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  • 11-29-2016, 04:38 AM
    Russdent
    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.
  • 11-29-2016, 04:57 AM
    KMG
    I am not familiar with that mite spray. Does it have any warning on it?

    Many times during mite treatment you want to put the snake on white paper towels so you can easily see any mites. They are almost impossible to see in most substrates.
  • 11-29-2016, 05:08 AM
    Russdent
    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.
  • 11-29-2016, 05:45 AM
    KMG
    It seems like most people have had good results with no issues with that product. I know that some products can make a snake lethargic but Im not seeing this being one of them.

    Were the mites really bad? Could they have zapped the life from the snake? Any other changes in the setup or conditions?

    BTW, you can bring mites home from pet shops, shows, or any place that has them. They can hitch hike home with you. Many people shed their clothes once they get back from such a place and make sure they and their body is washed before entering their snake area.
  • 11-29-2016, 05:56 AM
    Russdent
    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.
  • 11-29-2016, 06:05 AM
    KMG
    You are safe to pet your dog and then the snake. Mites are specific to the host.

    You would have had to pick them up somewhere that had reptile.

    If the mites were not that bad I wouldn't think they would have done it. But Im not going to say the didn't. I truly don't know.

    It may very well be the spray. But if it is I don't think you have much to worry about. Certainly if this spray caused a large concern or harmed snakes you would be able to read about it.
  • 11-29-2016, 06:10 AM
    Russdent
    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
  • 11-29-2016, 11:57 AM
    Mangiapane85
    Re: Lethargic Snake - When somethings wrong you know it
    Keep us updated! Hoping the best for you and your little fella. :)


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 11-29-2016, 01:58 PM
    Aste88
    The spray you bought seems to be a 2% solution of d-phenothrin, another pyrethroid like the one used in prevent-a-mite.

    It's scientifically agreed that they're dangerous to reptiles (see this) and shouldn't be sprayed on them. Not sure why the instructions say the opposite.

    If you can afford it bring it to a vet, I know I would.

    Another good article: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Rept...d-Permethrins/
  • 11-29-2016, 02:34 PM
    Russdent
    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.
  • 11-29-2016, 03:44 PM
    Mangiapane85
    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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 11-29-2016, 04:19 PM
    Yzmasmom
    Agreed. If he seems to be improving, just keep an eye. If it changes and he gets lethargic again, take him in.
  • 11-29-2016, 04:34 PM
    Russdent
    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.
  • 11-29-2016, 05:11 PM
    Albert Clark
    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..
  • 11-30-2016, 04:32 AM
    Russdent
    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
  • 11-30-2016, 05:03 AM
    KMG
    That's great news.

    I don't know that I would shy away from the directions. I do know I would only lightly spray the snake tough. Mites are tough little buggers and the ones on the snake need to die.

    When I ordered my three younger Bloods they arrived with mites. I was not pleased. I used Reptile Spray. It was a great product that you sprayed on the snakes. It worked wonderfully for me but of course you being across the pond you probably cant get it.

    Im glad your snake ate and seems back to normal.
  • 12-02-2016, 07:18 AM
    Russdent
    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.


  • 12-02-2016, 07:57 AM
    cchardwick
    I fought mites for over a month awhile back when I was totally infested. Anything similar to Provent-a-mite really scares me as some have lost snakes from it. I used Natural Chemistry Reptile Spray directly on the snakes and on the tubs and replaced paper towels every day, still almost lost one snake to either the mites or the treatments. I thought I licked it after a week or so and they came back, better keep a close eye on it! I found that if I have a snake that's not doing well from the mites or the treatment it's best to do a full tub / cage cleaning with mild detergent like dish soap, replace the substrate, and then soak the snake in 95F water for several minutes.
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