things and if I should take him to the vet or not.

I'd suggest visiting a vet; the sooner the better.


And a very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[Sydney5646]

I'd suggest visiting a vet; the sooner the better.


And a very warm welcome to the forum!

thanks for the help and the welcome

 

[Gillian M]

thanks for the help and the welcome

Most welcome, and hope to hear your tor is better, soon.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi @Sydney5646 how's your tort today? Better, I hope.