Diagnosis and therapeutic management of gastrointestinal parasitism among the captive population of Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans Schoepff, 1795) at Zoological Garden, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans Schoepff, 1795) is a terrestrial herbivorous reptile that is classified under the vulnerable species of IUCN-Red List. The present communication reports the successful management of gastrointestinal parasitism due to co-infection with oxyurids and ascarid nematodes in the captive population of Indian star tortoise maintained at Zoological Garden, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The diseased tortoise exhibited clinical signs like diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. Direct microscopic examination of pooled fecal sample identified the presence of oxyurid and ascarid ova. Therapeutic management involved a two-dose regimen of pyrantel pamoate given in a 2 week interval at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg body weight per orally. Complete parasitological clearance was observed 2 weeks after initiating the therapy without any recurrence. The two-dose pyrantel pamoate protocol was found to be effective in controlling the parasitic burden of captive Indian star tortoise. Chemotherapy can be combined with managemental changes to nullify the possibility of re-infection.