islandtort
Member
I took me new 4yo Hermanns, Darwin to the vet for an initial check up and had a fecal test done. The vet told me he has pin worms and another kind of worm that sounded like the name "Flagyl?" but I can't recall what she said and she didn't write it down, and possibly a tape worm egg but she wasn't sure. She gave him a dose of flagyl (I did not get this confused with the worm she told me she found, but I know nothing about tortoise parasites. I am a nurse but nowhere near a vet), and panacur. When we got home I was actually in the process of building him a new tortoise table- I had him in a tank. im learning- so I completed it and put him in there with all new substrate ect. We have another vet appointment in about a week and a half for another fecal test, but I have some questions about how to go about this until then.
1- how often should I change everything out? He hasn't pooped yet and its been 5 days since the appointment, but he did go into a new environment/stress I suppose. He is just coming around to the new place.
2- Should I only change everything out when he poops or do it every day regardless?
2a- if I should only change everything when he poops, do I also need to do it when he pees? (usually in his water)
3- would it be okay to sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth in his enclosure to battle the parasite eggs that could be there or would this be pointless?
3a- should I feed him DE? If so, would I just sprinkle it on his food like calcium powder?
4- do I or my dogs have any risk in contracting anything from him? I am keeping him in his enclosure only and washing my hands after any contact whatsoever with him.
5- after he gets a clean bill of parasite free, im assuming I generally won't have to worry about this again with him because he will be by himself or in an enclosure?
This is all the questions I have for now. If you guys think of any more tips I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for any info anyone gives me as well!
1- how often should I change everything out? He hasn't pooped yet and its been 5 days since the appointment, but he did go into a new environment/stress I suppose. He is just coming around to the new place.
2- Should I only change everything out when he poops or do it every day regardless?
2a- if I should only change everything when he poops, do I also need to do it when he pees? (usually in his water)
3- would it be okay to sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth in his enclosure to battle the parasite eggs that could be there or would this be pointless?
3a- should I feed him DE? If so, would I just sprinkle it on his food like calcium powder?
4- do I or my dogs have any risk in contracting anything from him? I am keeping him in his enclosure only and washing my hands after any contact whatsoever with him.
5- after he gets a clean bill of parasite free, im assuming I generally won't have to worry about this again with him because he will be by himself or in an enclosure?
This is all the questions I have for now. If you guys think of any more tips I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for any info anyone gives me as well!