The Royal Python Forum
The Royal Python Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Royal Python Posts
 Royal Python Health
 Mite Treatment - Frontline
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Blackecho
Royal Python Admin

United Kingdom
11327 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  13:16:04  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Signs of Mites

Black specs in the water bowl. One of a snake's natural defences against mites is to try to drown them, so you may find them in their water bowl:



Your snake may also become dehydrated and their skin and eye condition may deteriorate:





The most obvious sign though is obviously finding them under the scales, usually on the belly:





Treatment by Frontline of Snake

Bought from my vets, Frontline spray for cats:



Spray 2 or 3 times onto a piece of Kitchen towel and wipe the snake down a few times from neck to tail, making sure to avoid the head.

Take the snake out of the viv and into a RUB, using plain white kitchen towel as substrate so that you can see any mites. Use disposable cardboard hides in the RUB and a small waterbowl, big enough to drink from, but not big enough for the snake to bathe in.

Change substrate and hide regularly, every 2 to 3 days or as you see mites. Hides made from cut up cereal boxes or such like are ideal as cheap and easy to get hold of.

2 to 3 days after the Frontline application, bathe the snake in a bath (washing up bowl) as deep as the snake and at the temperature of the hot end of the viv (30-35C) with a few tablespoons of olive oil in. Give the bath a swirl to mix prior to introducing the snake. Leave the snake in for 15 - 20 mins, the oil will help suffocate the mites. Dry with kitchen towel, the snake will still be oily. Repeat this every 2 to 3 days.

2 weeks after the initial Frontline treatment, repeat application via kitchen towel to the snake.



Treatment by Frontline of Vivarium

When the snake has been removed from the viv (the fumes are very toxic and can take several days to dissipate - its easier to remove the snake for the entire duration) remove and dispose of all furniture that cannot be baked or sprayed with Frontline.

Anything that can be baked should be done so for at least an hour at at least 160C. Other furniture (such as resin hides and water bowls) can be sprayed with frontline at the same time as the viv.

Spray the viv thoroughly with Frontline on all surfaces. Place kitchen towel on the bottom of the viv so that you can check for signs of mites, close the doors to keep the fumes in and leave.

Repeat this process 2 weeks later.



Returning Snake to Vivarium

2 weeks after the second treatment (4 weeks in total), thoroughly check the viv and snake for mites, there should be none and the snake can be returned to the viv. If there are any signs of mites repeat the processes above for another 2 weeks.

Your snake is unlikely to want to eat during this time.



matty18714
Royal Python Moderator

United Kingdom
2016 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  13:34:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Nice one Piers.

Go to Top of Page

Blackecho
Royal Python Admin

United Kingdom
11327 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  14:28:30  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Cheers Matty.



Go to Top of Page

matty18714
Royal Python Moderator

United Kingdom
2016 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  14:31:01  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Out of intrest how much did the frontline cost you?

Go to Top of Page

Blackecho
Royal Python Admin

United Kingdom
11327 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  14:35:34  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
£20 from vets or cheaper online, such as: http://www.leguidesante.co.uk/3A6/purchase/external-spray-application-mechanical-pump-spray-100ml/




Edited by - Blackecho on 17/05/2009 14:38:41
Go to Top of Page

Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator

United Kingdom
2663 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  15:33:18  Show Profile  Click to see Gingerpony's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
sounds great BE

i can't buy Frontline spray that cheap at work! online places can offer a better price as they buy in bulk to keep their own costs down and it's on GSL (General Sales List) rather than POM (Prescription Only Medication) so you don't need to get it from a vet

Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
Go to Top of Page

Blackecho
Royal Python Admin

United Kingdom
11327 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  15:41:52  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Its not that cheap when you add the £6.50 p&p.



Go to Top of Page

dazb
Royal Python Moderator

United Kingdom
2847 Posts

Posted - 17/05/2009 :  15:46:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
good sticky piers...



Go to Top of Page

lee2308
Royal Python Moderator

United Kingdom
2597 Posts

Posted - 18/05/2009 :  00:43:35  Show Profile  Click to see lee2308's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
very good step through guide,hope i never need it.

Members map-------Want to be on the map?

Go to Top of Page

sexychef
Royal Python Moderator

United Kingdom
692 Posts

Posted - 18/05/2009 :  08:19:49  Show Profile  Click to see sexychef's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
BE why do you use a water bowl the snake cant bathe in while in the RUB?



1.0.0 western hognose 1.1.0 royals 2.1.0 corn snake
Go to Top of Page

Blackecho
Royal Python Admin

United Kingdom
11327 Posts

Posted - 18/05/2009 :  10:49:10  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
For the same reason you don't put Frontline on their head, it can be highly toxic if injested. So if the snake bathed in the water whilst covered in Frontline and then drank the water you could have problems.



Go to Top of Page

wolfspirit
Old Royal - I Post too much!

United Kingdom
5741 Posts

Posted - 18/05/2009 :  11:42:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good post BE



"No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from
now and make a brand new ending."
-- Source Unknown





Go to Top of Page

Blackecho
Royal Python Admin

United Kingdom
11327 Posts

Posted - 06/03/2010 :  12:57:09  Show Profile  Click to see Blackecho's MSN Messenger address  Send Blackecho a Yahoo! Message  Reply with Quote
Frontline online: http://www.leguidesante.co.uk/3A6/purchase/frontline-external-spray-application-mechanical-pump-spray-100ml/



Go to Top of Page

sandi
Sub Adult

787 Posts

Posted - 22/02/2011 :  20:42:21  Show Profile  Visit sandi's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Just found this, good info. Unfortunately i am about to put it into action.
Do you know if its safe to spray house with acclaim flea spray? I have some and thought it might form a barrier between the rooms that my 2 snakes occupy. Totaly paranoid about cross contamination.

0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
The Royal Python Forum © THEROYALPYTHON.co.uk Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000