Shocking worm count!!

[alley cat]

I decided to send off a sample of Aggies poo to be checked for worms, she is a 6 year old tortoise that I have not owned for very long, she has not shown any outward signs of problems, just a bit slugish sometimes, eats well, poos and wees each day when soaking. The result was shocking, higher than 480 epg is classed as High, well Aggie had a count of 9260 epg this was for Oxyurids the rest was fine, I can only assume that she may never have been wormed in her life! Does anyone know how long it would take for a build up like this to occur??

[alley cat]

Forgot to say that Wormcount said this is the highest count they have ever had for a tortoise!

[16 shells]

Are you going to treat the Tortoise yourself.

[alley cat]

Originally Posted by 16 shells

Are you going to treat the Tortoise yourself.

Yes I have started it, am using Panacur paste which is what I normally use for my others.

I am just glad that she is still seperate from my group!

[Catwoman63]

OMG that is an extremely high number and i was worried about Ari's 1 egg they found.......you going to worm her yourself? X

[Easter Bunny]

WOW, That is high. I suprised she was still eating, or then again the worms might have been making her hungry x

[16 shells]

As a thought it is common for a Tortoise to carry a relative small worm count, probably coming from wild plant leaves, as deposit's of intestinal parasites eggs past on from other animal's, bird's being a big donor.

[alley cat]

Originally Posted by 16 shells

As a thought it is common for a Tortoise to carry a relative small worm count, probably coming from wild plant leaves, as deposit's of intestinal parasites eggs past on from other animal's, bird's being a big donor.

Yes, I have always thought that it is quite normal and healthy to carry SOME worms, it would be interesting to know what happens with wild tortoises, do they carry lots?.... does their vast grazing range mean that they dont actually get many?..... although surely once they have a few they would multiply (like Aggie) how do they manage?.... could it eventually be a cause of death?....so much to learn still!!

[Dexieii]

Wow, that's a record I wouldn't like to beat!

[16 shells]

Originally Posted by alley cat

Yes, I have always thought that it is quite normal and healthy to carry SOME worms, it would be interesting to know what happens with wild tortoises, do they carry lots?.... does their vast grazing range mean that they dont actually get many?..... although surely once they have a few they would multiply (like Aggie) how do they manage?.... could it eventually be a cause of death?....so much to learn still!!

Theory indie wild some plant's will pos, carry worming chemical's, may even be classed as toxic on our safe list's of plant's. We are a long way off knowing this one, i think .