Nim the Bredli

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Originally Posted by Gobuchul

At least with the Bredli I can drop the humidity. It wasn't possible in the small tub, but in this bin humidity is just above 30%. Hopefully that slows the mites down.

I sure am afraid of spreading to my bp though. They'll be harder to eradicate there.

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If you don't have them in separate rooms already, move them apart. You may have already had a quarantine room prior to getting the new animal and if so, that will reduce the risk of transmission.

Don't handle the snakes without washing up. Mites can hitch a ride on your clothing and you don't want that.

Hopefully you've made an impact on their numbers and can start getting the upper hand.

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Originally Posted by Gio

If you don't have them in separate rooms already, move them apart. You may have already had a quarantine room prior to getting the new animal and if so, that will reduce the risk of transmission.

Don't handle the snakes without washing up. Mites can hitch a ride on your clothing and you don't want that.

Hopefully you've made an impact on their numbers and can start getting the upper hand.

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Yep, they are in separate rooms. I don't approach the bp enclosure except immediately after showering.

Before that bath I noticed Nim was less active than before. After the bath and enclosure move, this was even more noticeable. I was concerned, but looking at his eyes today I can see he's definitely in shed.

Is a humidity in the mid 30s going to be ok for shedding? I'd rather not raise it for the mites if I don't have to.

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Originally Posted by Gobuchul

Before that bath I noticed Nim was less active than before. After the bath and enclosure move, this was even more noticeable. I was concerned, but looking at his eyes today I can see he's definitely in shed.

Is a humidity in the mid 30s going to be ok for shedding? I'd rather not raise it for the mites if I don't have to.

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Yes!

There is no need to increase humidity for Bredli. Your water bowl should provide plenty of moisture.

In THE MORE COMPLETE CARPET PYTHON, Nick Mutton mentions that too much humidity has adverse effects on the shed. I believe I have that source correct. If not, I read about it from another Bredli specialist.

I really hope you can kill off the mites.

You may still be able to get away with a soak or two if needed but I would not use any Reptile Spray until the shed is complete and he's had a day or so to adjust to the new skin.

I had started to doubt whether he was really in shed when I gave Nim a bath last weekend. He was sure acting like it, but I was less confident in the appearance than when I last posted. I just checked on him though and he's currently working off the shed. I'm not sure why I was able to see it before that post but not last weekend.

My BP is in shed as well, on her it's way more visible.

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Originally Posted by Gobuchul

I had started to doubt whether he was really in shed when I gave Nim a bath last weekend. He was sure acting like it, but I was less confident in the appearance than when I last posted. I just checked on him though and he's currently working off the shed. I'm not sure why I was able to see it before that post but not last weekend.

My BP is in shed as well, on her it's way more visible.

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I've found the Bredli shed is more difficult to detect.

This is a semi unrelated topic but I believe we went over the UV light topic before. I do think the species responds to natural light and I notice even without it, there are darker days and lighter days when it comes to their appearance.

Because of that, I sometimes have mistaken a darker day for a shed, and sometimes I've missed the early shed stages because I thought the boy was just darker on that particular day.

You were correct about the behavior cues leading to the shed, as the process involves more than a simple color change.

I was hopeful after the last bath because the recent shed meant Nim had fewer mites on his body. Two days after soaking Nim, cleaning the enclosure, and using more PAM than the can instructs, the mites are as numerous as ever. At this point I have tried this long enough to determine that this approach isn't going to work.

I'll take Nim to a vet, but then he's getting Afoxolaner one way or another. Well tested or not, I doubt it'll be worse than being chewed on by mites while PAM does nothing.

I know Homebody recommended bringing my BP as well, but I'm currently sure she doesn't have mites. The mites are super obvious in Nim's enclosure, and no signs in the bp's. I'd be worried about somehow cross contaminating them during transport.

Not all vets know that afoxolaner (NexGard) can be used to treat snakes for mites, or how to do it. So, I would share this article with your vet prior to your visit.

Do not use more PAM than the can instructs. I understand your frustration, but PAM is only safe when used as directed. Use it otherwise, and you risk nerve damage or death.

Good luck.

That's kind of odd. Are you spraying the paper when you replace it, and whatever hides and climbs and stuff are in the tub (not the water bowl, just to be clear)?

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Originally Posted by Malum Argenteum

That's kind of odd. Are you spraying the paper when you replace it, and whatever hides and climbs and stuff are in the tub (not the water bowl, just to be clear)?

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Yes, and the tub is extremely sparse. I'll spray quite heavily, and see mites crawling in the same area a few days later. They die by the dozen, but there are always more live ones cropping up in those places.