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View Full Version : Just a friendly warning for anyone who uses oil to treat mites.


Tsubaki
09-28-14, 06:44 AM
A few years ago someone i know used oil to treat mites on his snake, which was a popular and 'natural' thing to do around here at the time. Not meaning to say anything bad about this method, and it's not something common (only heard about it happening 1 other time). Still wanted to give a heads up.

He treated the animal with oil, overnight it went into shed (The signs of going into shed was really easy to miss on this anery). It could not get the skin off, so he rinsed the snake and gave it time to shed. It did not continue its shed, instead it started a new one. The owner could not get the snake to shed its skin not even with soaking, and by the time he called me the layer of shed was so thick the boa could barely move. I used some moisturizers, and then let it soak for a long time. In this video you can see it starting to move a bit more natural again (Even though still impaired)


View My Video (http://nl.tinypic.com/m/i26ao0/2)


The shed eventually came off with a lot of patience, careful assistance, hours of soaking and every trick in the book. The shed consisted out of at-least 3 layers of skin (As far as i could peel it apart). It was as thick as construction paper and felt more like a piece of leather than a shed skin. As you can see on the picture, it wasn't even really see-through anymore.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj100/Senna-Ichurin/IMG_0089_zps864fe221.jpg


So anyone planning to use oil, if the animal looks like its planning to shed its wise to wait. And if it does happen, don't hesitate helping.

shaunyboy
09-28-14, 12:07 PM
great informative thread mate


i have never been a fan of using oil on a snake,and would never reccomend it



cheers shaun

jpsteele80
09-30-14, 01:54 PM
never knew that but thanks for the heads up

millertime89
09-30-14, 02:36 PM
This is why the instructions always now include to rinse the animal using plain old dish soap. I've never been a fan of this method either personally.

Tsubaki
10-01-14, 06:11 PM
You and me both, that it's 'natural' doesn't mean it's good.