Common Turtles' Internal Parasites: Tapeworms and Nemat
Part One: Tapeworms
1. Causes and Symptoms
When turtles are infected with tapeworms, these parasites primarily reside in the turtle's intestines. Tapeworms continuously drain the turtle's nutrients and can cause severe damage to the intestinal lining.
The symptoms of tapeworm infection in turtles include: poor digestion, diarrhea or constipation, and occasionally, segments of the worm may be excreted in the turtle's feces. Generally, tapeworms found in aquatic turtles are of the Pseudophyllidea order, while those in terrestrial turtles are of the Cyclophyllidea order.
2. Prevention and Treatment Methods
Treatment Principles:
Deworming
Enhancing the turtle's nutrition
Improving the turtle's gastrointestinal health
Primarily focusing on prevention
1. Deworming Treatment:
Administer Praziquantel tablets to the infected turtle for deworming. The dosage is 510mg per 500g of turtle weight.
Two to three hours after feeding the Praziquantel tablets, give magnesium sulfate for bowel cleansing. The dosage is 100mg per 500g of turtle weight. Dissolve the appropriate amount of medication in 3ml of water and feed it to the turtle.
After administration, submerge the turtle in water at a temperature of 30°C.
2. Nutritional Support and Gastrointestinal Regulation:
After deworming, provide the infected turtle with a stomachic and digestant tablet to aid digestion. Additionally, supplement with vitamins and electrolytes.
Part Two: Nematodes
1. Causes and Symptoms
There are numerous types of nematodes, including the hookworm, threadworm, acanthocephala, and leeches. The parasites may inhabit different parts of the host, with those in the digestive tract often appearing milky or translucent, while those in the respiratory tract are typically red. In turtles, nematodes mainly infect the digestive system.
The primary symptoms of nematode infection in turtles include: disrupted digestion, constipation or diarrhea, lethargy, gradual weight loss, poor growth, and respiratory infection symptoms. Severe infections can lead to a large number of worms blocking the turtle's intestines, potentially causing death. The presence of worms in the turtle's feces can be indicative of infection.
2. Prevention and Treatment Methods
Treatment Principles:
Treatment should only be administered when the turtle is in good spirits.
For weak turtles, a period of nourishment may be necessary before deworming treatment.
1. Medication:
Use albendazole tablets, fenbendazole tablets, or mebendazole hydrochloride tablets to deworm the turtle. If the turtle develops bacterial enteritis after infection, combine amoxicillin and metronidazole for additional treatment.
The dosage for albendazole and mebendazole hydrochloride tablets is 15mg per 500g of turtle weight, taken once daily for three days. Turtles will gradually expel worms over the following two weeks, which is a normal occurrence. If necessary, retreatment can be administered one to two months later.
2. Additional Care:
After deworming, encourage the turtle to bathe more frequently to stimulate excretion.
Feed the turtle with easily digestible or purgative foods to aid in elimination.
Conclusion:
The OxyPet Doctor provides an overview of the symptoms and treatment methods for turtle tapeworm and nematode infections. We remind all turtle enthusiasts that parasitic infections can be highly detrimental to turtles. It is crucial to regularly deworm and prevent them from being infected with parasites.
