Bad Choice...

Hey guys. I know I'm going to get some heat for this, so let me explain first: My very first ball python I got when he was a baby, and he had mites. At that time, the pet store suggested I coat him in mineral oil after giving him a betadine bath. This worked perfectly, no problems..no bad shes, nothing adverse happened. So I had two full grown balls shipped last week, and both came in with mites. (I have 7 snakes, so a mite outbreak is NOT what I need!) So, seeing as it worked like a charm on my first experience with mites, I did the same procedure. So, I'm guessing you all know what happened next...scales softened up. REALLY bad. The poor things are shedding scale by scale. It's all over their enclosures, All over them, it's really bad. I've been bathing them every day and putting damp towels in their enclosures to try to slough off the scales..but it's been a few days now and its still pretty bad. I can't see how they're comfortable like this. So my question is, what can I do to help them? I've bathed/rubbed them down with towels, tried rubbing them off with my hands...I feel so bad for them. PLEASE HELP! :(
(Again, I know now this was NOT the way to go, I just assumed since it worked like a charm last time, and had no chemicals, it was a better option..)

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Double post just make things confusing. Your answers will come.

Other post = http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...448-Bad-Choice

I think if it were me I would not be trying to rub the scales off by hand or with a towel. If it is as bad as you make it sound I would go to a rep vet. That said I have never experienced anything like this.

Pictures?

Double post just make things confusing. Your answers will come.

Other post = http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=1#post2195924

I can't get any pictures right now because I managed to break my camera. Also, I have no idea how to use forums so I thought I posted in the wrong spot. This is the first forum I've joined so I'm still trying to figure it all out.

I merged the threads and deleted the duplicate post, so all fixed now.

Wish it were that easy to fix snakes, but I don't think things are too serious. Not fun, but not life threatening to the snakes. My suggestion would be to keep their enclosures simple, clean, and dry. Try to keep the ambient humidity up, but keep the substrate dry. Paper towels, small water bowl that they can't tip, hide. That's it. Then leave them alone and let them go through the natural process of sloughing. It won't be pretty, but they'll get through it and be fine.

In the meantime, order some Provent-a-Mite and/or research other successful mite remedies that don't include mineral oil. ;) Good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by habbott

I can't get any pictures right now because I managed to break my camera. Also, I have no idea how to use forums so I thought I posted in the wrong spot. This is the first forum I've joined so I'm still trying to figure it all out.

---

No problem. The mods fixed it for you.

I post pics by uploading to Photobucket and then you just copy and paste the img link in the text and the pic appears in your post. You might be able to use your phone depending on what you have.

Okay thanks for fixing it, haha I will EVENTUALLY get the hang of this...computers are not my strong suit. I will try to get some pics. Right now, they're on paper towel, I have a damp towel lining the back of the enclosures in the hopes that they will scrub them off, and I'm misting more frequently than I usually do. I bought some jurassi-mite, which is all natural (so I know it won't kill the eggs... ugh). I don't know why, seeing as everyone seems to use it without a problem, but I'm terrified to use anything with chemicals in it! They're both active and curious, so I think it's just an annoyance..they don't seem to be too stressed, thank God. Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it! Will try to post pics asap. (Again, not good at technology, you'd think for a 22 year old I would be more adept..)

Alright, I have some pics, but again, I am useless with technology. I have them on my IPad and saved on my desktop, how do I get them here? :confusd:

http://s882.photobucket.com/user/h_a...f5201.jpg.html

[IMG]http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/a...psf6a198a1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse67f5201.jpg[/IMG]

Way to go, you did it!

Honestly it's not as bad I had was picturing in my head. I would just follow what JLC said.

Haha thanks! And okay, I will do that. Thank you guys so much!! Any idea of how long it will take for them to clear up?

For any medical thing, I always want to stress: VET! Best thing you can do as step 1 for a sick snake is call the vet.

For the mites, I personally used olive oil over mineral oil as recommended by the vet at teh time. Was recommended as healthier with same effects and easier to clean up. That said, nothing wrong with mineral oil to the best of my knowledge (and I don't know everything). The betadine bath is good, but can be over done in a way, so I reserve that for minimal use, if at all, varying on the situations. It's been years and I haven't had mites, scale rot, or any other reason to do these things, so my only thought is use betadine sparingly and try a different oil. Also, have you used the Provent-A-Mite product before instead of all-natural products?

For the scales: If I am reading this right, I had something like this happen a long time ago for some boas. Different reasoning and situation, but the thing to note is keep them and their enclosure CLEAN. Use real bedding, not newspaper, and spot clean well. If a big poo or pee happens, the newspaper may not absorb it all and their sensitive scales are then laying in it... But also bedding can keep stuff around if poor spot cleaning, so do that well. I used newpaper when mine had the problem and the vet scolded me, but that said the newspaper worked and I didn't have the problems I was warned about. Keep the humidity where it needs to be, not too low and not a puddle for a cage; This is important because some places (i.e. where I am) are dry in winter and the humidity is hard to get exact. The skin and scales can get too dry and be uncomfortable for the snake, and too wet can lead to other problems. Since they are stressed from this, also good temps all around just like if treating other illnesses. Minimal handling until they are better. Minimal other stresses as you don't want them rubbing too much nor stressing in general. Do not over do bathing (call a vet for recommendation on the amount) and don't over do the betadine baths either.

I have more, but not knowing your exacts compared to what I had happen, I cannot easily put the rest. Instead I will say again: Vet. Mine was a situation where a vet was 100% needed. Yours may not be, but you don't know until the vet sees what's up.

Good luck!!

So as i typed last response, you posted the pics. You are no where near what I had going on, so you probably are good following JLCs recommendations. If they are acting funky, definitely pursue a vet, but otherwise just take good care of him.

Okay, perhaps I over-exaggerated, I've just never had this happen to any of my babies..scared me! Ok so best thing to do is just let them be and keep them clean? I have them on paper towel and a damp towel in there..temps are good, they're acting fine..no more betadine baths! Good news is, mites are gone (hopefully no eggs left over..), it's just the scale problem now. Again, never happened before, and I've used the exact same oil...I can't believe it:( I just feel bad that they're uncomfortable..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by habbott

I've used the exact same oil...I can't believe it:( I just feel bad that they're uncomfortable..

---

did you leave the oil on or wash it off?

I washed it off! Although, that being said, it tends to take a couple good washes to get it completely off..

The damage is done at this point, and really all you can do is continue with paper towels, proper heat and humidity, and keeping the cage clean. I wouldn't bother bathing them, as it stresses them out and when it is time for them to shed, it will actually make the shed go worse because it pulls the natural oils out of the skin.

It will probably continue until the next shed. I had a rescue come in that the previous owner had tried using mineral oil in the same way. I don't know how long they let it sit, but said they washed it off afterward. Poor Brutus was all flakey like yours for about 3 weeks, but once he shed, it cleared up completely.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KMG

Way to go, you did it!

Honestly it's not as bad I had was picturing in my head. I would just follow what JLC said.

---

I'm with you on that, I was picturing awful things.

I've never been in this situation, but I'm thinking keeping them dry (no baths or misting) for a little while might do them some good. One or two layers of stuck shed will not hurt them, so don't stress about that. You can order PAM online and/or buy some Reptile Spray/Relief from a pet store. I keep both on hand at all times.

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2

Oil is not good for their scales. It softens them and if used excessively will make the scales flake off, which looks like it's happening here.

Just get a Mite treatment spray and treat the enclosures and/or animals. All will be well.