We took Harry to the vets on Friday for a full check up.  As we've just got him and have no previous knowledge of torts we wanted to make sure everything was ok with him.  He decided to do a poo on the vets table so she said she would do a screening on it for worms, she also advised we should have a test done once a year.  She rang me friday evening to say that Harry had a large amounts of worm eggs in the sample (no live worms found).  She's sending me a prescription to get rid of them, I was just wondering if this was a common problem.  I was very surpirsed he's got them as he's so young he's not been outside yet and only been in contact with other young torts (before we purchased him)  I'm not quite sure where or how he's picked them up from?  I contacted the reptile centre I got him from to let them know they may want to get the other torts checked over and to say he was rude was an understatement.  Could not belive his reaction! 

Hi,

Unfortunately your tortoise was imported over here like all petshop reptiles are and they always carry bad worm infestations so hopefully once you get him treated he should be ok. You need to make sure you give him plenty of baths also as they are more often than not dehydrated.

Ali

The vet did say that he was very healthy, the right weight and size for his age  and very hydrated with bright eyes, so i'm not too worried about his general health just the worm eggs.  The reptile centre I got him from is a very reputable place, all of the various reptiles that were there all looked well cared for, clean and quite healthy so I don't think they are imported, although I suppose you never really know.

Reptile shops import tortoises over to the uk, no reputable uk breeder would sell to a pet shop therefore they have to buy direct from dealers.

Ali