Preventive treatment with Flagyl good or bad??

Abram · 26-03-2008, 04:29 PM

We are gonna get two Redfoots home soon. I've heard a lot about preventive treatment with Flagyl and since this is new teritory for us I'd like to know how you guys feel about it. Is this good or bad? Is the infection with worms or protozoa (spelling?!) possible to just happen? Or is it something that happens when your torts come in contact with other torts? If you think preventive treatment is good, why and how often should it be performed and how much should be given. If its bad...oh well its bad and we dont need to know so much about it hehe.

What about worming? Is it the same thing? Should it be done by a specialised vet? How often?

Sorry for the amount of questions and thanks for your answers

Michael/Madalina

sandy · 26-03-2008, 04:32 PM

Everyone has different views on worming. I only worm if I see worms. Others worm annually.

ossypete · 26-03-2008, 08:32 PM

flagyl is metronidazole its used for treating protozoa infections. I would get your animals screened for protozoa to see if they have a high burden or not. i would only treat if the infection was causing a problem, redfoots have hexamita present( a protozoa) in their bodies but it can be in small numbers and not cause a pronlem until times of stress.when it can flair up. I supose you could use it as a precautionary measure as you are now the new owner of these anmals as a quarantine measure but it MUST BE USED UNDER VETS SUPERVISION AND ADVICE . If you are going to treat them , dont use flagyl , use 200mg metronidazole tablets as flagyl makes them sick due to its strength.It also can kill off the good bacteria in the stomach so this has to be reintroduced after treatment.

linda · 26-03-2008, 08:41 PM

michael you are getting reds from whom i consider to be one of the best keeps in the uk

you will be given all the correct care instructions

i shouldnt think you will need to do anthing at all for quite a while to come

sandy · 26-03-2008, 08:50 PM

I take it thats Darren?
If so he is one of the most sucssesful informative and helpful keepers around.

Abram · 26-03-2008, 08:58 PM

Yep its Darren, we really don't think they will need worming just trying to learn what people do / think plus after loosing our leopard tortoise we are just more and more cautiouse but yes after talking to Darren today very optimistic and comfortable with planning to get our reds

linda · 26-03-2008, 09:12 PM

unnecessary medications can really upset good gut flora

i only treat if a vet has said there is a need

ossypete · 27-03-2008, 11:58 AM

seeing as you know where they have come from and the person being darren you wont have to do anything to them i am positive about that. As linda says dont treat unless you have to and then only under a vets supervision.

26-03-2008, 04:29 PM	#1
Abram Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 88	Preventive treatment with Flagyl good or bad?? We are gonna get two Redfoots home soon. I've heard a lot about preventive treatment with Flagyl and since this is new teritory for us I'd like to know how you guys feel about it. Is this good or bad? Is the infection with worms or protozoa (spelling?!) possible to just happen? Or is it something that happens when your torts come in contact with other torts? If you think preventive treatment is good, why and how often should it be performed and how much should be given. If its bad...oh well its bad and we dont need to know so much about it hehe. What about worming? Is it the same thing? Should it be done by a specialised vet? How often? Sorry for the amount of questions and thanks for your answers Michael/Madalina

26-03-2008, 04:32 PM	#2
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Everyone has different views on worming. I only worm if I see worms. Others worm annually. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

26-03-2008, 08:50 PM	#5
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I take it thats Darren? If so he is one of the most sucssesful informative and helpful keepers around. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

26-03-2008, 08:32 PM	#3
ossypete Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 167	flagyl is metronidazole its used for treating protozoa infections. I would get your animals screened for protozoa to see if they have a high burden or not. i would only treat if the infection was causing a problem, redfoots have hexamita present( a protozoa) in their bodies but it can be in small numbers and not cause a pronlem until times of stress.when it can flair up. I supose you could use it as a precautionary measure as you are now the new owner of these anmals as a quarantine measure but it MUST BE USED UNDER VETS SUPERVISION AND ADVICE . If you are going to treat them , dont use flagyl , use 200mg metronidazole tablets as flagyl makes them sick due to its strength.It also can kill off the good bacteria in the stomach so this has to be reintroduced after treatment.

26-03-2008, 08:41 PM	#4
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	michael you are getting reds from whom i consider to be one of the best keeps in the uk you will be given all the correct care instructions i shouldnt think you will need to do anthing at all for quite a while to come

26-03-2008, 08:58 PM	#6
Abram Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 88	Yep its Darren, we really don't think they will need worming just trying to learn what people do / think plus after loosing our leopard tortoise we are just more and more cautiouse but yes after talking to Darren today very optimistic and comfortable with planning to get our reds

26-03-2008, 09:12 PM	#7
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	unnecessary medications can really upset good gut flora i only treat if a vet has said there is a need

27-03-2008, 11:58 AM	#8
ossypete Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 167	seeing as you know where they have come from and the person being darren you wont have to do anything to them i am positive about that. As linda says dont treat unless you have to and then only under a vets supervision.

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