Usually a protozoal infection isn't the main reason for a turtles demise, especially so suddenly as you have described. The tort. will likely show signs of inappetance, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, septicemia... ect prior to death/ usually a long process. Perhaps some of these symptoms have been missed as they can be tricky to detect for even an experienced keeper. My concern of you giving your torts metronidazole is that they may not be able to handle it, and you may speed their demise, if they are already ill. Parental fluid therapy may be necessary prior to giving any drugs.

My suggestion:

1) Monitor weight records, appetite, activity, defecation ect until you get into the vet on Monday. Perhaps look for an after hours vet that may be able to get you by until then (if you're worried, or they look ill).



2) Hold off on any medications. If they are sick enough to need treatment, then they likely won't be able to handle what you have at home. In addition, metronidazole likely won't be the most important medication anyways. I'd say, while the protozoans are likely present in any cagemates, the chances of all the tortoises succumbing in one weekend are low. With that said, address any husbandry issues that may be present to stack the odds in your favour. I really think that there was more to this than just a protozoal infection, but I'd have to be there to be firm on that.



Good luck, I'm sure everything will be fine



Ian

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