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I saw my turtle swimming around and I noticed something hanging from her............it looks like a really long white string and she actually has kicked it from her behind. I thought that I would keep watch of her and again yesterday I noticed after she went to the bathroom the same thing happened. I didn't know if it was a parasite or what.......Can anyone help me?????

I don't know for sure but it sure sounds like it. Is there anything she could have eaten that was string like? You should probably take her to the vet and get that checked out!

No, she only ever eats her plants and yummies as a treat, maybe some ham but that's about it. She doesn't even eat anything live except an occasional snail that came from my live plants.

She could have had worms from before you got her, RES frequently aren't kept in the best of conditions before sale, and i know a lot of pet stores seem to feed them feeder fish exclusively.

I have had her for 4 years and I have never seen this before so maybe I will keep a close eye on her and if it constanly persists I will take her to the vet. She isn't acting any differently in any other sense so we'll see. Thanks for your help!

hey kayra, if it looks like this: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... =tape+worm then you better have it checked out by a vet, just because, lets say, you wont see it happen for a while, doesnt mean that the problem is gone, parasites can be deadly.

Snails can carry parasites. All live food has the potential to.

Thanks for all of your help, I am going to call the vet to see how much a visit is and try to get a sample.....those pictures do look like it. I don't ever give Brooksie live creatures b/c I've heard that they can give your turtle the parasites but the snails came with the live plants. Any easy suggestions on how to get rid of the snails??

Brooksie has an appointment next Tuesday, I just wanted to let you all know!!! Thanks to those of you that helped! Any clue on how to get rid of unwanted snails?

Bring a stool sample along with your turtle so it can be analyzed.

I'm going to try, should I put it in anything?? I read that you should put the parasite in rubbing alcohol, anything else?

Get a little plastic disposible container - the smallest you can find - with a lid. Put a little tank water in it and scoop up a couple of pieces of poop and put them in. Close the lid and you are set! Don't put it in alchohol - the vet may need to see it alive.

Thanks, will do! I'll let you all know how it turns out!

So, I took Brooks to the vet and he complimented me on what a beautiful turtle I had and gave me some medicine to treat her worms. So we'll see how that goes but then he told me b/c of the size of her he doesn't think that she is a RES. Maybe some of you could help me. I did post a link for pictures of her in the Gallery section if anyone wants to take a look. I think that I am going to open a general discussion and maybe you guys can give me more advice!! Thanks for all of your help to make my turtle well!!

Your vet didn't know she was a RES?

Yeah, isn't that crazy? She looks just like Strawberry, I've been searching for other turtles that look just like her. She's 1/5 lbs., 7 inches long and about 4 years old. She came from Florida and he said that he has never seen a RES with such a different looking shell.