Woma in water dish

[lizzypython]

Is there a reason why my woma would be sitting in her water dish for days at a time ?. She's eating fine and seems fine now but she spent most of last week in her water dish and I know sometimes they'll do that to soften thier skin for shedding but she shed 2 weeks ago.

 

[shell477]

Could be mites. Can you see any black or red dots in the bottom of the water dish.

Some snakes just like to soak though.

 

[lizzypython]

Yeah I checked the water dish and there is little black dots in it. Must be mites coz she doesn't usually sit in her dish like that. How to I treat those, never had that problem before. I suspect she got them off a rat I fed her.

 

[blakehose]

Unless the rat was live, or fresh kill, she shouldn't have gotten them off her food. I'm pretty sure they would all be killed in the freezing process. I'm not sure about the mite treatment as none of my animals have had it, but "Top of Decent" is apparently the best?

 

[lisa5]

There is a helpful thread on here somewhere if you do a search on mites. Would post the link, but not sure how to.

 

[shell477]

http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/herp-help-38/got-mites-148641/

And reptiles mites are reptile specific so highly unlikely it came from your rat...

How long have you had her?

And do you have other reptiles..?

 

[lizzypython]

I've had her for 12 months and I only have her no other reptiles.

 

[Freeloader]

They might be ok but check your temps as well. I T.O.D my enclosures every month.

 

[shell477]

Did you handle any other reptiles in the last couple of months?

If theyre that bad that shes soaking for days on end then my guess is that she has has them for a month at least

 

[beeman]

Yeah I checked the water dish and there is little black dots in it. Must be mites coz she doesn't usually sit in her dish like that. How to I treat those, never had that problem before. I suspect she got them off a rat I fed her.

There is no way she got them from the feed! Reptile mite is specific to reptiles, If you have played with/handled any other reptile at all that had mite you may well have brought it home on your person/clothing and transfered it.

Get a can of TOD and follow the instructions.

On a side note any mite treatment should only be used when there is a case of mite to treat! Prophylactic use of any mite treatment is problematic and does cause resistance! Not recomended AT ALL!

 

[longqi]

They might be ok but check your temps as well. I T.O.D my enclosures every month.

Really really bad idea
Mites etc will turn out to be the same as most other insects and eventually build up an immunity to bug spray if continually dosed a little bit
Other major problem could be a build of of the insecticide used in TOD in your snakes
This could be potentially deadly
One off use is fine as has been proven thousands of times
But prolonged exposure may be a totally different ball game

 

[gillsy]

Yeah I agree with the last two posts, overuse is just as bad.

 

[pythrulz]

he link if you havent found it Thread: Got Mites?

 

[prettypython]

I was under the impresion birds carry the same mite. Our local vet asked me if we had brought a new bird into the house when I was bying tod for a mite problem years ago?

 

[shell477]

Prettypython, snake mites and bird mites are different, although there is the rare possibility that the bird you bought just happened to pick up a reptile might on its travels (say if it was was from a pet shop that also had reptiles with a mite infestation) but highly unlikely.

 

[longqi]

Do a quick search for D-Phenothrin, 1.86%
That is the active ingredient of TOD
Deadly on Insects and Fish
Potentially deadly to kittens and cats [neuro]
Applicator needs Long sleeves etc etc etc

D-phenothrin will kill human mite snake mite and bird mites and was developed as an airborne mosquito killer
Its a Synthetic Pyrethroid which is a natural insecticide from chrysanthemums
Not quite as effective as Malathion but pretty nasty stuff if used too much