Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got in some rescue snakes tonight, was interested in just the Cape York but she said she was going to give the corn snakes to Petco, and I couldnt let that happen. So I am now with four snakes, but we bought a LEGIT breeding rack system from her, the kind on BoaFile? For only $100, with $35 extra thrown in because she is going to homeless shelter Monday

These were her husbands (seperated) snakes, she knew nothing about them but breeds and how to work the racks. They were in disgusting conditions, newspaper on one half, little tupperware bowls and poop all OVER. Sheds too, the smell of snake poo is overwhelming.

I dont *see* mites, but I want to scrub and sanitize every inch of the snakes and the cages. I was going to soak the snakes (some have sheds still) then spread mineral oil on heat pits and eyes as directed. What is your method and which way should I go?

Also, they are VERY skinny except the Cape York, she was a breeder originally so the lady said she came obese and is now perfect weight. Do you think with major cage upgrade (I personally do plantation soil by ExoTerra) they will start eating and gain weight? Should I deworm them? I work for a vet tech, and she is currently helping my coworker rehab a very ill ball thats another rescue, so she can help me administer any medicine/give shots.

Thanks for any information!! Usually my rescues come in better health then this
-----
I grew up with jeff Corwins tv show, my fondest childhood memories are not playing with other children, but sticking easter eggs down holes trying to catch a cobra!

"A rattlesnake that doesn't bite teaches you nothing."
- Jessamyn West

>>
>>I dont *see* mites, but I want to scrub and sanitize every inch of the snakes and the cages. I was going to soak the snakes (some have sheds still) then spread mineral oil on heat pits and eyes as directed. What is your method and which way should I go?
>>
>>Also, they are VERY skinny except the Cape York, she was a breeder originally so the lady said she came obese and is now perfect weight. Do you think with major cage upgrade (I personally do plantation soil by ExoTerra) they will start eating and gain weight? Should I deworm them? I work for a vet tech, and she is currently helping my coworker rehab a very ill ball thats another rescue, so she can help me administer any medicine/give shots.

Personally if it were me I would clean the cages with bleach solution and a touch of dish soap as a surfactant. Rinse and dry.
Soak the snakes in warm shallow initially then give each a mossy humid hide box...works and is less stress than soaking. Sorta treat them like a neonate and let them hydrate a week or so. Then offer a meal.
I personally would treat newspaper with either Provent a Mite or the Equate Lice spray equivalent....let it dry entirely (I do this outside) and use that as a substrate for a month or so.

I would NOT oil the snakes down. I have seen a couple snakes that, when treated topically with mineral oil shed all their scales.....it was pretty horrid. Basically reptiles and mineral / petroleum products don't go well together. If the animal has hidden mites the cage treatment will deal with it.
I would NOT deworm unless a vet checked fecal diagnosed them with parasites. No point poisoning them for nothing.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

Everything you touched on was good, however I would definitely not recommend spraying any of the primary contact substrate with either Provent a Mite or Equate, etc. The interior of the cage should obviously be sprayed, but lay untreated newspaper down for the substrate. Also, if using Equate or any of the lice sprays, you should wipe the excess off the cage interiors after about an hour before replacing the animal. They contain a small amount of petroleum distillate as a carrier. Newspaper or other fiber substrates absorb and retain PAM or Equate, etc and it can be released back onto any animal resting on it. Always be sure to lightly spray the exterior of the cages with what ever you are using and do not wipe off.

Kelly

>>Everything you touched on was good, however I would definitely not recommend spraying any of the primary contact substrate with either Provent a Mite or Equate, etc. The interior of the cage should obviously be sprayed, but lay untreated newspaper down for the substrate. Also, if using Equate or any of the lice sprays, you should wipe the excess off the cage interiors after about an hour before replacing the animal. They contain a small amount of petroleum distillate as a carrier. Newspaper or other fiber substrates absorb and retain PAM or Equate, etc and it can be released back onto any animal resting on it. Always be sure to lightly spray the exterior of the cages with what ever you are using and do not wipe off.
>>
>>Kelly

I have always sprayed a pile of newspaper, sheet at a time and then used that for the change out paper. I had never thought of it being too much. And I didn't want to spray the enclosure itself because the tubs don't dry really as was noted and you end up with a retention on the surface. Then even with paper over it the snake can go between layers or under the paper and come in contact. I haven't had troubles with this method the couple times I have used it but you make very good points. And of course the spraying or treating exterior is important.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

I agree with the residue issue, and that is why I believe it is important to spray the interiors, let set for 30 to 60 minutes, and then wipe out the interiors with paper towels. By also lightly spraying the exteriors weekly, this will usually safely break the target mites life cycle within a few weeks.

Kelly

>>I agree with the residue issue, and that is why I believe it is important to spray the interiors, let set for 30 to 60 minutes, and then wipe out the interiors with paper towels. By also lightly spraying the exteriors weekly, this will usually safely break the target mites life cycle within a few weeks.
>>
>>Kelly

Wiping them out doesn't effect the mite killing ability of the spray?? Good to know.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

A heavy spraying will kill the mites and their eggs on the interior surfaces within a few minutes. The residual left after wiping will not kill eggs, but will kill most of the young mites traveling on the interior surface and some of the adult mites, but not all. The key is the weekly spraying of the exterior of the cage and not wiping it off. Most of the mites will migrate off of the snake over time and be killed as they leave the cage. This also keeps any mites from moving through a collection. After doing this once a week for a few weeks, the mites are usually eliminated. It takes a little longer to kill all of them with this method, but it is much safer than any other way I am aware of.

Kelly

>>A heavy spraying will kill the mites and their eggs on the interior surfaces within a few minutes. The residual left after wiping will not kill eggs, but will kill most of the young mites traveling on the interior surface and some of the adult mites, but not all. The key is the weekly spraying of the exterior of the cage and not wiping it off. Most of the mites will migrate off of the snake over time and be killed as they leave the cage. This also keeps any mites from moving through a collection. After doing this once a week for a few weeks, the mites are usually eliminated. It takes a little longer to kill all of them with this method, but it is much safer than any other way I am aware of.
>>
>>Kelly
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny