Emergency, Please Help.

[ReptileJenna]

Received three adult Ball Pythons today from a breeder. One has Mites and I'm thinking a respiratory infections, because I hear her wheezing. I'm guessing the others are sick too. I'm going to start cleaning them with mite killer.

What do I do? I have a huge collection in my temp controlled room and I'm worried of everything spreading.

I've just dosed the first one with Mite-Killer and really washed her down with it. She is in my bathtub drying with it on her. I also have noticed her sheddings are stuck to her nose. Should I remove their aspen bedding and put down newspaper? Also, should I put them in another room? I'm worried that it is to cold in the other rooms.

Also, can I catch the mites? I'm so worried about that.

Thanks for reading my SOS message.

[liv]

Get them into quarantine!!!!!! It can and will spread through your entire collection. Put them on newspaper or papertowel and disinfect there entire enclosure.

You can't catch mites, but don't let all your other reptiles! I had them on a corn once a few years ago, and it was awful.

[ReptileJenna]

Thanks, I'm already starting to move them. Anymore advice? How bad is this going to be for me?

My biggest girl is wheezing really loudly. I can hear from my bedroom and she is in my bathroom. Also, it is okay that she doesn't have a water bowl, right? I wanted to ask this, and I'm pretty sure it is okay, but I have heard some people say that it is a must

[BallsUnlimited]

like liv said get them on paper towel or newspaper an get yourself a can of provent a mite aka PAM an that will take care of the mites. you can spray your tubs\racks down an will prob never have to deal with mites again(long as you use it as a preventive measure as well). Now if the snakes are weezing like you say i would bring them to a local reptile vet an get them cultured so they can be put on the proper medication. if you can quarantine them some place else other than your reptile room.

[WarriorPrincess90]

You need to get all of them to the vet. If one has an RI, there is a chance that all three of them do. They need to be in a room entirely separate from your other reptiles with adequate heat. 78 cold side, at least 90 hot side, and an ambient temp of no less than 80. Especially with respiratory infections! For that, you will need antibiotic injections from your vet.

You cannot catch mites, but they will spread easily to your other reptiles. You need to sterilize everything they touched in your reptile room, and if possible, get a can of Provent-A-Mite in the mail and on it's way to you. If you get that, you will need to follow the directions to the letter. Others can provide more information on the topic of treating mites with and without PAM. Thankfully, I have never had to do it. I understand it is awful though, and takes quite some time to eradicate.

Anyway, your new three need to be quarantined for at LEAST a few months. Maybe longer given the problems they came with. They need to be in perfect health before you reintroduce them to your collection. You will need to keep an eye on your other animals to make sure they don't get mites or come down with an RI after having them in the same room. You will also need to sterilize YOURSELF after doing ANYTHING with the sick animals. Anything you need to do with them, you should do after you care for the rest of your reptiles and should not go back into that room until after you have showered...just to be safe. TAKE THEM TO A VET ASAP! That is the most important thing and the best advice I can offer.

EDIT: If you are unable to do any of this for any reason, or are unable to offer them proper heat, you should take them back to the breeder and ask for your money back. S/He never should have offered them to you in that condition and should take them back.

[domenge]

Who was the breeder?

[RobNJ]

Received three adult Ball Pythons today from a breeder.

I know many may disagree, but I would personally contact the breeder, who should have some sort of return policy, and send them right back. You should not have to deal with issues that shouldn't be yours in the first place, and the option of returning them should be available to you and maybe one you ought to really consider.

That being said, if you cannot return them, or now feel compelled to bring them back to health, quarantine them properly...as far from your main collection as possible. Apply your mite treatments, and give them temps a couple degrees higher than normal. Then get them to a vet ASAP, like tomorrow.

[coolballsdave]

It will be a miracle if those mites haven't spread already. I agree that they should be sent back. What a bummer!!!

[heathers*bps]

Always, always, ALWAYS quarantine any new animals before you bring them into your collection!! You should always have a place, away from your collection, that should be used for proper quarantine practices.

I would order a can of provent a mite ASAP, call an experienced herp vet in the morning, and get those 3 snakes away from your others. You also should notify the breeder on the situation, as he/she should give you a refund or pay for the vet bills.

Who was the breeder you got them from, btw?

[WarriorPrincess90]

Also, it is okay that she doesn't have a water bowl, right? I wanted to ask this, and I'm pretty sure it is okay, but I have heard some people say that it is a must

Um...all animals need clean water available to them at all times. Unless you have just treated the enclosure and need to keep it out for 24 hours, I think you should have a water bowl in there with her. She'll need to stay hydrated. What are you using to treat the mites?