Garter Snake Forum - View Single Post

Loren · 11-18-2007, 06:41 PM

You might try asking around in your area to see who the reccomended reptile vet is, but most vet clinics will probably look at him. Sometimes the local petstores can at least tell you the name of a popular reptile vet.
On the mites- be prepared to possibly have to completely empty the tank to rid the mites. Once they have spread through all that bedding, they will be really hard to get rid of. I like to put reptiles in the most basic setup possible while treating them- paper towels or newspaper- diposable water dishes and hideboxes(just use a cardboard box or something). Then I chuck everything and wipe down the whole cage with a mite spray everytime I treat the reptile. I have had good sucess with reptile relief, but I mostly have dealt with lizard mites- not snake mites(different species). I treat every 4-7 days, for at least 3 treatments, if not 4 or 5, then wait for several weeks before putting the cage back to normal, in case they show up again. You will still need to make sure the temps and humidity aare good through all this.
Others have good luck with provent-a-mite - its used in the enclosure, not on the reptile. People always say that it only works right if you follow the directions exactly. I believe a couple freinds of mine have used Hartz 3 in 1 (or 2 in 1- cant remember)cat flee powder in the cages with success. I think vets sometimes use ivermectin(or something spelled like that). Jerry ( Log- on name-Bay Area) might be able to help with the flea powder idea. Others use baby oil or something similar- its supposed to coat the mite so they suffocate- but I'm not sure on that one. Also, a good luke warm water ( 85 degrees?) soaking will help drown alot of the mites that are on the snake.
Keep in mind mites can spread like wildfire- wash up thoroughly between handling any of your animals until you get it handled- (even in between the ones that dont have mites- because they might have them now), and dont let anything from 1 cage contact another. Keep inspecting all of your reptiles on a regular basis.

11-18-2007, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Loren Old and wise snake Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 854 Country:	Re: my new GIANT albino burmese python!!!!! You might try asking around in your area to see who the reccomended reptile vet is, but most vet clinics will probably look at him. Sometimes the local petstores can at least tell you the name of a popular reptile vet. On the mites- be prepared to possibly have to completely empty the tank to rid the mites. Once they have spread through all that bedding, they will be really hard to get rid of. I like to put reptiles in the most basic setup possible while treating them- paper towels or newspaper- diposable water dishes and hideboxes(just use a cardboard box or something). Then I chuck everything and wipe down the whole cage with a mite spray everytime I treat the reptile. I have had good sucess with reptile relief, but I mostly have dealt with lizard mites- not snake mites(different species). I treat every 4-7 days, for at least 3 treatments, if not 4 or 5, then wait for several weeks before putting the cage back to normal, in case they show up again. You will still need to make sure the temps and humidity aare good through all this. Others have good luck with provent-a-mite - its used in the enclosure, not on the reptile. People always say that it only works right if you follow the directions exactly. I believe a couple freinds of mine have used Hartz 3 in 1 (or 2 in 1- cant remember)cat flee powder in the cages with success. I think vets sometimes use ivermectin(or something spelled like that). Jerry ( Log- on name-Bay Area) might be able to help with the flea powder idea. Others use baby oil or something similar- its supposed to coat the mite so they suffocate- but I'm not sure on that one. Also, a good luke warm water ( 85 degrees?) soaking will help drown alot of the mites that are on the snake. Keep in mind mites can spread like wildfire- wash up thoroughly between handling any of your animals until you get it handled- (even in between the ones that dont have mites- because they might have them now), and dont let anything from 1 cage contact another. Keep inspecting all of your reptiles on a regular basis.