Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What to do, when mites are already destroyed, but boa still refuses food?

Thank you in advance.

How do you know you got them all? Also what type of setup are you useing? Is the boa healthy otherwise? Andy

I bought 4 Nicaraguans a week ago. They looked like healthy and were in good condition. When I arrived home I enclosed them in plastic boxes by twos. Second day I noticed some mites in the cage. There were not too much, only a few. Since then I soaked them 2 times, and used Frontline (fipronil) to get rid of mites. They have already eaten except one female, which looks like a bit thinner. Altough, I haven’t seen any mites in the last 2 days, I’m disinfecting their boxes daily.
Thanks,
Adam

Well first off, I had to learn my lesson the hard way years ago, keeping redtails paired in same cage, feeding seperately when I put them back in they locked up and would have killed each other had I not been there. Anyway, If you are concerned about feeding, just try a live pinky mouse or rat. Once they begin eating you can switch them fairly easy. As for mites, Provent a mite works well. Keep us posted, Andy

Mites are a pain. They're amazingly resilient and can be hard to get rid of. The key to getting rid of them is to be persistent. Clean the enclsure everyday, use prevent a mite and keep infested animals quarantined. Additionally, keep handling to a bare minimum, these mites spread like shrub fire.
Animals with mite infestations are almost always stressed and will take some coaxing to eat. Be patient and keep an eye on thier weight. As long as they don't lose weight, they're okay, but if they begin to lose the weight, it's time for a visit to the vet. Personally, I'd take them regardless, just to be safe.
I wish you luck.

I agree with the above post. Minor mite burdens rarely keep animals from eating. With imports there are also many other parasites to worry about, plus the stress from importation, other diseases, and dehydration. I suggest the vet visit as well, with a fecal and a blood exam. This gets the stress done and over with. Then I suggest seperating the poor-doers and placing in a more naturalistic vivaria where it can feel secure, secluded, and at home.

Ian

ps, of course husbandry is always #1 on any "fix-it" list, but I'm assuming that someone bringing in imports already knows what they're doing