Is this considered dehydration? Poor husbandry? Etc?

[Lady Python]

Watch the raised scales as that can be a sign of mites. When a snake has mites these nasty little horrors go under the scales and raise them. If he is on Aspen, seeing mites would be quite difficult that's why I have all my snakes (except my Pueblan Milksnake who's on Aspen) on white kitchen paper towel. Anything nasty can be spotted immediately. If he does have mites, then they can lead to the snake being anaemic because they suck the snake's blood. It would also make him very uncomfortable. Mites are about the size of a full stop, about 3 times the size after they've had a feed of the snake's blood. Easily dealt with especially in the USA as you can get Provent-a-Mite. We can't get that here in the UK (yet).


Taking him to the vet is the best way and I hope he gets healthy soon which I'm sure he will with such a caring new owner.

[Rakshasi]

Lady Python -
I was worried I'd hear he may have mites. I've been taking as many precautions as possible to avoid spreading them to the rest of my collection. I have not actually SEEN them, but the raised scales are definitely keeping me on my toes. How could I know for sure if he has mites? Should I put him on paper towels instead? If he has them, will they show up on me if I handle him?

I am going to check my local pet store to see if they have Provent-a-Mite...could I use it just as a precaution thing? Or is it a product that is STRICTLY for herps known to have mites? I was thinking, since I have no idea how to tell for sure if he has anything, I could go ahead and switch him to paper towels and use the PaM and I'd know for sure than, as I would see any dead mites, right?

We still have a few days before the vet appointment. I'm not sure if I should try treating for mites, or just wait until the appointment.

[JimiSnakes]

ProventAMite can be used as a precautionary method, I do it. If you look around their necks and face, this is were mites seem to hang out the most. Paper towels are the easiest method for finding and concealing mites. The little buggers stick out the most on them. Raised scales is pretty common with underfed and dehydrated boas. Don't sweat it unless it looks swollen and/or red and irritated around the raised scales. I wouldn't really worry till after he/she sheds for ya.