Nematodes? Infection?

[bassfiend138]

Just noticed this on my Avicularia. I don’t see any worms but there’s a white dot on her mouth area as well it looks kinda wet in and around her fangs. She just ate 2 days ago with no issue and seems ok. No tip toeing or weird walking. She is WC specimen. Let me know what ya think.

 

[TheraMygale]

So she ate.

Pedipalps are functionning?

should be digestive fluids. Or some poop. Not that its eating it. It happens.

when you see nematodes, tarantula has stopped eating and can’t rest pedipalps.

BTS nematode article

There is another nematode infestation in the spider hobby so, with the shows now starting again, people need to be fore-warned or reminded what to look for.

www.thebts.co.uk

giantspiders.com - Common Ailments

Common tarantula ailments.

www.giantspiders.com

 

[viper69]

Maybe can’t tell out of focus

 

[bassfiend138]

 

[bassfiend138]

So she ate.

Pedipalps are functionning?

should be digestive fluids. Or some poop. Not that its eating it. It happens.

when you see nematodes, tarantula has stopped eating and can’t rest pedipalps.

BTS nematode article

There is another nematode infestation in the spider hobby so, with the shows now starting again, people need to be fore-warned or reminded what to look for.

www.thebts.co.uk

giantspiders.com - Common Ailments

Common tarantula ailments.

www.giantspiders.com

Thanks for the info. I’m almost certain she’s got them. Found a few phorid flys in my cricket container. Her mouth keeps watering/drooling with a milky substance, keeps holding her pedipalps in and has that white spot indicative of nematodes. I’ve gotten rid of the entire cricket enclosure, removed her tank and put it in the garage so I can clean it out tomorrow and put her in a sort of “ICU” box that’s sealed. I can handle losing her but if others get infected I’m gonna be pissed. No longer doing crickets and they’ll be housed in the garage.

 

[HairyPetRocks]

If I'm being honest I would euthanize that tarantula asap. I don't know can they even theoretically survive nematodes.

 

[bassfiend138]

If I'm being honest I would euthanize that tarantula asap. I don't know can they even theoretically survive nematodes.

Unfortunately I did. She was still drooling and had that white spot on her mouth. Kept the pedipalps tucked in. Leg movement was ok but definitely different. In the freezer now

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Unfortunately I did. She was still drooling and had that white spot on her mouth. Kept the pedipalps tucked in. Leg movement was ok but definitely different. In the freezer now

Sorry for your loss . But you did the best thing for her. A while back I had 2 tarantulas from the same shipment arrive infected with these parasites. It was gut-wrenching to watch them get sick and die. And there's still so much we don't understand. Hopefully someday there will be an effective treatment.

 

[Glorfindel]

Sorry friend, what a terrible ordeal

 

[TheraMygale]

Thanks for the info. I’m almost certain she’s got them. Found a few phorid flys in my cricket container. Her mouth keeps watering/drooling with a milky substance, keeps holding her pedipalps in and has that white spot indicative of nematodes. I’ve gotten rid of the entire cricket enclosure, removed her tank and put it in the garage so I can clean it out tomorrow and put her in a sort of “ICU” box that’s sealed. I can handle losing her but if others get infected I’m gonna be pissed. No longer doing crickets and they’ll be housed in the garage.

Unfortunately I did. She was still drooling and had that white spot on her mouth. Kept the pedipalps tucked in. Leg movement was ok but definitely different. In the freezer now

Phorid flies do have wormy looking larvae.
That being said, you mentionned the pedipalps being tucked so yeah, its very probable nematodes.

if you wanted, you could try to see if any arachnid bioligists in your area would be willing to do autopsy on your tarantula. If this happened to me, i would be knocking on every door to get some kind of answer. It helps when we know. Because then we can get to the source. Youd be surprised how receptive certain people can be when we reach out to them. Even brittney spears can respond to a message. She won’t if you never send it. They teach this in university by the way; the whole writing to “public” people.

a person once told me: dont let crickets lay in water or you will get nematodes. Im still curious about that. But you mentionned crickets.

if crickets were your source, you would not be the only one. All the people buying from that place will have them. Do you understand what i am saying?

there is no way, there was just ONE cricket in your batch that had nematodes. Ask around from everyone who bought there. Nematodes dont appear just like that.

i am sorry you had to go through this. I am sorry for your tarantula to have experienced this.

now its not suffering anymore.

 

[Brewser]

A Terrible end to a Terrific Tarantula.
Tough Choice, but the right one.
My Condolences,
Best Wishes To A Brighter Future.