Urgent Care :: My Turtle Has Tapeworms!!

[Safdar]

Oh well
Atleast your not keepin them sick
And just prolinging thier death

[Shan2k]

What did you do with the turtles?

I gave them to PetSmart.

[Shan2k]

Oh well
Atleast your not keepin them sick
And just prolinging thier death

Exactly... My very first Turtle named Vee died that way. I couldn't afford to take care of him. All he needed was to wait one more day until I got paid but he died. I was so hurt. I had him since he was a baby for 2 1/2 years. It took me several months to get over it. At the time, I still had a female turtle. I got her so that Vee could have a companion. But when Vee died, I didn't want her anymore.

I mustard up and decided to continue caring for turtles again when I saw this cute little spunky boy turtle at the pet store. I had to have him!!! I vouched to myself that I would never let another turtle died and I would take twice as much care of them than I did with Vee.

But Surely enough both the girl and boy turtle began eating their own poop! I fed them a lot of food everyday!! EVEN TWICE!! (BTW All if my turtles were no more than 4" to 5" long.). It's very hard trying to stop your turtle from eating poop. By the time you see it and do anything about it, they're consuming it.

I just hope they're in a better place with and person who has the time, heart, and funds to take care of them.

[Tenodera]

What did you do with the turtles?

I gave them to PetSmart.

you just dumped them to someone else?!

I doubt THEY will treat your turtles.

[DavidY]

Ummm, contagion...

[xsavingsaturdayx]

If you can get them back then do so. Petsmart will not treat your turtles and they most likely wont end up in a good home - that was a mistake you did but maybe you can fix it.

Good luck.

[marisa]

I wouldn't count on your turtle's going to a better place if you gave them to Petsmart. It sounds like you just did what was easiest for you...

[madmax1]

thats sad! after 3 years where is the luv? i have my turtles couple of months been to vet twice cost me $240. but they are worth it.and are very healthy now. dont give up on them!

[DavidY]

Well I understand that not everyone can afford to keep up with the cost of caring for a turtle (or any pet for that matter) or the time and effort involved. In such a case it is probably best to find a better home for them. But if the animal is sick you have an obligation to inform the person/organization that you are giving it to about the condition and make sure they are willing to treat it. Not just turn around and resell it. Also if they put that turtle in with their other turtles, he will most likely pass the parasites on to them as well. Now you have condemned other future pet owners to the same predicament you were just facing. I sincerely hope that is not the case here. That would be a terribly irresponsible thing to do.

[megcornell]

And really, tapeworms shouldn't be a recurring problem. You treat the parasite, clean the tank, and be more careful with food selection so as not to have the same problem again.
You really should tell petsmart about the worms.
And, I hope you remember your current feelings towards turtle care the next time it seems like a good idea to get one because they're cute and cheap...

[Shan2k]

To all who are worried about the turtles, I did inform the store about their disease! I took great care of those turtles until they started eating their own poop, dookie doo-doo, crap, dump waste, excrement!! I've tooking my trutles to the vet twice in the last 3 years. I figured by them eating their own poop, it would have been an endless waltz to the vet.

Why not try eating your own poop and see what it doest to your body. You might not live to tell about it! LOL!

[kmichael55]

All/most turtles eat their own poop...

Although I don't think it was the right decision, at least you informed petsmart of the tapeworms...

[DavidY]

Yes, ALL turtles eat their own poop and it's NOT a problem if there are no parasites in their system. The vet would eliminate all the parasites. They do not just get it from eating their poop. Parasites are introduced through plants and live food.

Whatever, you tried your best and in the end decided that turtles weren't for you. At least you informed the store that he was sick. But as was mentioned before, I hope you remember this the next time you feel the urge to buy another pet turtle.

[urbancleopatra]

erm... a lot of misinformed decisions just happened

[steve]

I think you made to right decision to give them up, though the pet store would not have been the best choice.

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