Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Any advice would be most welcome.
My BP has recently just finished his shed and didn't eat during this time which is no problem but I have recently found mites on him and I have no idea where he got them from. I have cleaned the viv changed the substrate sprayed inside the viv and all decorations with Callington mite spray and all seems to be good now the mites have gone but my BP seems to be very lethargic, I know they are not the most active of animals but when something is wrong you know its wrong. He does not move hardly at all and if I hold him for a while and put him back in his tank he just stays there. Will the mite spray do this to him and its just taking time for my BP to shake off the effects or could there be something else. Its is feed day tomorrow and I am fairly certain he will not take it again.
Nothing has changed in his heating or set up so I might be reading to much into this.
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
It has no warning on it at all, the instructions were to spray directly on to the snake from a distance of 30cms and remove the water bowl for 1 day so he cant soak. I googled other peoples reviews of this spray before using it and most people seemed to spray directly on to the snake. I did spray directly on to my BP but for a very short time and then I concentrated on his enclosure and decorations more then him, I let the viv vent before putting him back in.
http://www.mite-spray.com/?gclid=CNa...FcwV0wodohsPnw
Above is a link to the spray I used, I purchased it from my local reptile shop.
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Im hoping he is just being lethargic from the spray and will shake it off.
The mites were not bad I caught them at an early stage and on regular inspection after treatment nothing seems to have returned. He was fine while he had the mites and while he was shedding (no difference in behavior or movements).
The set up and conditions are all exactly the same as always, He is handled on certain days (Lock on viv so kids cant open it).
If they did zap the life from him will he recover by himself over time.
Im lost as to how he got them in the first place the only thing I can think of that might have caused this is that I have a dog and I may have stroked the dog at some point not cleaned my hands and held my BP. Like you said thou they could have come from anywhere I guess ill never find out.
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Thanks for you help and comments, I will leave him alone to chill until tomorrow and then try to feed him. He might surprise me and wallop his food down.
Thank you
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Keep us updated! Hoping the best for you and your little fella. :)
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Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Thanks for the update on my spray, Can I ask a question and get an honest answer.
I sprayed him for 3 seconds if that long as I said in my original post I didn't want to spray him at all. When I got home this afternoon he is out and about in his viv looking like his hungry and back to his normal self. I know this mite spray is strong and should not be sprayed directly on the snake but for some reason the instructions say to do this.
Should I take him to the vet or try to feed him tomorrow and see what happens.
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Some sprays can be used on the snake. Others are meant for the enclosure only.
If he's acting better, I would forego a vet visit unless his condition starts to decline.
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Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Thank you for the advice, I will keep an eye on him and try him tomorrow for his normal feed. If I ever need to use that spray again I will only do the enclosure and I have a good mind to contact them on this not that they will do anything.
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Also, why don't you consider calling the exotic vet and seeing how much if any information they can give you about your case on the phone. Consider also calling the manufacturers of Callington and confirm whats written into the direction on the can about spraying the animal directly. His behavior can be a result of the blood sucking that the mites do. They can cause alot of diseases, anemia, generalized blood poisoning, crypto, endoparasite infestations to name a few. So it will be crucial to monitor him for changes. Weakness after, and during bouts with mites is expected and hopefully thats all this is. Good luck. Remember you will have to retreat him and the enclosures in about 3 weeks to get rid of any mite eggs that hatch out. Be very careful..
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
Just an update for those people that advised me yesterday.
I woke this morning to happier and healthier BP, He was active or as active as they get and seemed to be back to normal so I decided to feed him this morning instead of after work and since he didn't eat last week due to shedding he snapped it up no problem so I am hoping that I have had a close call and he will be OK from now. Lesson learned on this mite spray (don't always believe the instructions)
I have contacted the manufacture of this spray to see what they say but I doubt ill get any helpful information back, but you never know. Also while browsing the internet last night on reviews for Callingtons spray I come across a video on YouTube of a lady who read the instructions like me but sprayed her reptile a lot more than I did and her pet seemed to be having fits after this and it wasn't nice to watch but he did survive.
If I get a reply from them I will let people know what they say.
Thanks for the help and advise yesterday, And to anyone who reads this who is going to use Callingtons or can only get Callingtons mite spray near them I believe it may be a good product but do not spray it on your snake like the instructions say to do just treat the viv instead.
Thank you
Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
UPDATE - Reply from Callingtons.
Below is a section of the email I have received from Callingtons or there main distributor in the UK
We often use Callingtons on our own snakes and have never had any adverse reaction to its use. If used in accordance with instructions there is nothing in Callingtons that would harm your snake.
As the weather has turned very cold I would suspect that the lethargy is caused by cold temperatures. Take a look at your heaters and temperature control to make sure your snake is warm enough.
Im newish to keeping BP but I know my heat source is ok but at least they replied.