Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a boa and would like opinions about his condition. From my description you will probably think this is a rescue but rather it is a boa that I paid $800 for. He arrived with mites. His nasal passage on one side appears to be partially blocked by skin or a scab. I would assume it is skin because the exterior of his nose is not "rubbed" or scarred. To me it appears to be shed skin. One of his eyes appears to have either a narrow scab or shed skin around half of its perimeter. My first question is will mites cause shedding problems that would lead to these conditions? Secondly will soaking the boa for a few hours prior to his shed alleviate these conditions if it is stuck on shed skin? Or is he likely to have wounds in the areas where the skin was built up? I have never had to deal with this type of rehabilitation and would like opinions from those that have dealt with this kind of thing before. Your answers will help me decide whether or not he gets sent back to the seller. Thanks in advance.
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Jared Douglas

Severe mite infestations can certainly cause shedding problems. I would keep him far away from your collection. Soak him, use Provent-A-Mite aggressivley (I would suggest "Black Knight" but there is some kind of production problem preventing it from getting to market). Watch for signs of infestation in the rest of your animals. Use triple antibiotic on his nostril wound a couple of times a day until he sheds it. The other thing I would do is talk to the person who sold it to you about the animal being sold to you in that kind of condition. If you don't like his answer, consider posting a "bad guy report" on the Board of Inquiry so I don't buy an animal from him.

Good Luck, Chris

There is a small chance that the nose passage is plugged by some of the bedding the boa was kept on. I've seen that twice. Especially if it was kept on mulch. It can look similar to the skin scales.

As for the mites, take him to a vet and get the shot. I don't know the name of it, but it works the same as Top Spot for dogs. Two shots 2 weeks apart and NO mites. Period. Much easier, and safer than saturating the poor thing with an insectacide spray. I can call my vet and get the name of it if you wish.

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1.4 Columbians
2.7 Kenyans
0.3 Ball Pythons
1.0 Borneo Blood
0.0.2 Blue Tounged Skinks
3 Dogs
3 Cats
1 Ferret
1 Wife

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Jared Douglas

np
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1.4 Columbians
2.7 Kenyans
0.3 Ball Pythons
1.0 Borneo Blood
0.0.2 Blue Tounged Skinks
3 Dogs
3 Cats
1 Ferret
1 Wife

Sorry this is not the place for that. The seller claimed to be unaware of the situation and has already extended a refund. I would like to keep him if this condition is 100% reversible that is why I posted so that I coudl get some opinions.
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Jared Douglas

800 dollars those mites better be gold plated.

For a full refund. Seller was very willing to work with me and actually requested that the animal get sent back.
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Jared Douglas