Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

Does anybody have any experience with the use of Dichlorvos on his or her pregnant boas. Particularly any adverse side effects with the baby-boas?
I have started treating my pregnant boas (and the others) against mite today.... Wondering what will happen to the clutches.

I have used some small pieces of "no-pest strip" to set on the top of the screen top, but it was to get rid of some moths that liked to get into the mulch for some reason...however,there are MUCH safer treatments on the market today....oddly enough, I've never had a problem with mites in many decades....I will say this!,..dichlorvos is a very potent chemical, and I would NOT RECOMMEND using it...especially if she is gravid...It could possibly have ill effects on the young....I've heard of people having bad experiences with dichlorvos.....it's not worth having problems.....I think there's a product called "rid-a-mite" that works well, and there are many other products as too....do a "google-search" on "mite prevention/irradication" and see what "hits" come up......also, go to the specific "Boa" forum at the top of the "main page".........you should be able to get specifics there........good luck,.........................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

I am looking for a paper I read a while back, now buried in a pile on my desk, by a Japanese herpetologist regrading the use of vapona and other organophosphates in the eradication of mites and the negative impact of such. I will post it, if I am able to locate it, but below is what the good Dr. Mader has to say on the topi
However, here's what the good Dr. Douglas Mader, one of the preeminent herpetofauna veterinarians of our time, has to say on the topic:

"There are a number of other mite treatments that have been reported in both the veterinary and herpetological literature. The more common include placing cut pieces of either a dog or cat flea color or insect pest strips inside or on top of the affected reptile's cage. The pieces are left in place for varying lengths of time (depending on where you read the information).

"The active ingredient in these collars and strips is dichlorvos (DDVP, Vapona), an organophosphate. Organophosphates are cholinesterase inhibitors and have the potential for being very toxic. In some cases the presence of these strips can cause the reptile to develop a rapid, progressive paralsysis. However, what commonly occurs is a chronic, insidious deterioration of the animal from the prolonged contact with the poison. This may take months, resulting in the reptile dying and showing no outward signs [thus rarely are such deaths associated, by the owner, with the use of the dichlorvos product]. Even on necropsy there are no obvious lesions related to the organophosphate.

"Although many herpetologists swear by this treatment method, the author has seen far too many deaths resulting from pest strips, and their use is strongly discouraged.

"There is another important medical note regarding pest strips that should be mentioned. Many of these pesticides have been proven to be teratogenic in mammals. A teratogen is anything that causes birth defects. Also, there may be other negative effects on reproduction and fertility that have not been studied. To the author's knowledge, there have been no studies performed to determine if there are any negative effects on reproduction and fertility in reptiles.

"DDT (a chlorinated hydrocarbon) and diazinon 25 E have appeared in past literature as additional treatments. It is now felt that both are too toxic and should not be used now that safer methods are available."

Other signs of organophosphate toxicity include excessive salivation, ataxia (inability to right oneself) and muscle tremors.
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Hello,

Ok, thanks. Where did you find this info from Mader, I have the latest copy of reptile medicine and surgery but cannot find these passages(p730-731). I am looking forward to what the japanese author says.

Review the chapter regarding Ascariasis pp. 341-346...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

You may wish to review the Chemical profile for Dichlorvos:

pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/insect-mite/ddt-famphur/dichlorvos/insect-prof-dichlorvos.html

along with some information pertaining to OP poisoning in humans:

www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic286.htm

I'm still looking for the paper I indicated, large pile on my desk, but I recall some indication Dichlorvos was "accidentally" discovered during the development of a nerve agent for chemical weapons...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947