Russian Tort soft stool after trichomonas treatment

gusismyhomie

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Hi! :) I have an approx. 17 yr old male Russian Tortoise. Earlier this year he underwent 2 back-to-back treatments for trichomonas. He was re-tested approx. 1 month ago-- by a different, but trusted vet-- and parasite numbers were so low vet said there was no need to repeat treatment, and we would just check the numbers again at his next annual physical. However, my tort's stool has not returned to normal. He's no longer having diarrhea, which he was before treatment, but his stool is still quite soft. I called my vet and he is not concerned. My tort seems otherwise healthy-- good appetite, active, ornery personality as usual. But I've had him for 16 yrs, so I'm concerned by his abnormal stool. Diet has not changed. Any thoughts on this?? Could it be caused by something other than trichomonas?? Thanks in advance for your help!
 

Markw84

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Trichomonas is an extremely common flagellate found in tortoises. Most experienced tortoise vets consider them a normal part of gut flora and non-pathogenic - unless numbers get extremely high. So unless other symptoms such as weight loss, runny or mucous laden stools, lethargy are present, treatment is not necessary.

I assume Flagyl was used. (Metronidazole). That is done with a follow-up treatment in 3-4 days if needed, so I assume that is what you mean by 2 back to back?

The drug will also kill a lot of good bacteria (gut microbiome) so what you are seeing with softer stools is probably a result of the drugs and repeat treatment. It takes time for the good bacteria to re-establish, and they are needed for proper digestion. That is why most vets are reluctant to treat unless really necessary.

You can try some probiotic to help reestablish this bacteria. Be sure to get reptile/bird probiotic as it is needed as opposed to a mammal probiotic.
 

gusismyhomie

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Diet, a mix of collard greens, chard, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, Timothy hay... *Very* occasionally raspberries, strawberries, but not since prior to his parasite treatment.
 

gusismyhomie

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Trichomonas is an extremely common flagellate found in tortoises. Most experienced tortoise vets consider them a normal part of gut flora and non-pathogenic - unless numbers get extremely high. So unless other symptoms such as weight loss, runny or mucous laden stools, lethargy are present, treatment is not necessary.

I assume Flagyl was used. (Metronidazole). That is done with a follow-up treatment in 3-4 days if needed, so I assume that is what you mean by 2 back to back?

The drug will also kill a lot of good bacteria (gut microbiome) so what you are seeing with softer stools is probably a result of the drugs and repeat treatment. It takes time for the good bacteria to re-establish, and they are needed for proper digestion. That is why most vets are reluctant to treat unless really necessary.

You can try some probiotic to help reestablish this bacteria. Be sure to get reptile/bird probiotic as it is needed as opposed to a mammal probiotic.

Numbers very high and experiencing bad symptoms. He's definitely healthier post-treatment, which was metronidazole. Back-to-back, meaning 2 months (because his first treatment, which you described, was not effective enough). Numbers low enough now that vet sees them as normal. Do you recommend a particular reptile probiotic?
 
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Markw84

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Numbers very high and experiencing bad symptoms. He's definitely healthier post-treatment, which was metronidazole. Back-to-back, meaning 2 months (because his first treatment, which you described, was not effective enough). Numbers low enough now that vet sees them as normal. Do you recommend a particular reptile probiotic?
Bene-Bac Reptile is a good one.
 

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