Protozoans

[atomic punk]

A couple months ago I learned that my male tortoise, Adagio, had protozoan parasites (entamoeba), and we started treating them with metronidazole (flagyl).  He had his first dose and then a second dose two weeks later.  A week after that we did another fecal check, and there was no reduction in the entamoeba.  So a week after that he had a third dose of metronidazole, and then two weeks later a fourth dose.  Today (a week later) we're doing another fecal check, but the vet said that if he's not clear this time, she doesn't know what else to do.  Does anybody have any suggestions?  If he isn't clear of the parasites, should I ask for a couple more doses of metronidazole?  Or are there any other antibiotics or other treatments to try?  Or will he be OK if we just stop treating the parasites?  I really want him to be as healthy as he can be, so any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

[mikachase]

Sorry to hear that he is sick, Hope he gets better. Why did you take him in, is he acting ok? Is he maybe getting it from something at home like food or water? (Not really sure how they get that)

[moeNlily]

maybe you could give him fresh substrate

[atomic punk]

Back in January I started seeing worms in his poo, and he seemed to lose his appetite and started losing weight.  I had him treated for the worms, and he started eating better again and gaining a little weight.  Then after a couple months he started losing a little weight again, so I took him in again.  That's when we found the entamoeba.  His appetite seems to fluctuate from day to day.  He eats every day but yesterday and the day before he only ate a little bit.  Today, however, he's eating as much as I let him.

I did give him fresh substrate since we started treating him.  I'm wondering if maybe he's picking it up outside.  I don't really know where they pick it up from either, but we have a ton of birds living in our yard, and I wonder if he could be picking it up from them?  Maybe I should leave him inside for awhile.

[mikachase]

Ive done a little reading about this since your post and it seems very likely that it could come from just about anywhere. It can come from water or food that is contaminated, or if your tortoise is eating out side and any of the birds/animals around have it and have pooped where he is eating.

I would talk to your vet about likely sources in your area. It might be as simple as keeping him off the grass or giving him different water.

Hope he gets better soon.

[atomic punk]

Thanks!  An odd thing about this is that my female, Andante, does not seem to be having the same problems.  I haven't actually had her poo checked (but have been treating her anyway), but she has not had any issues with weight loss or a decrease in appetite and has actually been steadily gaining quite a bit of weight.  She lives in the exact same conditions as Adagio does.  The vet should be calling me today with Adagio's results, so I will talk to her then about this and see what she says.

[mikachase]

Maybe your female has a better immune system than him? Or maybe he eats contaminated stuff outside and she doesn't? Who knows, its kinda like some people get the flu all the time and others never get it.

Let us know what the vet says.

[atomic punk]

Good news!  The vet said that Adagio is now parasite free!  What a relief!

[mikachase]

Glad to hear it! Hope he continues to feel better.