Parasites to look out for on snakes???

[Cazza]

I am thinking abou getting a Coastal Carpet Python, and I live in SA, are there any internal/external parisites to look out for? I know they can get mites but can I get mites from a snake? Also can I pick up any worms from them? Also how can they get parasites? And I am mainly worried about ticks, how do they get ticks? Can they get paralysis ticks if I live in SA? And where to look for the parasites on the snake to check if it has any? Also how do I know if it has worms, and when should I take it to the reptile vet? once every month or once every six months for a regular checkup?

Sorry for all the questions at once, but I have to know all of this first (P.S I am aware that it is possible to catch salmonella from a domestic snake so I have to wash my hands after handling).

 

[thomasssss]

if its a captive bred python , that has been properly looked after you shouldnt need to worry about ticks worms etc

as for mites , no you cannot catch snake mites , you can however transfer them over to yours and others snakes thats why quarantine is so important
9not just for mites though just health problems in general) , but to my knowledge they do not take up residency so to say and live on humans like they do snakes , we just act as a carrier at times

as for a reptile vet its a good idea to have one available;e but there isnt really any need to take it there regularly unless you notice a problem , some like to take them when they first get them for a check up but this isnt mandatory imo i wouldn't be going every month thats excessive , once a year is even kinda excessive if they appear healthy and are being kept right

 

[Cazza]

Thanks

 

[Cazza]

Can the snake get ticks from my dog? I am not saying she does have any but is is possible? I live in SA, are paralysis ticks found here? Please anwer my mum is freaking out about this!

 

[thomasssss]

Can the snake get ticks from my dog? I am not saying she does have any but is is possible? I live in SA, are paralysis ticks found here? Please anwer my mum is freaking out about this!

just relax , there is the possibility that one may come in on your dog and somehow find its way into your snakes enclosure but that is pretty unlikely imo and even if one did get onto your snake , if you check your animals regularly you should notice it and hopefully remove it before any damage is done

snakes do not need to be wrapped in cotton wool , stop worrying , just get your basic husbandry practices down , things like temperature gradient , hides in appropriate places , and trying not to stress the animal out every second of the day fussing over it like its a newborn baby and you should be fine
you will pick up things along the way and people here are happy to help when you do have a problem but for the moment you DO NOT need to worry about things like parasites worms and ticks , these are mostly problems in wild snakes and very rarely a problem in captive bred snakes that have been well looked after