Herpes Tests?

[Laraine]

Has anyone had one of the Herpes tests done?
How long did it take?
What do they do to get a sample?
How much is it?

We dont have any problems, but was thinking about getting it done before I introduce a few torts to a group.

[Star]

Hi Laraine,

I haven't ever had one done so not to sure, but if you have no signs then I am not to sure why you would want to pay and have it done?

But if you would feel more at ease with getting the test done, you can contact your local vets who will be able to quote you a price, or you could even look on the web for prices.

Good luck

[helen1]

Hi Laraine

I am sure there was a discussion on the TT site re herpes testing.....I would be interested in finding out if there was a definitive test...I have a couple of imports who I would feel easier if were tested and a couple of males who had been living with horsfields...they are TGI. Currently all of these are living in two seperate groups as I do not want to take any risks...

[Bobtail]

Hi shelly had her herpes test done and she was clear, it was a blood test.

[Laraine]

Originally Posted by Star

Hi Laraine,

I haven't ever had one done so not to sure, but if you have no signs then I am not to sure why you would want to pay and have it done?

But if you would feel more at ease with getting the test done, you can contact your local vets who will be able to quote you a price, or you could even look on the web for prices.

Good luck

There are no outward signs if a tortoise is a carrier of the virus. I have a few torts in quarantine, 2 hermans and a wild caught indian star, I want to have them checked out before I introduce them to the others, I need to make sure that there is no risk.

[Dawn Fletcher]

I had a blood test done on one of mine some time ago.......becasue as it was stated earlier by someone else the herpes virus is a little bit like HIV in humans it can hide its self for a decade before it shows any outward signs that a tortoise is a carrier.
Its when It shows the signs that unfortunatly the damage is done......and most likely passed on to any other torts they have shared their habitate with them for that decade.
Think it was close to £50 it cost me some years ago.
I had mine done at the vets in Leeds at moortown.

I beleive their is a better more deffinitive test now though.....although I know little about it.

Dawn

[Star]

I was under the impression that it was similar to the RNS.....am I wrong?

As you say Dawn, if it can be undetected for a decade, then yes, if it was for ease of mind and to prevent contamination to the other tortoises, then I agree

It would be interesting to find some further information about the herpes virus, if it is only contagious when a tortoise has the outward signs or if like aids, it can be passed on by other means.......

I dont seem to be able to find much information regarding this subject and I think it would be a good thread if we could get someone with a wide knowledge to the in's and out's of this subject.....

[helen1]

The problem with the blood test, as far as I know, is that it can give false negatives...as the disease may need to be active to show up...

[Laraine]

Originally Posted by helen1

The problem with the blood test, as far as I know, is that it can give false negatives...as the disease may need to be active to show up...

I thought it was false positives Helen, I remember reading someone had a positive result had the test redone after a year or so and the test was then negative, so they could then get another tortoise.

Star, a link to the TT information about the Herpes virus
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/herpeswarning.htm

[Star]

Hi Laraine,

Thanks for the link.....From what I can see, if your concerned then your better off getting the test done.....its probably the only thing that will ease your mind


Good Luck