Tortoises with Nyctotherus and Entamoeba coli-like

Ghazan

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I have 3 radiated tortoise been quarantining for 3 months. Just did a stool O&P showing moderate (11-30) Nyctotherus and moderate (11-30) Entamoeba coli-like. Unclear how old they are, CB born probably mid 2018 (~ 6 months is my best guess). They are active and eat but growing very slowly. 2 were 43 grams in 10/2018 and now 54 grams 1/2019, 1 was 45 gram and now 66 grams 1/2019. They are in a 4x2 AP cage, soaked daily for 30 minutes, fed daily.

I've read on this forum and various internet research papers that these are usually and commonly found non pathogenic commensal parasites, but if issues with appetite or anorexia/weight loss one should treat these with Flagyl. Im not sure if their slow growth is due to these parasites or maybe just started dry from the breeder? Treating doesn't come without risk either, but may actually help them, so I'm a little unclear of which direction to go.

Also how would you feel if after a 3 month quarantine combining these tortoises with a 4th radiated tortoise (CB 2018, weighs 106 grams) that did not have these same 'commensal' parasites. Am I obligated to treat if I want to combine the group in the future?

Thanks


EDIT:
Maybe also Im assuming this is slow growth for radiateds owning leopard tortoises for 2 years that are now hitting 2 lbs...?
 
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Markw84

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@Ghazan sorry you have not received a more timely response. Your question carries with it an implied understanding of parasites and fecal tests, and not sure if anyone actively here on the forum has more specific knowledge than you. I do not see egg/parasite counts used much in tortoise evaluations. Very common in equine situations - is that a lot of your experience?

Both parasites you are asking about are indeed considered commensal and in fact very possibly beneficial in vegetarian digestion of tortoises. Both the amoebae, Entamoeba, and the ciliate, Nyctotherus are very common and many do not treat without Some pathological symptoms.

As you know, both are also direct life cycle, so very good husbandry cleanliness is a most common control.

Since you are considering adding these tortoises to a clean group, you have a decision I think only you can make. I would tend not to treat with these parasites as long as there is not clinical signs of pathology with your tortoise. The slower weight gain is not that bad. I would be concerned with no weight gain or a loss. 43g to 54g is not really bad in 2-3 months. That's almost 10% gain a month. Certainly 45g to 66g is really good - 14%-20% per month. I shoot for an average of 10% gain per month with my tortoises. So i do not see growth at levels that would concern me at all. I also tend to avoid treating tortoises that small. Certainly under 100g.

So not sure if I helped at all! I think if it were me, I would keep the tortoises quarantined from the other clean one. Be fastidious about enclosure hygiene. Complete change of substrate for now. Perhaps bathing them 2x per day and not having a water dish in their enclosure for a while. Since tortoises love to "poop" in their water dish, that is a most common way to reinfect each other. Bathing in a warm (95°f) bath for at least 30 minutes is a great way to dramatically reduce fecal matter in the enclosure as well. They will also dump water supplies in the bath and keep anything held in their system in lower concentrations. See how they grow and repeat a fecal in about 6 weeks.
 
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