Disscusting

[gillsy]

Originally Posted by slim6y

I don't doubt for a minute that Dabool pulled a large worm out of a RBB, and I don't doubt for a minute it's not a tapeworm - especially at that size... 25 metres. That;s huge.

But what i do doubt however is that parasites - such as worms, are nearly as bad as what we make them out to be. In most cases a healthy reptile (pet/animal) will actually keep the worms in check as part of a healthy gut fauna.

In fact recent studies in humans are showing some parasitic worms may infact have many beneficial side effects - this includes the control of asthma, Crohn's disease and many other diseases.

Even on my travels I just found this website:

http://www.reptilerooms.com/Sections...50-page-1.html

I haven't read the article in full, but the idea appears genuine (but possibly limited in research).

We are quick to conjure up images of parasites sucking the life and nutrients out of us - now a 25m tapeworm in a RBB probably isn't 'in check' but so long it's not liver fluke or heartworm etc then I think over reacting to worms (unless ytour animal is sick) might actually be less beneficial than leaving it.

Firtsly - before you all think I am saying worms are good for you - think about it - it needs more research.

Wasn't it a few years back (maybe even the dark ages) that leeches were used in all sorts of cures? Then - in the 20th century again leeches and medicinal uses came straight back in the limelight... As did the use of fly maggots on open wounds... Hmmmmm... a little weird considering all these things are considered 'pests'.

So before you go whamming and bamming just look into it a little you might be suprised!

I agree Slimy, there is a BBC documentary about this very subject. We have envolved with parasites and some of them are beneficial and majority of the others are harmless yet we are so use to thinking of them as foul blood sucking creatures.

[-Peter]

[quote=slim6y;877683]I don't doubt for a minute that Dabool pulled a large worm out of a RBB, and I don't doubt for a minute it's not a tapeworm - especially at that size... 25 metres. That;s huge.quote]

Actually I doubt it very much on two counts, one is, i pulled the tapeworm, and two, that should be 25ft.

[Dabool]

BTW i never claimed that i have ever seen a 25 m worm of any sort it was -peter who claimed that read thread properly..

[slim6y]

HAHA! I am sorry - I was in a hurry when replying - we all ok now? The point wasn't in the size - was in the use of worms!