Worried about worms!

jimhorsefields · 02-05-2012, 11:17 AM

Can anybody give advice on treating a horsfields tortoise for suspected worms? He is only about 2 years old and last year he had worms. He stopped eating and slept nearly all day. We took him to the vets, who initially had no clue, but eventually we found a good one. He was completely infested! And had to have several doses of Panacur. He got better and we though all was okay, but 9months on and he seems to have the same symptoms. Does anybody know if its safe to use a wormer called 'Beaphar' - sold over the counter for reptiles/amphibians by Pets at Home? Or is it best to take him back to the vet for more Panacur? Other than not eating much and being very sleepy, he is a very happy friendly tortoise, very healthly shell, skin, eyes, mouth etc. And no sign of worms in his poo?
Any advice would be welcome - thanks

Catwoman63 · 02-05-2012, 12:08 PM

Hiya, i have had 2 of my horsfields tested for worms recently, i used this link http://www.wormcount.com/ you pay £6 per test and they send you the stuff, collect a poop, post it off and they are really quick to respond. Get a sample tested first to see if she has worms or eggs before you treat her again just to be sure X

jimhorsefields · 02-05-2012, 12:42 PM

Arh brilliant, a very quick response, thanks Bev - I will defo be giving this a try. Last time it cost about £100 at the vets and the actual wormer only ended up being £6.
Thanks, Helen x ;-]

Catwoman63 · 02-05-2012, 01:48 PM

bloomin eck! yeh get it tested first then you can act from the results X

jamestaylor18 · 02-05-2012, 04:49 PM

How does everyone give Panacur? I struggle getting it down my two! On pellets they can see/smell it and refuse to eat it! I've tried opening their mouths and squirting it in with little success! Any top tips anyone?

wigwamman · 02-05-2012, 05:22 PM

syringe,stomach tube,two strong hands and some help from the mrs.lol

Easter Bunny · 02-05-2012, 06:04 PM

I used wormcount.com too, found them really good. I have bought the Panacur liquid before from petsathome, had to pretend it was for my dog though or the man wouldn't sell it to me.. I get my husband to hold the torts mouth open and I squirt in the panacur. I found it easier to do this when they were still sleepy and hadn't woke up properly.
I have read on here that panacur paste is easy, people put it between cucumber.

jimhorsefields · 02-05-2012, 08:09 PM

Thanks for advice everybody, i only joined today - and very glad i have! The panacur went down last time, although it did take two of us to administer it...one to hold Jim's mouth open, the other to do the drops. We felt mean but he didn't seem to hold a grudge at least. Will order testing kit 2nite x

02-05-2012, 11:17 AM	#1
jimhorsefields Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4	Worried about worms! Can anybody give advice on treating a horsfields tortoise for suspected worms? He is only about 2 years old and last year he had worms. He stopped eating and slept nearly all day. We took him to the vets, who initially had no clue, but eventually we found a good one. He was completely infested! And had to have several doses of Panacur. He got better and we though all was okay, but 9months on and he seems to have the same symptoms. Does anybody know if its safe to use a wormer called 'Beaphar' - sold over the counter for reptiles/amphibians by Pets at Home? Or is it best to take him back to the vet for more Panacur? Other than not eating much and being very sleepy, he is a very happy friendly tortoise, very healthly shell, skin, eyes, mouth etc. And no sign of worms in his poo? Any advice would be welcome - thanks

02-05-2012, 12:08 PM	#2
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	Hiya, i have had 2 of my horsfields tested for worms recently, i used this link http://www.wormcount.com/ you pay £6 per test and they send you the stuff, collect a poop, post it off and they are really quick to respond. Get a sample tested first to see if she has worms or eggs before you treat her again just to be sure X __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

02-05-2012, 01:48 PM	#4
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	bloomin eck! yeh get it tested first then you can act from the results X __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

02-05-2012, 04:49 PM	#5
jamestaylor18 Member Hatched Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester Posts: 335	How does everyone give Panacur? I struggle getting it down my two! On pellets they can see/smell it and refuse to eat it! I've tried opening their mouths and squirting it in with little success! Any top tips anyone? __________________ James x2 Beautiful Horsefield's (Fred & Ted) x3 Bearded Dragon's (Billy, Betty & Sandy) x1 Tree Frog (Freddie) x1 Corn Snake (Nessie)

02-05-2012, 06:04 PM	#7
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	I used wormcount.com too, found them really good. I have bought the Panacur liquid before from petsathome, had to pretend it was for my dog though or the man wouldn't sell it to me.. I get my husband to hold the torts mouth open and I squirt in the panacur. I found it easier to do this when they were still sleepy and hadn't woke up properly. I have read on here that panacur paste is easy, people put it between cucumber. __________________ Lynne x

02-05-2012, 12:42 PM	#3
jimhorsefields Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4	Arh brilliant, a very quick response, thanks Bev - I will defo be giving this a try. Last time it cost about £100 at the vets and the actual wormer only ended up being £6. Thanks, Helen x ;-]

02-05-2012, 05:22 PM	#6
wigwamman Member Juvenile Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: west midlands Posts: 800	syringe,stomach tube,two strong hands and some help from the mrs.lol

02-05-2012, 08:09 PM	#8
jimhorsefields Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4	Thanks for advice everybody, i only joined today - and very glad i have! The panacur went down last time, although it did take two of us to administer it...one to hold Jim's mouth open, the other to do the drops. We felt mean but he didn't seem to hold a grudge at least. Will order testing kit 2nite x

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