| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 13:16:04
Signs of Mites
Black specs in the water bowl. One of a snake's natural defences against mites is to try to drown them, so you may find them in their water bowl:
Your snake may also become dehydrated and their skin and eye condition may deteriorate:
The most obvious sign though is obviously finding them under the scales, usually on the belly:
Treatment by Frontline of Snake
Bought from my vets, Frontline spray for cats:
Spray 2 or 3 times onto a piece of Kitchen towel and wipe the snake down a few times from neck to tail, making sure to avoid the head.
Take the snake out of the viv and into a RUB, using plain white kitchen towel as substrate so that you can see any mites. Use disposable cardboard hides in the RUB and a small waterbowl, big enough to drink from, but not big enough for the snake to bathe in.
Change substrate and hide regularly, every 2 to 3 days or as you see mites. Hides made from cut up cereal boxes or such like are ideal as cheap and easy to get hold of.
2 to 3 days after the Frontline application, bathe the snake in a bath (washing up bowl) as deep as the snake and at the temperature of the hot end of the viv (30-35C) with a few tablespoons of olive oil in. Give the bath a swirl to mix prior to introducing the snake. Leave the snake in for 15 - 20 mins, the oil will help suffocate the mites. Dry with kitchen towel, the snake will still be oily. Repeat this every 2 to 3 days.
2 weeks after the initial Frontline treatment, repeat application via kitchen towel to the snake.
Treatment by Frontline of Vivarium
When the snake has been removed from the viv (the fumes are very toxic and can take several days to dissipate - its easier to remove the snake for the entire duration) remove and dispose of all furniture that cannot be baked or sprayed with Frontline.
Anything that can be baked should be done so for at least an hour at at least 160C. Other furniture (such as resin hides and water bowls) can be sprayed with frontline at the same time as the viv.
Spray the viv thoroughly with Frontline on all surfaces. Place kitchen towel on the bottom of the viv so that you can check for signs of mites, close the doors to keep the fumes in and leave.
Repeat this process 2 weeks later.
Returning Snake to Vivarium
2 weeks after the second treatment (4 weeks in total), thoroughly check the viv and snake for mites, there should be none and the snake can be returned to the viv. If there are any signs of mites repeat the processes above for another 2 weeks.
Your snake is unlikely to want to eat during this time. |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sandi |
Posted - 22/02/2011 : 20:42:21
Just found this, good info. Unfortunately i am about to put it into action.
Do you know if its safe to spray house with acclaim flea spray? I have some and thought it might form a barrier between the rooms that my 2 snakes occupy. Totaly paranoid about cross contamination. |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 12:57:09
Frontline online: http://www.leguidesante.co.uk/3A6/purchase/frontline-external-spray-application-mechanical-pump-spray-100ml/ |
| wolfspirit |
Posted - 18/05/2009 : 11:42:12
Good post BE  |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 18/05/2009 : 10:49:10
For the same reason you don't put Frontline on their head, it can be highly toxic if injested. So if the snake bathed in the water whilst covered in Frontline and then drank the water you could have problems. |
| sexychef |
Posted - 18/05/2009 : 08:19:49
BE why do you use a water bowl the snake cant bathe in while in the RUB? |
| lee2308 |
Posted - 18/05/2009 : 00:43:35
very good step through guide,hope i never need it. |
| dazb |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 15:46:24
good sticky piers... |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 15:41:52
Its not that cheap when you add the £6.50 p&p. |
| Gingerpony |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 15:33:18
sounds great BE
i can't buy Frontline spray that cheap at work! online places can offer a better price as they buy in bulk to keep their own costs down and it's on GSL (General Sales List) rather than POM (Prescription Only Medication) so you don't need to get it from a vet |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 14:35:34
£20 from vets or cheaper online, such as: http://www.leguidesante.co.uk/3A6/purchase/external-spray-application-mechanical-pump-spray-100ml/ |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 14:31:01
Out of intrest how much did the frontline cost you? |
| Blackecho |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 14:28:30
Cheers Matty. |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 17/05/2009 : 13:34:23
Nice one Piers. |
