Deal or No Deal?

[RR - Mackenzie]

This depends on you, but I would definitely take them, a great price.

You can easily get rid of mites with a nice scrub down to the age, and there are some products you can use to get rid of the mites on the snake (Prevent-A-Mite comes to mind), and a month is not very long for a ball python to go off feed. There are plenty of tricks you can use to get him to eat again.

I agree, you can't save them all, but I would try to save the ones that you can.

[johnsonw84]

While that is a great price think about the stress a non feeding animal may have on you or your wallet. The problems that both animals could have could require a Vet visit and could also be quite costly. I would say tread softly and run away. A discounted price now could be a extreme expense down the line.

I completely agree with tim on this, although i can understand trying to save them, but what happens if in trying to save those two you lose your whole collection, bottomline though if you trust your quarintine and can afford to take them straight to the vet then maybe but still personally i wouldnt want too knowing that your putting you whole collection at risk.

[Gloryhound]

Couple of questions before I would make a decision.

#1 How many snakes do you (or hypothetically myself) already care for?

#2 How severe is the mite infestation?

#3 What type of Quarantine are you able to establish? (If at all possible seperate buildings would be great, but while snake mites can not host on humans, they can travel on you, your dog, your cat, ... and lay eggs in your cloths!)

#4 Do you have the $260 to go to vegas and loose? (Could pay off in long run, but it could become expensive as all get out in the long run as well.)

#5 Do you have the time? (Had a light infestation of mites once. Spent on average 4 hours a day cleaning for the first week because I am super picky then every Saturday was spent cleaning the snake room top to bottom for about 2 months until I was sure no mites or larvas still remained!)

#6 Can you afford vet bills and do you have a reptile vet available?

Every time you buy a new reptile and bring it home you are taking a risk that you have to weigh into your equation. Honestly you can go to a reptile show and carry mites home by handling a mite infested animal. Here you know some of the issues and know you are going to have to deal with them. The unknowns are present with any animal you bring home, just in this case a slightly increased possibility of an unknown is present!

[EmberBall]

If you are going to breed these animals, and I do not know for sure if you are, then you are telling everyone here, who potentially could be a customer down the line, that you are willing to purchase sick animals for a less than market price. If you want to use the I just want to save them line, then take your friend over a can or mite spray, and kick him or her in the @$$, and tell them to take care of the snakes or give them to you. Buying sick animals is probably going to cost you down the line. Mites carry disease.

Dave

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

You do know that mites can spread parasites as well right? If you do get them please quaratine them for many months in a seperate room. Treat the mites and then give them both at least 3 doses of flagyl and do not turn around and sell them for a higher price. I wouldnt get them if it were me but the choice is yours.

[raighe]

If you are going to breed these animals, and I do not know for sure if you are, then you are telling everyone here, who potentially could be a customer down the line, that you are willing to purchase sick animals for a less than market price. If you want to use the I just want to save them line, then take your friend over a can or mite spray, and kick him or her in the @$$, and tell them to take care of the snakes or give them to you. Buying sick animals is probably going to cost you down the line. Mites carry disease.

Dave

I am not a breeder nor do I sell snakes. This is BP.net not Fauna or Kingsnake. I'm here seeking the advice of individuals that have more knowledge and experience than me, not make a sale. But at the same time I would not consider these animals to be inferior to another snake just because they had mites at one point. Many large and small breeders have had to deal with mites in their collection. These animals did originate from a very reputable breeder and were mite free when first purchased by the current owner. The snakes don't seem to be "sick" or "diseased" they have mites. I was also told the female is now in blue so her going into shed could be the reason for her not feeding. I'm leaning into getting them, I told the owner to treat his enclosures . Once the girl completes her shed I'll take it from there.

[akaangela]

If you are able to quarantine them to be sure they don't spread any nasties they have, then I would get them. Mites are not that hard to kill and the eating well like the others said one month not eating is not that long. Keep them in QT for a long time and make sure they are 100% healthy. Also be aware there is always a chance of bringing some things really nasty with each new snake. It is up to you to decide if you can afford (in more ways than just the purchase price) to take them on

In short, I would but I am always a sucker for snakes in need.

[nicktreb]

im all about saving balls from bad hands and bad husbandry. You should help them out!

I agree, save them!

[A.VinczeBPs]

The price may seem good, but it's not a deal I'd bite.

I'd look at it like this:
-You know they have mites so you have to buy PAM to kill them in both the quarentine and treat your other collection (provention) so price + PAM cans
-Mites can carry other nasties, so even after treating the mites I'd go for a vet visit. A consultation to my vet it $40, so original price + $40.
-To help with anything else will cost even more, anywhere from $80-200 or more. So Price + bills

Now imagine they die, you lost anywhere from $260-600 easy. And what if they pass something else to your other snakes? It's not hard to slip on the quarantine procedures.

You could also gain mind you, but it's a big risk. For me to even consider it, they're have to be rescues, meaning for free, so I can spend that $260 on bills instead of paying that at the start.

If you're willing to take the risk, then feel free. Once they're healthy again, update us with some pics.

[saskia]

Never!!!! You will risk getting your own snakes sick.
Stay away from them!!