Post Mite Treatment Scale Flaking

Hi all,

I still have prevent-a-mite in the mail, but it seems the store brand I bought before it was recommended worked. I haven't seen a mite in two days. (am I wrong on it working?) However, her scales are flaky and come off onto my skin or on the paper towels. I'm not talking hundreds but 10-20 and I see the strays on her here and there. I'm keeping her on paper towels for a couple more days to see if any mites show up before I put the aspen back in. I'm sure that treatment did a job on her scales. What do you all recommend to re-hydrate. I am assuming that is the issue. I rubbed mineral oil on her this evening which made it much better than before I did so about 5 hrs later when I checked on her again. Thanks.

*I used Natural Chemistry Reptile Spray. Says it is recommended for snakes*

Mineral oil will dissolve the scales and cause flaking. Don't use it.

Reptile Spray works but because it's a salt solution that kills the mites by dehydrating them, it can also cause bad sheds. I haven't had a problem with scales flaking after using it though.

Yup. Any oil based products will make scales soft and flake off.
So I would stop using that.

Just wait for the PAM and continue with the Natural Chemistry in the mean time.

I don't need the PAM. Mite issue seems fine. If not mineral oil, what do I use?

New mites will hatch - use the PAM.

I'm not sure I would apply anything to the snakes scales to be honest.

Treating for mites is not something you do for a day or two, it takes at least a month because eggs can remain viable for quite a while. People think they treated properly for mites because they stop after a day or so, only to find a (re)infestation weeks later. This is why the PAM/NIX treatments every two weeks work - you spray the enclosure, hides, and paper towel or newspaper substrate, and allow everything to dry before putting the snake back in. DO NOT TREAT THE WATER BOWL because you don't want your snake to drink the permethrin.

Repeat the enclosure/hide treatment after two weeks, and again two weeks later. Keep a supply of permethrin-treated paper on hand so you can replace it when the snake makes a mess. The permethrin residue will kill the newly-hatched mites.

Also this is some good reading: http://denardo.lab.asu.edu/publicati...snakemites.pdf

Thank you. I had a feeling that may be true. I appreciate the warning and will do so.


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Just came to add that yes, you will need to continue treating due to the life cycle of the snake mites.

The Natural Chemistry works great at taking care of the snake. The Provent a Mite is to kill off everything in the cage and prevent reinfestation from eggs laid in the enclosure.

Stop using the mineral oil; how are you using the treatment spray? It can help with dehydration in your snake to soak it for about 10 to 15 minutes first, gently dry it off, spray it with the mite spray, then let that sit for 10 to 15 minutes. At that point, add water and let the snake soak for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Takes a long time, I know, but it should help with the dehydration and/or scale flaking. That's a weird side effect I don't think I've seen outside of really bad sheds.

-Jen

This side effect has become crazy. I'm talking scales everywhere and so flaky. I have been soaking her in water and drying her with a cloth to try to get the mineral oil off of her. I called a herp vet this morning and am waiting to hear back. Just something to keep in mind if anyone thinks of putting mineral oil on the whole body of their snake. I have people say they have seen this happen. It really sucks.

I've never used any mite treatment except PAM, and I've never put mineral on any of my snakes, so I'm really just guessing here. But, I think it is likely her skin will be messed up until she sheds again, but I doubt you harmed the layer underneath. If you keep the humidity up so she has a good shed when the time comes, she'll probably be just fine. I've heard soaking too much can actually dry the skin out by removing the oils they naturally have in their skin.

sorry I haven't been back on to offer the conclusion. So here is what ended up being the problem. I talked to the herp vet and because she is a juvenile, about six months old, she will shed every few weeks. Due to the timing, most likely I caused a premature shed with the mite treatment and the oil. Makes sense. I gave her soaks and wiped her down with a cloth, which helped a lot. For the first time, she did not eat so I knew she was seriously stressed by all of this. I just left her alone for the last 2 days. I checked on her today and she has cloudy eyes. I guess I exactly brought on a natural shed before it was ready. I'm just going to keep that humidity up and see what happens with this shed, if there even is one. After what happened, I have no idea. Just going to take good care of her. Either there will be a full shed (doubt it) or those scales that are still stuck but not flaky will finally flake off (probably).