Worms and Hibernation

[Bellaghost]

Question for Dan.... When an adult tortoise hibernates (Hermann) for say 5-6 months-If it has worms do the worms die in hibernation ?
Thanks

[Ozric Jonathan]

I'm not Dan. But in case he doesn't have time to answer here's my own thoughts. If there are worms there will also be eggs and the eggs won't die in hibernation even if the worms do.

Either inside or outside the ground underneath the tortoise is probably occupied by eggs. Substrate indoors can be changed but I don't think we can do that outside, or at least not without a huge amount of work!

[sandy]

Dont worm just before hibernation as this can cause big problems. You have to do this at least two months before hibernation.:0)

[Bellaghost]

This is very interesting as my friend's specialised reptile vet advised to worm 3 weeks before hibernation as quote...
" it was good that their gut was cleaned out before hibernation because worms can block up digestive system and they could die in hibernation! "

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Bellaghost

This is very interesting as my friend's specialised reptile vet advised to worm 3 weeks before hibernation as quote...
" it was good that their gut was cleaned out before hibernation because worms can block up digestive system and they could die in hibernation! "

Does this friend actually have tortoises of his/her own?
And have actual experience of keeping them?
Lots of reptile vets have little or no experience with chelonia, they tend mostly to work with lizards and snakes, which are a completly different thing.
I have kept and bred them for over 35yrs, and in the last ten years, those who worm tortoises before hibernation have had lots of problems.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Bellaghost

This is very interesting as my friend's specialised reptile vet advised to worm 3 weeks before hibernation as quote...
" it was good that their gut was cleaned out before hibernation because worms can block up digestive system and they could die in hibernation! "

I don't think this is the normal advice and I would treat it with caution. I've not previously come across this reason for a tortoise not making it through hibernation. I'd be interested to know if there have been autopsies carried out that showed this was the case.

[Bellaghost]

I personally have never wormed my torts before hibernation and they have hibernated normally for the last 12 years. I do not intend to change my routine at all .My friend has also hibernated hers without worming --but has had to visit the vet for another reason and he has given her this worming advice !! The vet is a renown tort expert based in Bournemoth
Interested to hear from any others on this ?
Someone said give them carrot which will flush the system out. 👀👀😳
Waiting to hear what Danny says ?

[Bellaghost]

Ha ha have opened "A can of worms" here ...

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Bellaghost

Ha ha have opened "A can of worms" here ...

Not if people take it seriously:0)
I wonder if its something to do with the windown period, if a tortoise is not 100% healthy (you just wouldnt know if their were an underlying illness) taking any medicine when your tortoise cannot digest or take in food, for up to three weeks and this can be stressful for some tortortoises, it has an adverse affect when medicating.
Personally I think if you are going to worm a tortoise, it should be done a couple of months after they get up from hibernation, and are fully functioning. And have the Summer to get back to normal.
Not sure what they do in the wild as nobody worms them there:0)

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Ozric Jonathan

I don't think this is the normal advice and I would treat it with caution. I've not previously come across this reason for a tortoise not making it through hibernation. I'd be interested to know if there have been autopsies carried out that showed this was the case.

I have not heard of too many people asking for autopsies as they are costly and vets charge enough as it is.
It surely would help with a lot of thing that go wrong with tortoises if we did get the autopsies.