Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What dosing rate of panacur are you guys using for general worming of your torts? I've seen 25-50 mg per kg recommended.

Also I only see the paste available in a 25 gram size. That's a huge amount for dosing torts as such a low rate. Are smaller sizes available? What is its shelf life?

I always recommend that you consult with a vet for the first few times when using Panecur, Flagyl and Baytril so you get a feel for when to use the stuff and how much.

Dosages are as follows...
50 - 100 mg/kg orally. Repeat in 2 weeks. (Reptile Clinicians Handbook)

50 - 100 mg/kg orally. Repeat in 2 weeks. (Reptile Medicine and Surgery)

50 - 100 mg/kg orally. Repeat in 2 weeks. (Medicine and Surgery of Turtles and Tortoises)

Keep in mind that I'm pretty sure that there have been no actual studies on the dosage of Fenbendazole in reptiles/chelonians and these are dosages that have been passed on along the years and are probably based on one reference.

>>What dosing rate of panacur are you guys using for general worming of your torts? I've seen 25-50 mg per kg recommended.
>>
>>Also I only see the paste available in a 25 gram size. That's a huge amount for dosing torts as such a low rate. Are smaller sizes available? What is its shelf life?
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Is there a place you can buy baytril and panacure without going through the vet? I use to be able to get it all the time then was told you could no longer get it without a perscription. I would like to have it on hand but my vet wants to see each of my reptiles before he'll perscribe it. Its $85 to walk through the door with them. Gets expensive if I have to bring all of them just for a routine worming. Also how often do you recommend the worming?

Thanks
Casey

All of the drugs mentioned are prescription drugs and regulated accordingly for a reason.

Also, panacur is usually made up for horses, so a dilution is necessary. This is a big risk for overdosing your tortoise.

It is best to only deworm animals that have a parasite problem. Passive deworming is working it's way into the history books as far as responsible vet med. (Of course certain animals remain at high risk; reptiles are not generally in this catagory)

The fenbendazole that is commonly available is intended for horses. It does not have to be diluted but you do have to be cautious as to the concentration of the paste. 100mg/g is the usual concentration and it is marked on the box or applicator.

Many people keeping their animals outdoors commonly worm their animals on a regular basis and have done so for many years without a problem. There are also many vets that continue to recommend this practice especially in the case where there are large collections involved. To have every turtle or tortoise tested every year or less is not only impractical but it is unnecessarily expensive.

While some vets don't agree with this practice there are as many that do.

Personally, I do regular fecals and treat accordingly.

>>All of the drugs mentioned are prescription drugs and regulated accordingly for a reason.
>>
>>Also, panacur is usually made up for horses, so a dilution is necessary. This is a big risk for overdosing your tortoise.
>>
>>It is best to only deworm animals that have a parasite problem. Passive deworming is working it's way into the history books as far as responsible vet med. (Of course certain animals remain at high risk; reptiles are not generally in this catagory)
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

on a side note...

i usually treat by disguising the panacur in their food. i've found that many of my tortoises (RTs) hate the paste. the stuff i have is for horses and has a cinnamon smell (i'm only assuming flavor as well), which may be turning them off. once some of them taste it, they refuse to eat any food that's been near it. i can usually get them to consume the powder much easier.

matt

apple cinamon is the flavoring. I use a feeding tube when administering the stuff.

I've had some tortoises actually throw the stuff up.

>>on a side note...
>>
>>i usually treat by disguising the panacur in their food. i've found that many of my tortoises (RTs) hate the paste. the stuff i have is for horses and has a cinnamon smell (i'm only assuming flavor as well), which may be turning them off. once some of them taste it, they refuse to eat any food that's been near it. i can usually get them to consume the powder much easier.
>>
>>matt
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I have the horse wormer cause I have horses but didn't realize that Its the same for the torts. And one thing I can say is boy does it taste bad. I wormed my friends horse for her and had him sneeze and entire tube of wormer in my face. Man was that gross!

Thanks Casey

I'm sorry but that is a funny picture.

>>I have the horse wormer cause I have horses but didn't realize that Its the same for the torts. And one thing I can say is boy does it taste bad. I wormed my friends horse for her and had him sneeze and entire tube of wormer in my face. Man was that gross!
>>
>>Thanks Casey
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Dear Casey, this place could use some humor now and then, and your story is a great one...I chuckle as I visualize your situation. I am also relieved that for once, it wasn't me...
I have used the apple flavored Panacur on Russians and Leopards with good success, they ingested it when I placed it in a rolled up lettuce leaf. Dosage can be tough, as some ate it agressively and others let it "squish" out the mouth. Fortunately, the dosage is pretty variable, but some have questioned it lately. Good luck, Vic

This is why I use a feeding tube to get a fairly accurate dosage.

You do have to keep in mind that an established/tested dosage of fenbendezole, as well as most other meds, has not been acquired for reptiles. The dosages that are used are mostly based on anecdotal evidence obtained from hobbyists for the most part.

>>Dear Casey, this place could use some humor now and then, and your story is a great one...I chuckle as I visualize your situation. I am also relieved that for once, it wasn't me...
>>I have used the apple flavored Panacur on Russians and Leopards with good success, they ingested it when I placed it in a rolled up lettuce leaf. Dosage can be tough, as some ate it agressively and others let it "squish" out the mouth. Fortunately, the dosage is pretty variable, but some have questioned it lately. Good luck, Vic
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I agree!