Ball Python Mineral Oil Treatment

mrzthai · 06-18-16, 07:04 PM

Hello Everyone,

I have a bit of a problem with my Ball Python. She is about two years old and in great health. However, I noticed that the top of her head and a few places along her back directly on the top, the scales looked dry without that nice shiny appearance. I thought it might be a good idea to apply a little mineral oil on the top of her head and down along her spine. I thought the oil wound absorb in and give those scales their healthy shiny look again and hold the the moisture in.

The next morning, I realized that was not a good thing as I saw individual scales all over the cage. I am very worried and hope to get some information here as to why this happen, what to do about it and if there will be any permeant damage. Please help if you can. Thanks!

Zelg · 06-20-16, 02:06 PM

I have no idea but people will ask for pics of the problem areas...so....i ask you for pics. Pls

Albert Clark · 06-20-16, 03:06 PM

I think that it may just be coincidental that the scales were off the next day. Mineral oil is a pretty benign application. However, why don't you consider raising the humidity as a alternative? What are the temps and humidity numbers that you keep the python at ? Are you regulating the heat source with a thermostat? Maybe the animal is about to shed.

pitontheprowl · 06-22-16, 04:41 AM

Mineral oil will cause the scales to slough off. Probably one of the worst thing you can put on your snake.
A shed or two should fix the problem.
Snakes are not cars, they don't need to be polished.

**Andy_G** · 06-22-16, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitontheprowl

Mineral oil will cause the scales to slough off. Probably one of the worst thing you can put on your snake.
A shed or two should fix the problem.
Snakes are not cars, they don't need to be polished.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

bigsnakegirl785 · 06-22-16, 06:35 PM

Yup it's well known that mineral oil will slough snake scales off.

You don't need to put any sort of chemicals, oils, lotions, baths, nothing on your snake's skin. All you need is high enough humidity, that will solve any problems concerned with dryness.

macandchz · 06-23-16, 08:03 AM

dear mrzthai- i will admit i spritz mac with repti shedding aid before shed time but it has glycerin in it not mineral oil. never had any problem.

mrzthai · 06-24-16, 07:08 AM

Thanks to all of you that posted a helpful and courteous reply. I was hoping someone might know the actual reason behind this. I was also worried, at the time, if there would be any long term damage, but I now I'm pretty certain there will not.

I read that people have used mineral oil and olive oil on snakes for mites. It seemed safe enough, especially olive oil. In the past I applied olive oil to another ball python that I had bought because it came with a couple mites and was trying to get them all off and see how many there were. I found that idea on YouTube as a way to dislodge the ones that are currently on the snake, so I gave it a try and there was no problem for the snake. In fact he looked really good afterwards, nice and shiny and glossy. However, because of the other problem with mineral oil, I don't think I'll do that again either.

Anyway, the snake with the mineral oil issue is fine now. I let her take a soak in water and rinsed her off a couple days after the incident, cleaned out her entire cage and she had no more loss of scales. In fact, she looks no different even with no shed yet.

To "pitontheprowl", I would like to say, people are not cars either, but we use oils and lotions on our skin, and in fact, they are very helpful. There has to be some scientific reason for the snake to have a reaction to the mineral oil but not olive oil. The reason isn't that it is not a car. Comments like that are not helpful so please keep them to yourself.

**Andy_G** · 06-24-16, 08:34 AM

Mineral oil and olive oil are definitely oldschool and outdated remedies for mite treatment, partly because of the negative or undesirable effects that can be (but rarely are) caused. Anything that has oil applied to it will look gloss and shiny but that's really just because of the oil. I would recommend a simple soak in water instead of using any oils whatsoever because it will drown the mites as well. Oil nor water will kill the eggs though, so it is not an efficient or complete treatments for mites. Comparing humans and the products we use on our skin to snakes is apples and oranges as the physiological differences between the two are vast...and one could argue that the reason people want to use (not need to use)moisturizers for their skin is because of all the harsh chemicals and artificial crap we use to keep ourselves clean or attractive looking. I am glad that your snake will be ok, though. Stick to water in the future. I hate when people waste their money on anything else.

bigsnakegirl785 · 06-24-16, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrzthai

Thanks to all of you that posted a helpful and courteous reply. I was hoping someone might know the actual reason behind this. I was also worried, at the time, if there would be any long term damage, but I now I'm pretty certain there will not.

I read that people have used mineral oil and olive oil on snakes for mites. It seemed safe enough, especially olive oil. In the past I applied olive oil to another ball python that I had bought because it came with a couple mites and was trying to get them all off and see how many there were. I found that idea on YouTube as a way to dislodge the ones that are currently on the snake, so I gave it a try and there was no problem for the snake. In fact he looked really good afterwards, nice and shiny and glossy. However, because of the other problem with mineral oil, I don't think I'll do that again either.

Anyway, the snake with the mineral oil issue is fine now. I let her take a soak in water and rinsed her off a couple days after the incident, cleaned out her entire cage and she had no more loss of scales. In fact, she looks no different even with no shed yet.

To "pitontheprowl", I would like to say, people are not cars either, but we use oils and lotions on our skin, and in fact, they are very helpful. There has to be some scientific reason for the snake to have a reaction to the mineral oil but not olive oil. The reason isn't that it is not a car. Comments like that are not helpful so please keep them to yourself.

We produce oils on top of our skin, and treatments like oils or lotions can help to balance those levels.

Snakes produce oils under the top of their skin, so applying stuff on top of it can be detrimental to the health of their skin.

Usually, reactions like the sloughing of scales your ball python had happen after extended use of oils, so that's why they're normally fine. Olive oil will have the exact same reaction as mineral oil if used excessively.

pitontheprowl · 06-25-16, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrzthai

To "pitontheprowl", I would like to say, people are not cars either, but we use oils and lotions on our skin, and in fact, they are very helpful. There has to be some scientific reason for the snake to have a reaction to the mineral oil but not olive oil. The reason isn't that it is not a car. Comments like that are not helpful so please keep them to yourself.

LMIAO!!!
Please research before using things on your animals.

My response is EXACTLY an answer to your comment:

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrzthai

I thought the oil wound absorb in and give those scales their healthy shiny look again and hold the the moisture in.

As far as lotions an chemicals we put on our skin. Not all are as healthy as we may want to believe but to each his own.

I you are offended I'm sorry I don't ride a unicorn and have rainbows shooting out of my butt. Honestly isn't always politically correct or worrying about someones feelings.....