Loose skin during shed cycle and mite question :(

[WifeOfSlasher]

Is this normal? The skin around his neck seems loose as well as the rest of him. I've never seen this with our bp, right before he sheds He looks more wrinkly. He's a good eater, perfect temps and humidity, he hasn't left his hide that we've seen since his eyes went blue. His eyes have cleared so a molt is any day now. And WOW! Those are some big eyes!!!! Not the best pic...



I know I shouldn't have taken him out but we are fighting mites and I could not ignore the blood sucking little bastards crawling on my baby. I used a wet q-tip to remove the ones I could see and changed the paper towels while I was at it. We can't retreat with PAM for another 1 1/2 weeks, I think? We treated Thursday. Is there anything we can do between now and then to help kill them as we see them? We do have reptile relief on hand. I've been leaving him alone because of his shed but also don't want a major mite issue. So far they appear to be mostly under control.

Thanks for your help

[Homegrownscales]

He looks normal. The Pam lasts quite awhile and continues to work.
Don't worry even just letting him be in his cage you are Doing something. Give it time and you'll see everything coming together.


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[WifeOfSlasher]

So the loose skin like this is normal for these guys during shed More like buying too big pants for your kids so they can grown into them?

[Evenstar]

Yes, boas tend to look slightly "wrinkly" when they are getting ready to shed. Its hard to see in the pic you posted, but he does look normal to me.

The best thing you can do right now for both the shed and the mites is to leave him in his enclosure. I know you want to get those little buggers off him, and I don't blame you, but the PAM will work - it just take a wee bit of time.

[WifeOfSlasher]

Okay, thanks! It weirded me out that he has what looks like loose old lady skin under his chin. I guess he's got some new britches to grow into.

[TheWinWizard]

Actually it's the old skin getting ready to come off that makes him look wrinkly.

[bioteacher]

The Pam should work and remove the mites. I'd also suggest spraying a paper towel and running it along the top edge of the cage to prevent any mites from climbing out and spreading.

I've had mite problems before from w/c animals. Usually, I'll soak them for a couple hours to remove as many mites as possible while the cages are being cleaned and Pam'd. After awhile soaking, I'll add a little betadine to help with cleaning any wounds they may have received from the mites. Afterwords, when the PAM has thoroughly dried, they go back into their cages with clean paper towels. This has worked for me and prevented any further problems.

Not the strongest suggestion to do this, but this was suggested by another keeper and I believe has helped me, I've hung a ®Hot Shot: No Pest Strip to help. I don't strongly suggest this because it can cause problems being breathed in. I had used it as a last resort to help and have had no issues with it in a fairly small room.

[WifeOfSlasher]

Would spraying some paper towels and allowing those to dry before use be a good idea for substrate? Does misting affect the PAMs effectiveness?

[Skittles1101]

I use newspaper and have used PAM recently for my mite issue. Mine are in tubs so misting is not necessary.

[WifeOfSlasher]

Since we have a shed going on we do need to mist once a day to keep the humidity above 60% since we are in tanks. If ranjan wasn't shedding misting would be a non-issue.