Diatomaceous Earth

[safari_lass1]

As anyone every used this for your torts?? It is amazing!!! I use it for all of our mammals at the park too, not one neg. fecal in over a year. The great thing about it is that there is no way for a parasite to become resilient to it like most workers. I don't know of any vets that will say it works, although I know 3 that use it as a wormer. I think the fact that it isn't synthetic, makes it seem too good to be true.

Either way, I have used it on my WC kinixys and they have been doing great!! I did not want to use a wormer right away because I knew they were already so stressed. When I did do the first fecal they were pretty wormy, two weeks later the vet says there may be one or two, but nothing that would raise an alarm!! I use it on every feeding on all my animals and have not seen any ill effects.

If you would like to know more here is a nice link I have found.

http://www.earthworkshealth.com/How-Diatomaceous-Earth-Works.php

 

[CharlieM]

I never used it for the tortoises but have used it mixed with bird seed to keep moths away and also in the nest boxes to keep bugs out. It also can be used in compost piles to keep ants out and is apparently safe for earthworms.

 

[NinjaTortoises]

I would like to hear what others say too because it seems it could hurt tortoises but im open to opinions

 

[Eweezyfosheezy]

I had always thought this would be a great dewormer but had never tried it. Looks like I will have to start, thanks!

 

[safari_lass1]

I would like to hear what others say too because it seems it could hurt tortoises but im open to opinions

I have used it in my sulcatas for 4 years and my other others for over a year.

 

[Wondering4toolong]

It makes sense, if anyone has ever actually read up on what animals do in the wild when they have intestinal issues is seek out certain things like clay, dirt, typically toxic plants, etc... (and I'm speaking of all animals not just torti)

Thanks so much for sharing, I am interested to looking into it further!

 

[NinjaTortoises]

I have used it in my sulcatas for 4 years and my other others for over a year.

Oh wow I've read so that it was bad hah

 

[redfoot7]

Is this the same stuff you use in a swimming pool filter?

 

[CharlieM]

Not the same stuff used for pools. This is "food grade" diatomaceous earth.

 

[safari_lass1]

Oh wow I've read so that it was bad hah

May I what you heard about it? After U first read about it being like shards of glass that cut through the exoskeleton of the parasite, I was a bit thrown off. But when my doctor advise that I take it, I did more research and found it was good

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May I what you heard about it? After U first read about it being like shards of glass that cut through the exoskeleton of the parasite, I was a bit thrown off. But when my doctor advise that I take it, I did more research and found it was good

Sorry, I write I my phone and it always changes what I wrote.

I meant to say that "after I first read about it"

 

[tortadise]

Stuff works great for fire ants too. Keep in mind their is two kiinds. The stuff for swimming pools is not to be used as it has fiberglass in it. Organic food grade is perfect for animal use.

 

[Holycow]

I would like to hear what others say too because it seems it could hurt tortoises but im open to opinions

I have used it in my sulcatas for 4 years and my other others for over a year.

How do you use it? Delivery method/dosage? Very curious!
--Jeff

 

[safari_lass1]

How do you use it? Delivery method/dosage? Very curious!
--Jeff

I sprinkle it on top of the diets like I would Calcium powder. I first most all the Greens and weeds with water then mix it thoroughly after sprinkling the Ca powder and DE. I use it every meal

 

[Yellow Turtle]

Interesting stuff, only that we don't have any food grade available here..

 

[Jacqui]

My worry with using it has always been, if it is sharp enough to cut up parasites, why is it not also cutting up the intestinal walls? I can see in larger animals this not being important, but with small walls of a tortoise, all those cuts could add up quickly to a problem.

 

[RedfootsRule]

I use it for chickens and rabbits. I put it in the chickens watering system as a dewormer. I'm not sure what you mean by "sharpness" because DE is amazing. If you stick your hand in the bag...well, take snow, multiply the softness by 10. It feels like touching a cloud, you can reach your hand in it and hardly know your touching it. I can't see how it could do damage to anything.