Treating with Panacur

[sammi]

A couple questions..
1] If you have used it, what was the most successful way you found to give it? Did you give it orally? Or did you put it on food?

2] What about his enclosure? Should I change his substrate now? Or are the pinworms not able to live without a host? Should I change it after the treatment [in 2 weeks]? I don't really have anywhere to quarantine him for the time being - except in a 20 gallon aquarium =/

 

[GBtortoises]

The only way to administer it effectively is by direct oral. Putting on food does not ensure that the tortoise is going to get the full amount of the dosage.
Many people prefer to remove a tortoise that is being treated from a group situation. If it is a solitary tortoise it could be left in it's enclosure. The problem with moving a tortoise that is being medicated is that it is already under a certain amount of stress. By moving it to new surroundings you may be adding more stress. It's always better if you change as few familiar things as possible with a tortoise that is already stressed from being medicated.
I would be inclined to remove the existing substrate and replace it with a thin layer of the same substrate with newspaper underneath. Then you can quickly and easily change it often by removing the "furniture" and then just lifting the newspaper with the substrate out, putting clean newspaper and substrate down and the furniture back in. While doing this it would be a good time to place the tortoise is some shallow tempid water to allow it to drink if it needs to. It may then defecate and expel the worms into the water instead of directly back into the environment. Rinse and wipe the bottom of the tortoise clean before placing it back into it's clean environment.

 

[sammi]

I sat for almost an hour earlier trying to administer it directly by mouth but with no luck. I ended up having to put it on his food. I cut tiny pieces of strawberry, and bit by bit, fed him the whole .2ml....and I'm sure he got it all, because I hand fed him. Can anyone provide me with concise, clear instructions on how to get it into his little mouth directly? I feel like I'm hurting him [and I know I'm irritating him to no end],

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I was taught by my Vet how to inject the medicine directly into the cloaca. It's the easiest way and the tort doesn't get an upset stomach like what happens so often from the orally administered Panacur.I hold the tortoise between my knees, then I pull out his tail and put the syringe into his cloaca then I let go of his tail and push the plunger in with my left hand. It would be easier for a person with two working hands, but I get the job done with my hand and a half. The treatment has worked very well for about 10 tortoises I have done that way. Then I do it again in 10 days. Sometimes my son is around to hold the tortoise but using the cloaca is so much easier then trying to pry open the mouth of a strong tortoise...

 

[sammi]

Does that apply for all size tortoises Maggie? I did mention that way to inject it to my vet, and she said she had heard of it, but believed it was easier to do it that way in larger tortoises. For smaller tortoises she recommended through the mouth - but I'm open for ideas!

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I'm so glad to hear about this method Maggie! You don't know how many hours I've spent trying to pry open some mouths - practically a wrestling match! Now I have another option for my difficult friends! Thank you!

 

[GBtortoises]

I've heard of administering panacur through the cloaca but have always questioned how thorough a coverage it provides being at the tail end (no pun intended) of the digestive system. I've always thought it better to have the tortoise digest the panacur and allow it to pass from the start to finish of it's digestive system. Im not knocking the procedure at all, I've never done it or known anyone that has so I'm just wondering if it is more effective or not. How far into the cloaca do you place the tube at the end of the syringe? Is there any problem with the tortoise attempting to expel the medication once it (the tortoise) is set down?

As far as getting a tortoises mouth open, I've never had a problem whatsoever. I sit in a chair, towel on my lap, place the tortoise butt down between my legs so that it rests on one leg with it's front pointing upward at an angle. I then use a stainless steel dental pick like the one a dental hygenist uses (got them from my dentist). I slide it between the upper and lower jaw at the point of the beak where there is always a slight gap. From there I simply slide it to the side of the jaw at which point the tortoise almost always willfully opens it's mouth. I either use the pick to hold the mouth open or from overhead with my middle finger and thumb. I have the syringe with a tube on it ready to go. Use the other hand to administer. I remove the tube and the pick and keep the tortoise in that position for a minute or so to ensure that the medication isn't going to be forced back out by the tortoise.

 

[sammi]

Dental pick..aren't those sharp? Have you ever hurt a tortoise while doing this? Can you find a picture of the kind you use?

 

[GBtortoises]

Dental pick..aren't those sharp? Have you ever hurt a tortoise while doing this? Can you find a picture of the kind you use?

Of the picks that my dentist gave me only one has a sharp curved point. The rest have flat spoon ends and dull nubs. I've found them useful for alot of things including opening tortoise's mouths.

 

[sammi]

Thanks very much! That's very helpful! =] Makes much more sense now!

 

[Tom]

I haven't had to do it for a while, but I used to use the corner of a plastic credit card.

 

[sammi]

We must look like a couple of monkeys trying to do this. This morning was attempt number two, and I knit so I actually have this hook thingy that looks like the second dental pick in the pictures that GB posted, but not as pointy. I tried that, but to no avail. I asked Tony for help, and for about another 45 minutes we were both sitting there wrestling with Ernie trying to get his mouth open, but between him pulling his head all the way in [we held his head out, but not too tightly because both of us are scared to death of hurting him] and the clawing [the little guy is strong!] we just couldn't do it. I put it on lettuce again and he ate all of it. I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong!

 

[GBtortoises]

Without a doubt, some tortoises take to being handled and mauled by humans moreso than others! So don't be frustrated that you're doing something wrong. Could be your tortoise just isn't as willing to give in to being handled. That's not unusual at all. Some at first touch will pull their head in and lock their legs tight which is the normal defense posture that they have. Some fail their legs and head all over the place trying to avoid contact. Even fewer just sit calmy while being "worked on" as if to say: "Let's just get this over with so I can go on about my business". Those are definitely the minority!

 

[sammi]

He flails EVERYWHERE! Haha...Oh well. This is the last treatment today for 2 weeks. Thanks for your help though! Much appreciated!