weird - scales coming off one by one.

I had mites with my 2nd Bp, didn't see any when i picked him out at the pet store, but 2 days later, his tank was crawling.


I used reptile relief to kill the mites, then was told by my vet(just loves it when i bring the snakes too him) to soak him 15 minutes a day in a small container,
containing a light mixture of betadine and warm water, enough that he could only keep his head out of the water. This helps too clean out any dead tissue or mites out from under the scales

You have allready killed the mites, now it's the healing process--

I chose to use the mineral oil on his eyes and heat traps since they too were full of mites

anyway, he also began shedding individual scales all over--rest assured that after his next shed, all was normal.

I know how you feel, i felt like i was torturing him too--just make sure to spend some "friendly" time after each treatment--you will regain his trust.

GOOD LUCK!!

OOOPS---just make sure you keep him quarantined for 30 days after you know there are no more mites.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pythonweb

I used reptile relief to kill the mites

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Have you re-checked for mites? Reptile Relief, dish soap, mineral oil, etc.. is only good at killing the live mites. If you had a real infestation, then the likelyhood that you have mite eggies EVERYWHERE is very possible. Provent-A-Mite is the only safe to use and proven killer and PREVENTATIVE mite treatment. Get yourself a can and mites will be the last of your worries. :)

That was 2 1/2 years ago---after the one treatment, i had no more problems---


I forgot to mention that i thoroughly cleaned the tank each day while he was soaking---and only used clean substrate each day.

Too kill the bugs in any wood,etc---simply bake in your oven at 180 degrees for 30 minutes--it's cheaper than buying new branches or wood hides.

I also notified the pet store which i still visit since they are the only pet store in my city of over 250,000 people that sells feeder mice and rats--Thay immediately quaranteened their reptile room--they had not noticed the mites and told me they had gotten new stock the day before i purchased my BP from them. I always look at their reptile room and haven't seen the little critter's since. They happen to be the most knowledgeable and reputable store we have for reptiles.

Petco, Petsmart, and other so-called exotic stores in my county--can't ever seem to answer questions or provide info concerning their reptiles--not to mention the bug infestations and sickly looking animals.

Sorry, i'm just rambling on about the stores around here, but it ticks me off!!!!

just for the sake of the archives... anyone looking to kill their mites and using mineral oil... i would NOT recommend it at all. it really turns your snake into a mess. everywhere it slithers... everytime you touch it... you are getting covered with scales.

use another method please :)

Snoopy lost her scales like that after I started using the neosporin & betadine thinking her problem was belly rot. Come to find out after the urgent vet visit, that belly rot wasn't the problem.


Vet coaching was to be sure and use the 50/50 bleach/water and then rinse REEEEAAALLY well, making sure to get ALL of the SCALES OFF!! Then after that air dried, I could clean again w/the chlorhexidine.

Dr. F said that for Snoopy, the next shed should take care of things so Drake would probably be the same way.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sweety314

Vet coaching was to be sure and use the 50/50 bleach/water and then rinse REEEEAAALLY well, making sure to get ALL of the SCALES OFF!! Then after that air dried, I could clean again w/the chlorhexidine.


Good luck!

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Clarify this for me....the vet said to wash the snake with a 50/50 solution of bleach???

OOOps! :oops: Nope, the tank. The snake was to be left alone until the next shed. Sorry about the confusion....

Whew! LOL Thanks for clarifying that!

It's :oops: when the mind works slower than the fingers and three or four thoughts come out all at once:fim:


......Esp late at night (okay so it's still only 2319 here and I'm at work, but the brain seems to be sluggish tonight! )

oh man, that WAS confusing!

i was thinking... i don't care what you say, i'm not soaking my baby in bleach!