General Care Discussion :: Long white string hanging from turtles bottom

[DaROOFisonfiya]

My RES has what looks like dental floss hanging from his bottom. This happened once before and I pulled it out and he was fine. Has anyone else had this issue? He hasn't had anything different to eat. The only thing that I can think of is that he likes to bite at the sealant around the bottom of his tank. I try to divert his attention when I see or hear him do it. I've inspected it and can't see that he's actually ever pulled any away and swallowed it though.

I'm trying to give him a little time to see if he can pass it on his own, because it smelled horrible last time and I really don't want to do it again if I can keep from it, lol.

[rsour24]

i rly have no idea sorry

[blackforces get you]

maybe he has "worms". hopefully not. does the white floss thing move? what color is it?

take pics if you can. and if you cant, describe it more

[DaROOFisonfiya]

It's really white, it looks just like dental floss. No, it doesn't move. It has been breaking off but it is about 8 or 9 inches long, total. Right now, most of it is gone. If it comes back out more, I will try to snap a picture. His behavior hasn't changed and it doesn't seem to hurt him. He's still very active and still eating.

[Spike 7.62]

That's really strange, 8 or 9 inches is pretty long. Do an internet search for stomach worms in reptiles; symptoms and causes. How big is your turtle? I wouldn't advise pulling it out either, that may cause more harm than good.

-spike

[worldpeace]

I've never heard about something like this...hope it's nothing serious.

[rsour24]

maybe he has "worms". hopefully not. does the white floss thing move? what color is it?

take pics if you can. and if you cant, describe it more

u just said it was white and asked hat color it as XD lol

[blackforces get you]

lol since floss was white i assumed it was but just to be sure rsours, i had to ask

but 9 inches...thats pretty long. and worms are that long as well. what have you been feeding it? any raw foods?

[gwennie]

Sounds like a worm to me. Might be a good idea to take your turtle into the vet to get him wormed just to be safe.

It could be a dead one, hence the not moving part.

If you can't figure it out to be anything else, I think that's the most likely cause.

[marisa]

It sounds like a tapeworm to me. A segment of it is what likely came out of your turtle. Take your turtle to a vet and bring a stool sample with you (also a piece of that "floss").

[corey7144]

tape worms are not good... A vet is the best option.