Urgent Care

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:36 pm **PLEASE HELP!**

About half an hour ago I noticed one of my turtles had a long white string coming out of his rear end. It kept getting longer and longer. So since there was obviously something wrong i started researching it online. I found a picture of exactly what it was on this site, a tapeworm( http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... 8d0c336fb2), and by that time there like 2 feet of worm exposed. And as if it couldnt get any more horrifying my turtle started eating the "worm" again. WHAT DO I DO?

please please please help. :shock:

i have 3 other turtles in the tank beside the sick one. should i seperate them? are the fish at risk as well? (2 loaches and a plecostomus)

Can humans get tapeworms as well?

here's some video from the moment i noticed it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTN7MuPYqQ0

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:59 pm

You'll need to see a herp vet. Whenever your turtle passes part of the worm, remove it so he doesn't re-eat it. Save a sample and bring it to the vets. You'll need to treat all of your turtles because if one has it they all do.

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:19 pm

I can't take the turtles to a vet until tomorrow. Is there anything i can do for them in the meantime?

Thanks for replying:)

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:44 pm

No, just keep an eye out and keep them from re-eating anything. If it's parasites, they can't do much more harm over the course of one night.

As for the vet, make sure he or she is a herp vet so that your turtles get the care they need. :-)

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:23 pm

Yep!! Herp vet time. Keep a sample of what is hanging out for the vet. Put in a zip lock bag and put in the refrigerator. -- And yes, humans can get tape worms. I bet he has been extra hungry lately. He has been eating for two.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:41 am

I finally found a good vet and took my turtles in. The doctor gave each of them a shot. So hopefully they'll be worm free soon.

BTW if you're looking for a great animal hospital in Los Angeles county, try Village Animal Hospital in Diamond Bar. If you're looking for a filthy dump with incompetent staff and rude doctors, try Above and Beyond animal hospital in Downey. I walked out. It was AWFUL. Does anyone know who to notify about about something like this? That place should seriously be shut down. They expected me to stick a syringe into my turtle and give them the medicine myself, RECTALLY!

anyway...

http://www.vet4pet.net/ = great

http://www.abovebeyondpetclinic.com/ = VERY BAD!

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:58 am

I believe the ASPCA could be contacted, and worst case, PETA has an online contact form that I've used before. You can also check with your police department and get transferred to the animal services officer.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:36 pm

Just looking at the bad vet's website would make me weary. He reminds me of those personal injury lawyers on TV.

You should definitely contact the SPCA if you think something was wrong there. They are usually working with the local animal care officer who has the legal authority to do something about it.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:06 pm

If you don't have SPCA in your area, the Humane Society also goes after animal cruelty.

Urgent Care :: PLEASE HELP!

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