Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a hatchling Hermann's tort (approx. 3-4 months old) for about 3.5 weeks. The little guy weighs approx. 50g. Last week, I took him to the local herp vet (ARAV member) for a checkup. The vet told me the fecal check showed a hookworm, and prescribed the following treatment: .03cc of Panacur for 3 consecutive days, wait 3 weeks and repeat treatment, then wait 3 weeks and do another fecal. My subsequent online research seems to indicate that the typical course of treatment with Panacur is more like one treatment per week for 3-5 consecutive weeks. I am concerned that the treatment recommended by the vet is inappropriate for such a small tort, all the more so because I administered the Panacur to him for 3 days, as instructed, and it seems to have depressed his appetite and activity level. I have also been advised by someone with more Hermann's experience that the treatment might be excessive. I have not used this vet before, and don't wish to second-guess him, but on the other hand, he admitted that his experience is more with desert torts and sulcatas, and he does not usually see Hermann's hatchlings.

I would like opinions as to what the appropriate course of treatment would be for a hatchling of this size. Also, are there any side effects of Panacur that I should watch out for?

Thank you for any feedback,

Jeannie

Actually, the treatment plan sounds OK to me.

Is the depressed appetite/activity level normal w/ Panacur?

Thanks,

Jeannie

I personally despise having to deworm turtles. The only way I do it now is to mix the medicine in with Mazuri's carnivorous reptile and amphibian gel diet. Since I have yet to have a turtle turn down this type of food, it is a very easy way to get medicine into their stomachs! Although I'm not familiar with the diet specifics of your turtle, it might be better to mix the recommended dosage with a small portion of gelatin, and a few selected ingredients of his favorite foods (just do not get the gelatin too hot, you have to assume that it will break down the medicine). As long as you get him to eat the entire portion, you know that he will be dosed correctly. I recommend this only because I'm assuming that the stress from being handled and being medicated is probably what is causing its behavioral change. I know that it was too stressful for me to do large red belly turtles, and the small spotted turtles! Good luck.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
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