What could this be? - Yes I WILL go to the vet!

I have not seen anything like that before. It looks like the area around it is swollen a little.

Does anyone know if a small tick can attach inside a heat pit? Just a thought ....

Neil

The tick looked bigger than the heat pit, but you never know. It does look swollen now that you point that out too. It's definitely Not Good, whatever it is.

boogie!!!

j/k j/k

Hope it clears up!

Thanks for the well wishes. I think we'll go get a consultation tomorrow from the zoo's downtown clinic. I can find out if it's good or bad and lug over to the treatment clinic.

Tick! *gets the heebie jeebies* Buh huh...

Get some Provent-A-Mite, treat the enclosure because they have probably laid eggs and you will keep getting reinfested, and then treat the room just in case(spray the room's carpet and make a line barrier at the door jam). PAM isn't too expensive and works wonderfully if used the way it should be used. Don't try to pick the tick out, you will just cause the snake more stress than necessary. If you really want it off, smear a bit of vaseline into that one pit, being careful not to get any near his nostrils, and let the tick come off on its own.

Did I mention ticks are gross?

When you are at the vet, also get a fecal done on Mr. Snakeypants, because he will most likely be parasitized with some sort of internal bug. Take a small fecal sample with you(if he's blessed you with any recent presents), or you can get the vet to do a cloacal swab.

I would advise reading the sticky about travelling with your snake and how to properly secure him and make him feel safe. I use a tied pillowcase that has been turned inside out(threads facing out). I put them into the pillowcase, twist the opening and tie it, then place that in a dark rubbermaid/sterilite/whatevah that is filled with either shredded paper or something else that cushions.

Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot Becky. Having a tick up your nose can not be comfortable!
No poo presents but I can tell I'm probably going to find a "gift" inside his shed skin. Should I hold off until I do have a fecal, or go now while he's just ending his blue cycle and liable to shed right away? Poor little guy I will order provent a mite (This also kills the tick goobers, then?).

Yep, PAM will definitely kill ANY bugs in the tank and in your house :) Very nice stuff, it is.

I would take him to the vet just for a checkup, but after his shed. Then hopefully you can take the fecal sample along with you and won't have to go back for a second trip.

To store a fecal sample, put it in a plastic ziploc baggie, and put it in the fridge(no longer than 24 hours though prior to the vet visit if you can). Some parasites(like giardia which is a protozoan) can't be found unless the feces is very fresh, so you may want to take the sample in sooner than your vet appointment just to get it done, and then you can take Orey when your appointment day comes.

Pls remember the proper handling order during quarantine, too!! Handle and care for all the other critters first, and do the Q'd snake(s) last.....:D Since it sounds like you've got maybe TWO that are quarantined, just be sure to wash and disinfect well between the two.


Looking at the pics, it looks like a tick to me, too.


Good luck!!!!!


R.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aaajohnson

Does anyone know if a small tick can attach inside a heat pit? Just a thought ....

Neil

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Yes, I have seen them attached to heat pits on snakes.

Only one right now, my sense of time is silly, I thought I was seeing Corey this week (for the life of me I do NOT know why!) when it's actually in three weeks. But believe me, knowing he is CH they are not getting a chance of getting near each other and I am not going to carry anything over :)

I was reading and someone said that you can get a lice treatment at wal-mart that contains the same chemical makeup as provent-a-mite. I'm disinclined to believe them. Does anyone have a can handy, that could list the ingredients for me pretty please? You can't get it domestically in Canada.