Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The boxy in question is in very serious condition. Most of the other boxies exposed to the Mites have died.

I clearly stated the the information offered should be shared with a choosen VET.

It is not a home remedy; but one I have used for over 20 years. It has published papers on it's use and safety.

It is also published in a common Book for Herpetoculturists & Vetrinarians.....By Roger J. Klingenberg D.V.M. and Lowell Ackerman, D.V. M.( Both are world renowned Reptiles Vets) In Ackerman's three volume series for Vets Entitled... The Biology, Husbandry and Health care of REPTILES Ackerman has used the antibiotic strickly for boxies. ...

.I have personally found it to be less stressing to boxies than than more common antiobiotics you mentioned for general use.

Also the Mites in a boxies Lungs are a serious threat and should not be downplayed.

The antibiotic I recommended should take care of the secondary, bacterial, and fungal infections...and possibly Knock out the mites.... but case histories with this aggressive MITE need further attention as they will quickly reinfect their host if not exterminated.

I not saying the post I responded to is the only solution; but one that should be considered before it's too late. I have had too many boxies, for too many years and have worked with several local Vets on Reptile Care for many years (Consult Basis) when all they knew about was cats and dogs.

Now we have some really good reptile vets; but there are plently of knowledgeable people out there who have much more information than many so called rep vets. Don't knock some tried and true Home Remedies that saved many a boxy before you were born.

As previously stated, in this case none of the above are Home Remedies. And I still feel a rep vet should be consulted. I do feel you gave adequate advice; but have just offered another option....before it's too late.
Ric

I have no arguement that your method works in some cases. With very sick turtles, as in the one described, more than just mite removal is necessary. My major problem with Vapona is that it is difficult to regulated the dosing as everyone's enclosure will have undetermined variables. There is also no mg/kg dosing, or cm/kg/m2 chart for the size of strip to use or exactly the length of exposure needed. All in all, to many uncontrollables and I like things precise.

You mentioned that there are many "reptile vets" that really don't deserve the title. True, but that's not really the discussion here. I can give people some pointers in choosing a good herp vet if anyone would like...

On another tangent "off-label" drugs are used everyday in veterinary practice, especially in the research limited herp feild. Veterinary endorsement by the gurus in the feild is definately a plus, but I"d want a first hand discussion with them if ever to use a product. I've never heard of Vapona recommended for use on the Veterinary Information Network. That's not to say it has never been, but it's just not that common anymore.

Ian

ps, what is PAM?

I can understand your point.

PAM is a product to control mites specifically for reptiles---Provent -A - Mite. It is an arachnid poison that retains it killing power for weeks after the reptiles enclosure is sprayed. Water and food must be removed uopn initial spraying until the product is dry. It causes headaches in some humans long after it's use with prolonged close proximity to the reptile enclosure. I have used it a few years ago; but noticed a change in my reptiles behavior after only two weeks exposure. I completely cleaned out the Provent A Mite and the reptile's abnormal behavior was thankfully temporary. It did remove all the mites.
Ric

Good discussion!