Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am takin in a blood python and ball python both who are young and very thin and have mites. i asked for help on blood forum and evry one there were nothin but jerks about it being very imature. they bother seem to have very to little energy and looks like they have not eaten in a long time any input please help i have gotten problem feeding balls to at before but nothing this bad. also the bloods back half seems very week and limp

The term "rescue" usually implies that the animals are in need of medical attention. What state are you living in? Someone can recommend a good vet for you. If you aren't planning on taking the animal to the vet, then I can see why people were laughing at you.

There are several good care sheets on mites. Many of the large breeders have such pages. Or do a search on here.

Yeah, those snakes def. should be taken to the vet if they're in rough shape. And not just any vet; research and make sure to find one that either specializes in herps or is strongly recommended as a herp vet. Sounds like they are dehydrated; my friend had one that was like that; wrinkly, baggy skin.. it ended up dying thouhg she even managed to get it to take a few mouse fuzzies willingly; skipping the vet check on a sick animal is never wise.
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2.3 Ball Pythons
1.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.1 albino Cranwell's horned frog
1.1 breeding Clawed frogs
1.0 black cat
0.2 paint mares, 1.1 paint foals
Also have fancy goldfish, african cichlids, and rats.

a herp vet. i found him from the vet finder thing i found the site from reptiles magazine and he is registered in there i took one of my snakes to him and he was good with it also he is my buddies iguanna vet and everyting has been a ok so far.

first get rid of the mites. You can purchase some provent-a-mite (PAM) it works very well, thats where I get it although I'm sure you can find it elsewhere. I ordered mine from MG Repiles, www.mgreptiles.com. Next you will need to take the snakes in for a check up. If they are not eating you probably wont get a stool sample to be tested so I would ask the vet for some panacur to treat the snakes for the most common parasites. They are most likely very stressed so taking care of the mites and any parasites is paramount now. Try offering smaller than normal food items. Fuzzy mice or rat pups both live and dead. Fuzzies and rat pups don't run around so they shouldn't spook an already stressed out ball. I have not dealt with bloods so I can't speak on them. Try keeping the ball in a 28 qt sterilite sweater box with a hide box on each end so the stressed snake can hide. Don't handle it if possible, just place the food items near the entrance of wich ever hide box the ball is in and rplace the top. Leave it alone for a few hours and check to see if it has eaten. If you do this with adult mice they could bite the snake so use fuzzies of rat pups. Let me know how this works out.
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2.4 ball pythons
1.1 sand boas
1.2 corn snakes
1.0 southern plains rat
1.1 black rat snakes
1.1 Cali kings
1.0 western hog
1.0 wc eastern garter

Not to sound mean, but I read your other post and it said that the guy wants like $45 for the blood. You should not give him a dime. If he wanted to buy it and then not take care of it you should not give him money to help him out of the situation. If he will give it to you then take it. But whatever you do don't give him any money.

it is also with a ball and the ball looks under weight and not as bad as the blood i know of a reptile vet and plan on taking them there as soon as mites are gone and try to get a meal in them so they are not so stressed and hopefuly get a stool sample. at the time i posted it int he other forum i told them i woulnt have money till i got paid the next week. mites i do know how to get rid of i have had them once before and that was from another pet store saver. thanks for the other help and input that was put i will kepp updates on both. i just dont see why when some one wants help to save a snakes life they make fun. as far as money he is gonna let them sit and die if he dont get anything i got him to agree to $35 for both i would wrather spend some and hope the best than say im not gonna pay and see them die a slow painful hungry death.

There are many ways to get rid of mites. If you have not brought the snakes in yet than you should have little problems. You could get some Reptile Relief spray from most pet stores. I have used it on a hatchling corn and it worked great. I just sprayed the snake and a rag down with the spray then let the snake crawl through a few times. I guess you could just spray down a snake bag with it and put the snake in for a while.

Also DO NOT BRING HOME THE CAGE that the snakes were in. That is where all the eggs will be as well as a bunch more mites. I would start them out in rubbermaid type enclosures in a rack if possible. These are lightweight and easy to clean. You should clean the enclosure completely every day if possible, and retreat the snake a few times as well.

Hi there,

I'd start with treating their enclosures with provent-a-mite. Be sure that you let the spray dry completely before you put them back in their tubs. Make sure the tubs are well ventilated.

I'd also remove any bad shed. If you soak them to do this be sure to be right there - weak snakes can drown. Give them a dose of flagyl and panacure. Repeat doseages according to label instructions.

Offer each of them a small meal (if these animals are sub adults I'd try a hopper mouse) - just one. If they eat on their own, great.

If they do not eat on their own, assist them a very small food item (fuzzy mouse), something that will go down without a big fight.

Now, give them a hide, keep them warm and moist. Make sure they have fresh water and can soak if they want. Offer them another very small meal in a few days. I offer mine food about every three days - after they start gaining strength you can increase the size of the food item a bit.

Once mine start eating I like to "exercise" them for about five minutes a day to help them gain strength.

Do not over feed or over handle!

I hope this helps!

Christy