white stuff around mouth

[Rebecca Burrett]

After an excellant day at the show today, i started to put the t's into the new enclosure, checking each as i go.
Now i got to the Ornithoctonus aureotibialis and noticed a white substance coming from it's mouth, it is also quite lethargic, ive put it in isolation away from the rest of the collection, but can anybody shed ay light on this as it cant be a good sign.
thanks in advance

[Toran Tanner]

that could be a dead spider walking, but I hate saying nematoads. I hope it is not . can you get a pic. If not get a close look at the white and see if it move or looks like tiny worms. hope this help somewhat.

[Rebecca Burrett]

thanks had a feeling it could be a nemotode, but couldnt be sure, i gently shook the pot and it stayed tucked in and didnt try to steady its self. i just checked again and the white stuff has gone and moved about an inch when i shook the pot. I did a search and read that a t with nemotodes wont steady its self and that there is no hope.
im in two minds now as to leave it and see how it goes or do euthanase it, will post a pic up soon once ive got one.
As the white stuff is also spread around the pot i got the idea of putting some under the mocroscope to check.?

[Chris Sainsbury]

Keep it well away from the rest of your spids
do not use any forceps with you other spids that have been in contact with this spid
dont used uneaten crix from this spid with your other spids

To be honest that don't sound good at all. If it can't move it's chelicerae (try and get it to attack a chop stick or something) then I would freeze it or shove it in alcohol now. no point risking the rest of the spids.

BTW once in alcohol you will be able to see the nematodes quite well also.

cheers
Chris

[matthew spooner]

hey rebecca, may i ask who you bought this t from. i ask this as i have friends who have bought Ts from a certain dealer (who i will not name) at the show in the past, and they have been wild caught and have had nematodes. for this reason i always avoid that stall.
a little tip for ya, nematodes cannot survive below 6 degrees or above a certain temperature, which i cant remember but can find out and get back to ya with.
depending on species and if it can tolerate the temperature, if you put it in an incubator at this high temp for 5 days, give it a 10 day rest then back in for another 5 days, theis can cure the problem.

[Rebecca Burrett]

im not sure on the name of them but it was a woman selling at them at £7 in the main hall if that helps. i did read that nemotodes cant stand temps over 100degrees but have no idea if this t can withhold temps that high at that low at 6degrees but its worth a shot.
I did try taking photos but the flash kept getting in the way.
there is now no residue coming from the mouth parts and have had it under the microscope and cant see anything odd.

[matthew spooner]

well thats a good sign, perhaps try seeing if she wille at anything, if she eats then hopefully it isnt as bad as it seems,

[James Box]

Rebecca, read this thread: http://www.thebts.co.uk/forums/showt...nematode+worms
there's a link to an article that might help.
i really hope it's not the case!!!

[Rebecca Burrett]

cheers for the link had a look and clicked on the links the article was intresting. After seeing pictures of tarantulas affected by nemotodes im not sure now weather it is the problem.
The stuff on my t's fangs looked more like poo, ive put it away in the airing cupboard where its dark and warm. its now climbed to the top of the pot, i offered it a sml cricket and it ate which ive learnt wouldnt happen if it was infected.
things are looking up

[James Box]

thank God...i'd say that's a pretty definite sign, based on all i've read, that it's NOT nematodes
if it's maggots, that's pretty bad too, but you might be able to drown them by carefully immersing the spider's mouth in water...i did that with a millipede that i found covered in fruitfly maggots...