Trematodes and protozoa are also common internal parasites in turtles. If you’re keeping turtles, it’s important to know about the types of common parasites, their symptoms, and how to prevent and treat them. Today, will introduce you to trematodes and protozoa parasites.
1. Trematodes
1.1 Causes and Symptoms of Trematode Infection
When turtles get infected with trematodes, these parasites mainly live in the turtle’s liver, pancreas, and intestines. Symptoms of a trematode infection in turtles include a reduced or completely lost appetite, indigestion, diarrhea, bloody stools, or feces mixed with mucus, and swelling. Usually, you can confirm the infection by checking the turtle’s feces.
1.2 Prevention and Treatment Methods
- Deworming Treatment: Use praziquantel tablets to deworm the affected turtle. The daily dosage is 5–10 ml per 500g of the turtle’s body weight, and you should continue the medication for three days as one treatment course. For severely infected turtles, continue the medication for a month before starting another course. Alternatively, you can use albendazole tablets for deworming, with a dosage of 5 ml per 500g of the turtle’s body weight, administered continuously for one week.
- Supplement Nutrition and Regulate Digestion: After giving deworming medicine, adjust the turtle’s diet to keep it varied. You can also give it some digestive supplements to help with digestion, and add appropriate vitamins and trace elements to its diet.
2. Protozoa
2.1 Causes and Symptoms of Protozoan Infection
Causes and Symptoms:
The protozoa that infect turtles are mostly amoebae, which live mainly in the turtle’s intestines. Symptoms of a protozoan infection in turtles include watery or mucus-like diarrhea with undigested food mixed in the feces. You can diagnose this parasite infection by testing the turtle’s feces.
2.2 Prevention and Treatment Methods
Protozoan infections in turtles often lead to bacterial enteritis, so treating protozoan infections also means addressing any bacterial infections. Here’s how to handle both:
- Fight Bacterial Infections: Give the affected turtle soluble gentamicin sulfate powder or inject gentamicin sulfate, amoxicillin, and other antibiotics to combat the bacterial infections.
- Deworming Treatment: Administer metronidazole or tinidazole to deworm the turtle, with a dosage of 10 mg per 500g of the turtle’s body weight each time. Alternatively, you can use injectable deworming medications, such as injecting metronidazole into the turtle’s abdomen.
- Care: While deworming, feed the turtle easily digestible food and provide a 3–5% glucose solution. Make sure the turtle’s habitat temperature stays between 28–32°C and maintains appropriate humidity. You can also supplement the turtle with electrolytes and multivitamins to boost its immune system.
Reminder: If you find that your turtle is infected with parasites, isolate the affected turtle right away, clean and disinfect its habitat, then identify the type of parasite and treat it accordingly.
