How is the stool? Most worms I have come across are rather noodle-like in colour. The brown/black colouration may be stool contamination; if it's black, it could mean digested blood.

The turtle is likely wild caught, though I'm definately no authority on the US import scene. This might be one of the few cases to justify the "shot-gun" deworming approach with GI specific antiparasitic drugs. I know I did so with the few wild caught animals I have imported.

Nevertheless, a fecal is always a good idea. A large proportion of parasites that you will see in wild caught (or outdoor kept) herps require an intermediate host to reproduce/become reinfective. Most of these infestations are thus self-limiting. This is not to say that your animal will be parasite free over time, but that if he's doing well now, the problem will likely decrease over time.

So with a lot said about nothing, no, I cannot ID your turtle's parasites. The photo might help me narrow it to a family for you but the fecal will be most revealing.

Ian

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]