View Full Version : "Died because of mites."
Kettennatter
10-13-12, 02:01 PM
I talked to somebody at the local pet shop today who claimed that her snake "died of mites" five days after she bought it. (It was a hog island, maybe 2 ft. in length.) I questioned her story a little bit, because I have never heard a snake dying because of mites, unless it was completely neglected, and was wondering what else could have been wrong.
It left me a little concerned, because I have gotten my BCI from the same breeder. (She did have mites shortly after I got her, but I've treated her and she has been fine ever since.)
I have to admit that the story creeped me out a little bit.
infernalis
10-13-12, 02:24 PM
the only way mites are lethal is when the numbers are so high they bleed out the snake.
That would literally take so many mites that you could no longer see the snake under them.
This is like saying "fleas killed my dog"
Now TICKS on the other hand..
BarelyBreathing
10-13-12, 02:25 PM
I have unfortunately heard of and even personally experienced snakes dying from mites. I had a rescued milk and rat snake come in completely infested. Their skin was loose, they had open sores. The rat didn't make it through the first night with me. The milk recovered and was adopted out.
infernalis
10-13-12, 02:27 PM
I have unfortunately heard of and even personally experienced snakes dying from mites. I had a rescued milk and rat snake come in completely infested. Their skin was loose, they had open sores. The rat didn't make it through the first night with me. The milk recovered and was adopted out.
Sounds well beyond "5 days after purchase" correct?
one of my friends had his entire collection (8) wiped out by mites because he couldn't get PAM fast enough, and no where close sells any mite killer. He said it happened a lot faster than he expected it to
BarelyBreathing
10-13-12, 02:31 PM
Sounds well beyond "5 days after purchase" correct?
Well technically it wasn't 24 hours. But yeah, I get what you're saying. The guy who turned them into the rescue said his roommate left them months (two I think?) ago and he had just discovered them.
But at the same time, yes, mites can work quite quickly. However, I don't believe that was the case of these two snakes.
infernalis
10-13-12, 02:45 PM
There are measures that can be taken to slow progres while waiting for PAM.
Not that I advocate it, but I have read hundreds of posts from people who have used lice killer.
A cotton pad dampened in vegetable oil can be used to wipe off the snake, etc.
A snake dying from mites should really read: a snake dying from neglect.
infernalis
10-13-12, 03:21 PM
A snake dying from mites should really read: a snake dying from neglect.
Precisely the point I was trying to make.
BarelyBreathing
10-13-12, 04:07 PM
A snake dying from mites should really read: a snake dying from neglect.
Yes, I agree.
millertime89
10-13-12, 04:21 PM
There are measures that can be taken to slow progres while waiting for PAM.
Not that I advocate it, but I have read hundreds of posts from people who have used lice killer.
A cotton pad dampened in vegetable oil can be used to wipe off the snake, etc.
I know quite a few people personally that refuse to use PAM and instead use NIX. They claim to have heard stories of snakes dying from PAM but the key is no snake should die from it when properly used.
rmfsnakes32
10-13-12, 04:26 PM
That is sad I had a mild case of mites cleared up right away with treatment
Kettennatter
10-13-12, 04:37 PM
The sad thing is: The person was making the statement in a pet shop that sells mite treatment for snakes. The breeder that sells the snake would have been able to provide mite treatment.
Even if a snake has mites, a I would expect a healthy boa to bathe in the water bowl and somewhat limit the number of mites by drowning what it can.
I suspect some other type of neglect going on in parallel.
Gregg M
10-14-12, 12:27 PM
While it is not common, mites can cause death. It would have to be a substantial infestation that goes on for a long period of time. I do not see how a mite infestation can get to that point in responsible hands though. In the past, I have never used any chemicals to treat for mites. If I ever got a snake in that had them, I would give the snake a bath in water and mineral oil. The oil gets into the book lungs of the mites and kills them pretty fast. There is always something you can do even if you do not have access to the chemicals right away.
These days, we use black knight. Any new snake we bring in gets a fog treatment just in case. You just put the snake in a plastic bin with a lid, spray the black knight in the bin with the snake, and let it sit for a few minutes. I seriusly can not remember the last time I have seen even a single mite in my collection.
Wildside
10-14-12, 02:05 PM
one of my friends had his entire collection (8) wiped out by mites because he couldn't get PAM fast enough, and no where close sells any mite killer. He said it happened a lot faster than he expected it to
This guy should not have had a collection. Mites do not wipe out whole collections unless he was absolutely not paying attention for a loooong period of time. Were they hots or something?
This guy should not have had a collection. Mites do not wipe out whole collections unless he was absolutely not paying attention for a loooong period of time. Were they hots or something?
nope, just balls. he's not the brightest crayon in the box, but now he helps out his friend who's snakes keep getting mites. I think he didn't really notice because they were in a rack...
Kettennatter
10-14-12, 03:22 PM
nope, just balls. he's not the brightest crayon in the box, but now he helps out his friend who's snakes keep getting mites. I think he didn't really notice because they were in a rack...
Hmmm, how often did he look at them? Did they have a water dish to soak in? Poor things.
I have no idea, honestly =/ they always have a water dish, his rack set up was nice, i just wonder if he didn't check on them too often
moshirimon
10-14-12, 06:31 PM
im pretty sure a snake would start looking really ugly and obviousley sick before it would die from mites. i'm guessing they died from another "bug" or parasite which kills quicker.
or he could have just barely cared for them, but i doubt it as you said his racks wewre set up nice.
Wildside
10-15-12, 03:26 PM
im pretty sure a snake would start looking really ugly and obviousley sick before it would die from mites. i'm guessing they died from another "bug" or parasite which kills quicker.
or he could have just barely cared for them, but i doubt it as you said his racks wewre set up nice.
You can have nice cages and still barely care for your animals. Think Petco :sad:
Anyway there are so many signs a snake is having problems before dying of mites. Bad sheds, food refusal, crankiness, and of course the actual bugs, all of which are quite noticeable loooong before death sets in for one snake let alone a whole collection. As for not being the brightest crayon in the box, I'd say he's probably the one who got pitched at the crayola factory following a machine malfunction. I'm really afraid for the guy he is "helping" now.
MoreliAddict
10-15-12, 03:30 PM
These days, we use black knight. Any new snake we bring in gets a fog treatment just in case. You just put the snake in a plastic bin with a lid, spray the black knight in the bin with the snake, and let it sit for a few minutes. I seriusly can not remember the last time I have seen even a single mite in my collection.
Awesome tip. Thanks
You can have nice cages and still barely care for your animals. Think Petco :sad:
Anyway there are so many signs a snake is having problems before dying of mites. Bad sheds, food refusal, crankiness, and of course the actual bugs, all of which are quite noticeable loooong before death sets in for one snake let alone a whole collection. As for not being the brightest crayon in the box, I'd say he's probably the one who got pitched at the crayola factory following a machine malfunction. I'm really afraid for the guy he is "helping" now.
yeah. i dunno. everyone does make mistakes, though...I've never had mites. ever.and i like it that way.
marvelfreak
10-15-12, 03:58 PM
While it is not common, mites can cause death. It would have to be a substantial infestation that goes on for a long period of time. I do not see how a mite infestation can get to that point in responsible hands though. In the past, I have never used any chemicals to treat for mites. If I ever got a snake in that had them, I would give the snake a bath in water and mineral oil. The oil gets into the book lungs of the mites and kills them pretty fast. There is always something you can do even if you do not have access to the chemicals right away.
These days, we use black knight. Any new snake we bring in gets a fog treatment just in case. You just put the snake in a plastic bin with a lid, spray the black knight in the bin with the snake, and let it sit for a few minutes. I seriusly can not remember the last time I have seen even a single mite in my collection.
I just had to do these for my new Argentina Boa. Every place was out of PAM. It works fast and does the job. Thank god i quarantine her when i got her in my old snake room. Pissed me off i have her for a month before i seen a single one.
Wildside
10-15-12, 05:14 PM
I just had to do these for my new Argentina Boa. Every place was out of PAM. It works fast and does the job. Thank god i quarantine her when i got her in my old snake room. Pissed me off i have her for a month before i seen a single one.
They would be hard to see on her. You have to look closely and watch the eye and pit areas.
Kavyrie
10-15-12, 08:18 PM
How much mineral oil do you put in the bath?
marvelfreak
10-16-12, 08:12 AM
While it is not common, mites can cause death. It would have to be a substantial infestation that goes on for a long period of time. I do not see how a mite infestation can get to that point in responsible hands though. In the past, I have never used any chemicals to treat for mites. If I ever got a snake in that had them, I would give the snake a bath in water and mineral oil. The oil gets into the book lungs of the mites and kills them pretty fast. There is always something you can do even if you do not have access to the chemicals right away.
These days, we use black knight. Any new snake we bring in gets a fog treatment just in case. You just put the snake in a plastic bin with a lid, spray the black knight in the bin with the snake, and let it sit for a few minutes. I seriusly can not remember the last time I have seen even a single mite in my collection.
What kind of Black Knight the bedding or roach spray. and how long do you leave them in the tub? Like a couple minutes or five or more?
Philmul
10-17-12, 04:27 AM
Where do you get treatment from? My snakes don't have mites but just wondered if they ever got them would treatment from reptile stores be good enough or do I need to take them to the vet which is 40 miles away.
Where do you get treatment from? My snakes don't have mites but just wondered if they ever got them would treatment from reptile stores be good enough or do I need to take them to the vet which is 40 miles away.
No need to go to the vets there are a few off the shelf treatments you can get. The one I used recently was callingtons which is safe to spray with the snake in the enclosure, you just have to remove the water for 24 hours. I did a complete clean down and then sprayed but you are meant to be able to leave everything in and treat, I just didn't want to risk it. Another is ardap which you remove the snake, clean down the enclosure and then spray and you have to leave it for a while until all of the fumes have gone before you put snakey back in and it is meant to be potent stuff. Prevent a mite is meant to be good but it is not easy to get hold of over here. There are a few other products that you can use or some people just use mineral oil on the snake and keep cleaning the enclosure but this can take a while I believe.
Lankyrob
10-17-12, 01:26 PM
You can buy Provent a Mite on Ebay, not cheap but i keep a couple of cans "just in case" :)
Philmul
10-18-12, 03:12 AM
Cheers guys. If your snake haven't got mites. Is there anyway they can get them if you don't introduce any new snakes. Would a dirty viv do it?
infernalis
10-18-12, 03:42 AM
Cheers guys. If your snake haven't got mites. Is there anyway they can get them if you don't introduce any new snakes. Would a dirty viv do it?
Absolutely not. They are a contagious parasite, passed from host to host.
shaunyboy
10-18-12, 04:35 AM
You can buy Provent a Mite on Ebay, not cheap but i keep a couple of cans "just in case" :)
i got my supply of prevent a mite back in 2008 from a shop in england,posted to my house,i keep a can of provent a mite at all times,i use it for my quarantine tanks
its the ONLY mite treatment i use
cheers shaun
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