Parasite question

Skip K

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The only torts I ever had dewormed were two imported Russians years ago. Have never been overly concerned about parasites in any of my other long term torts as all seem healthy and robust. My question deals with diet. Is there any natural food that is a natural dewormer or that would keep a minor parasite load from becoming an issue? I believe proper husbandry is probably the best preventative measure in relation to parasites and their effect...but is there is a food that has natural prophylactic properties in regards to parasites?
 

jsheffield

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I feed pumpkin guts (with the seeds) to my torts when I feed pumpkins and mix in papaya seeds when I feed them fresh papayas... there are numerous studies/articles about the efficacy of these two kinds of seeds as anti-parasitics among other animals (not tortoises, but I believe the activity is likely repeated in torts).

Here are a few to get you started:
Pumpkin - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27598135/
Papaya - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/aa...684.618082246.1555524533-943492292.1555524533

Jamie
 

Skip K

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I feed pumpkin guts (with the seeds) to my torts when I feed pumpkins and mix in papaya seeds when I feed them fresh papayas... there are numerous studies/articles about the efficacy of these two kinds of seeds as anti-parasitics among other animals (not tortoises, but I believe the activity is likely repeated in torts).

Here are a few to get you started:
Pumpkin - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27598135/
Papaya - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/aa...684.618082246.1555524533-943492292.1555524533

Jamie
Thanks Jaime! I researched this before I posted...and saw the pumpkin seed reference...but also saw others that said it didn’t do anything. There were other foods ...as you mentioned... also listed...and as you also mentioned...mostly for farm stock. Seemed for every reference that was pro...there were others that said none really worked. Also seemed to be some variations on application. Some said pumpkin meat had the same anti parasite qualities...one said you needed an elaborate process to make a ”tea” out of pumpkin seeds...another said crush pumpkin seeds and sprinkle on food. But I appreciate your response and experience in the matter. I’ve seen other tort owners feed pumpkin just as a general nutrition item...and think I’ll try your recommendation. Thanks again for your input!
 

jaizei

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I feed pumpkin guts (with the seeds) to my torts when I feed pumpkins and mix in papaya seeds when I feed them fresh papayas... there are numerous studies/articles about the efficacy of these two kinds of seeds as anti-parasitics among other animals (not tortoises, but I believe the activity is likely repeated in torts).

Here are a few to get you started:
Pumpkin - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27598135/
Papaya - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/aa...684.618082246.1555524533-943492292.1555524533

Jamie


Are you grinding these seeds up?
 

jsheffield

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Often I just feed them both without messing with them... sometimes I chop the pumpkin seeds a bit.

I've also dried both varieties of seeds and ground them into a powder to shake over food monthly.

J
 

ZEROPILOT

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Thanks Jaime! I researched this before I posted...and saw the pumpkin seed reference...but also saw others that said it didn’t do anything. There were other foods ...as you mentioned... also listed...and as you also mentioned...mostly for farm stock. Seemed for every reference that was pro...there were others that said none really worked. Also seemed to be some variations on application. Some said pumpkin meat had the same anti parasite qualities...one said you needed an elaborate process to make a ”tea” out of pumpkin seeds...another said crush pumpkin seeds and sprinkle on food. But I appreciate your response and experience in the matter. I’ve seen other tort owners feed pumpkin just as a general nutrition item...and think I’ll try your recommendation. Thanks again for your input!
It's not that they do nothing. It's that the amount you'd need to feed is unreasonable.
Maybe they'd have a preventative effect?
I don't know.
 

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