Nematodes or plastic?

drurymercy

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I was feeding all my jumper slings and the adults, I look over my Avic had this in his mouth. I panicked but the more I looked at it I was like maybe it’s web since he destroyed his webbing after he molted, then I was like plastic from drilling holes maybe? I took it out his mouth kinda felt like soft soft plastic but then I dropped it and can’t find it. Any ideas?
 

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Arachnophobphile

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I was feeding all my jumper slings and the adults, I look over my Avic had this in his mouth. I panicked but the more I looked at it I was like maybe it’s web since he destroyed his webbing after he molted, then I was like plastic from drilling holes maybe? I took it out his mouth kinda felt like soft soft plastic but then I dropped it and can’t find it. Any ideas?
Doesn't completely look like nematodes. The mouth area does not look like it has any nematode infestation. It also does not look like a horse hair worm. Whatever it is I'm unsure.

Check this link out, scroll down to the nematode section.
 

drurymercy

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Doesn't completely look like nematodes. The mouth area does not look like it has any nematode infestation

Check this link out, scroll down to the nematode section.
Thank u! At first I just panicked but I thought so too it was on his fangs. I just guess i needed to hear from ppl more knowledgeable than me😭 I’ll check that link out rn. Thank u so much
 

Arachnophobphile

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Thank u! At first I just panicked but I thought so too it was on his fangs. I just guess i needed to hear from ppl more knowledgeable than me😭 I’ll check that link out rn. Thank u so much
Inspect the tarantula's anus just to be sure. Nematodes can come out from that on a tarantula. Also make sure the booklungs are clear.

If I saw something like that I'm doing a complete inspection of the T.
 

drurymercy

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Inspect the tarantula's anus just to be sure. Nematodes can come out from that on a tarantula. Also make sure the booklungs are clear.

If I saw something like that I'm doing a complete inspection of the T.
K I will I read that and it did scare me since he has been restless turning circles, and going to the bottom by his water dish the past few days. Today was his first normal day. I will go do a full inspection right now just in case! I got him from my reptile store where they are CB by the employees but now I might ask them if their avics are WC just so I know. Cool link too though! I thought mold wasn’t really an issue, and to see it treated with betadine! I always love learning more so thanks agsin
 

Arachnophobphile

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K I will I read that and it did scare me since he has been restless turning circles, and going to the bottom by his water dish the past few days. Today was his first normal day. I will go do a full inspection right now just in case! I got him from my reptile store where they are CB by the employees but now I might ask them if their avics are WC just so I know. Cool link too though! I thought mold wasn’t really an issue, and to see it treated with betadine! I always love learning more so thanks agsin
Pet stores and tarantulas don't mix well. It's probably a captive bred T but all it takes is some other animal in the store to have nematodes and it can contaminate other animals.

I'm still not sure what it is though.
 

Arachnophobphile

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That’s what I think too, only thing is he is in an enclousure I actually bought not made. I’ll just keep an eye on him he is one of my favorites
That wouldn't make a difference with nematodes but it does help some.

If you have more tarantulas isolate this one away from the others until you can verify what it is and the T looks uncontaminated.
 

drurymercy

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Pet stores and tarantulas don't mix well. It's probably a captive bred T but all it takes is some other animal in the store to have nematodes and it can contaminate other animals.

I'm still not sure what it is though.
Yeah I honestly didn’t think of that. I thought I was safe now I’ve only been buying from reputable breeders but my first ones were all purchased at the same store.

I do have a lot more. I’ll go put him over on the other side of the room, the rest of the house is cold here in Utah. Should that be ok, I have a big bedroom? It should I put him upstairs?
 

Arachnophobphile

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Yeah I honestly didn’t think of that. I thought I was safe now I’ve only been buying from reputable breeders but my first ones were all purchased at the same store.
Don't go into panic mode, stay calm. It might be nothing and it doesn't mean your other T's are infected with anything. Isolate this T away from your others until you can verify it is fine.

I've bought slings from a pet store before and never had any parasitic issues.
 

drurymercy

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Don't go into panic mode, stay calm. It might be nothing and it doesn't mean your other T's are infected with anything. Isolate this T away from your others until you can verify it is fine.

I've bought slings from a pet store before and never had any parasitic issues.
Yeah I just double checked him. I’m thinking it was plastic of some sorts! Maybe it was on a cricket I fed him. I made new containers for the crickets. But I will check again later
 

fcat

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Yeah I honestly didn’t think of that. I thought I was safe now I’ve only been buying from reputable breeders but my first ones were all purchased at the same store.

I do have a lot more. I’ll go put him over on the other side of the room, the rest of the house is cold here in Utah. Should that be ok, I have a big bedroom? It should I put him upstairs?
Move him to another room. It doesn't look like a larva that would pupate into something with wings but better safe than sorry.

This would be the final push for me to get a microscope, if I didn't have one already....
 

Arachnophobphile

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Yeah I just double checked him. I’m thinking it was plastic of some sorts! Maybe it was on a cricket I fed him. I made new containers for the crickets. But I will check again later
I think your T is fine to be honest.

Some things about nematodes:
1. They start out microscopic
2. Predatory nematodes are used in Agriculture
3. In tarantulas they go un-noticed for a considerable amount of time. When they become visible to human eyesight it is accompanied with white pus around the mouth area. This is due to the tarantula regurgitating the eggs of the nematodes.
4. If a tarantula has these visible signs indicating nematode infestation it will die a slow death. Humanely euthanizing the tarantula is the only option to prevent an agonizing death.

I only seen the mouth area in your photo and it appears 100% healthy.

If you ever have a nematode infection in a tarantula:
1. Never use the same tools for the other tarantulas with the infected one vice versa.
2. Always wash your hands after any interaction of the infected T
3. Seems OCD but it is recommended to wash your clothes after interacting with the infected T before interacting with the healthy ones.
4. Obviously sanitize the tools used afterwards, tongs, paintbrush etc. etc.
 

TheraMygale

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If it was nematodes, parasitic nematodes, youre tarantula would be on death row right now.

to see nematodes that big, coming out of a mouth… no way you wouldnt have noticed odd behavior from your tarantula.

mouth cavity looks way to clean for it to be a nematode. Doesnt look like horsehair worms either.
 
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