Nematodes!!!! Aaaah!

So I rescued a ball python normal about 3 weeks ago, very skinny and was supposed to be recovering from mites. Hes about a year old, maybw a little younger. Based on the condition of the tank when I received it, coupled with the fact that she told me he was mite-free for a whopping 3 days (haha right), I assumed it still had mites... So I took him home, put the tank in the back yard for a bleach soak, and put him in quarantine in a fresh tank. She only fed him live prey but I switched him to f/t to help combat the parasite problem. He eats great, but isn't fattening up just yet, so I took a poop sample to the vet, and lo--nematode eggs were found! I already have him on Reptile Spray every 3 days and PAM for his enclosure (and my other snake's enclosures). The mites are definitely decreasing and he hardly ever soaks anymore (first few days he would submerge himself, poor thing). I take him in on Monday for a full work-up, just wanted to ask if anyone had experience dealing with nematodes and mites simultaneously: is there a way to treat both with one treatment? I'll advise what the doc says, luckily I've found a good herp vet here in town and she handles our wildlife pro-bono, so she's a great gal. Any advice or experience would be appreciated!

nothing anyone I know of could say will be better than what your vet will tell you in just a few days
I wish you luck on treatment and hope for a full speedy recovery

UPDATE:

I took little Ciaran (pronounced "Keer-in") to the vet the other day. The Doc gave him a booplesnoot-to-tip exam. She said he appears to be very healthy, although still a little skinny; he is gaining weight at a proper rate, and the external mites appear to be gone already (although of course I will continue treatment for a few more weeks. Thanks Reptile Spray and PAM!). For the nemotodes, she prescribed Panacur, which needs to be tube-fed into the snake every few weeks. I've tubed lots of wildlife (mammals and birds) but never a snake, so I had her show me while I helped hold him. SO glad I did, and now I get to tube his meds for another few weeks, and hopefully, no more nemotodes!

He is still skinny, but since he's gaining weight and appears to be otherwise healthy I feel much better. I told the girl I got him from about all this and she was aghast, of course. But what could I expect, as when she gave him to me there was a poop and bits of shed stuck in his tank? :mad:

Anyway, just wanted to share with everyone, and add that if your scaley baby is skinny despite regular feedings, it too might have intestinal parasites and should get checked out. Costs less than $100 and your baby is happier for it. :D

I'm glad you took him in to a good herp vet and have started the treatment for the nematodes. He seems to be in good hands with you! Keep us updated on his recovery and health! 😄

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