hey
ive just cleaned my turtle tank and noticed once it was done hundreds of little white worms about a couple of mmlong and as thin as cotton. i have no idea where they came from or what they are or how to get rid of them! its the first time ive ever seen this. if you can help me figure out what they are and how to make them go away that would be greatly appreciated.
thankyou eveie.
2007-10-23 06:13:49 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
you need to take it to the vets because you cannot give it normal worming tablets it needs special ones.
2007-10-23 06:18:40 · answer #1 · answered by nevermindu2 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hey, they sound like worms which live in the turtles gut and will occasionally get passed out in his faeces. you'll have to take him to a reptile vet to get rid of them as most vets dont know much about turtles or stock the right medicines for them. you can find one in your area by searching the internet or on the rcvs website. it might help to take a fresh faeces sample with you if you can because the vet can analyse it and find out exactly whats going on.
The other thing you can do is to keep his tank really clean and remove any poo daily as this will stop him re infecting himself and there wont be a build up of worms in his gut which could kill him.
Its sometimes a good idea to take a faeces sample to your vet around every 6 months to have it checked for worms and then treat your turtle if he needs it, to stop this happening again.
Hope this helps!
2007-10-23 07:19:52 · answer #2 · answered by nicola t 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get some Betadyne from your medicine cabinet. Dilute some in a cup, enough to make a dark-colored tea solution. Take a toothbrush (just for the turtle) and scrub clean, under running, warm tap water.
When you become more experienced at it, you can squirt straight Betadyne on the shell, avoiding the mouth and ears ears, and scrub away. I do it with my Red footed every time I let her bask in the backyard.
I think what you have is fruit flies that laid eggs on her. Disinfect the bedding, or replace it. Remove uneaten food sooner next time. Good luck
2007-10-23 11:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by TURANDOT 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's likely just Planaria, they are harmless. They can show up in large numbers in fish and turtle tanks and feed on old food. Try not to overfeed and keep the tank, especially the gravel, as clean as you can that will reduce the numbers.
2007-10-23 10:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by Thea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to the vets as quickly as you are able to and that they might desire to be waiting to prescribe a direction of worming therapy. you would be able to desire to verify that his enclosure is carefully wiped sparkling and disinfected (using a reptile-secure air purifier), as there is not any element in determining to purchase a direction of therapy for him to get reinfected. additionally, in case you have different reptiles, verify you wash your palms thoroughly with an antibacterial cleansing soap after coping with each of them and handle the sick tortoise final to minimise the possibility of go-an infection. stable success!
2016-11-09 07:14:39 · answer #5 · answered by ritzer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to the vet and get some wormer for it, they can get worms, won't do too much harm if you get it treated right away, don't buy over the counter products as they may not be suitable
2007-10-25 01:31:30 · answer #6 · answered by fruitcake 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get him to a vet right away...how would you like worms up ur butt?
2007-10-24 12:05:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Panacur that you get from the vets is the best for worms.
2007-10-23 06:47:04 · answer #8 · answered by melvyn c 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
boiling water
2007-10-23 06:38:20 · answer #9 · answered by david c 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋