python with lumps

[Chris1]

i've heard ivermectin shouldnt be used on any reptiles, ever,...

[lauraschram]

For anyone thats interested- i took the snake to see one of the parasitologists at uni (im a vet student) and it appears to be some sort abscess resulting fromgos knows what but is healing well.
i got hold of some veterinary books and i thought you guys might be interested that they all agree that ivermectin can be used but NOT IN TURTLES/TORTOISES or animals that have been treated with diazepam (valium) in the last 10 days.
The dose recommended is 0.2 to 0.4mg/kg and should not be used too frequently or build up may occur.

As far as top of decent- i've noticed a complete lack of thorough instructions on how to use it on th can/ by the people selling it. Ive looked up directions on how to use it safely as toxci reactions have been noted - the instructions ive found are as follows
spray cage only once.
3 days later spray lightly the cage and lizard/snake
3 days later i(if no signs of toxicity are noted) sprat LIGHTLY entire cage and lizard/snake every 3 days for three weeks. You can also spray a cloth and then rub the animal with the cloth.
hope this helps someone out there!

Also i looked up the 'blister disease' that someone mentioned. this is caused by keeping snakes in an overly humid warm environment with poor ventilation or wet substrate. the lumps are fluid filled and treatment involves improving the humidity levels/ventilation as well as antibiotic therapy to reduce or prevent infection.

hope someone finds this useful - sorry if i seem overly keen but i hope to specialise in reptile medicine after i'm qualified.
cheers
laura

[Julie-anne]

goodluck with your course, we need some more vets with reptile experience / interest. ...I took my yearling coastal to be probed and the vet looked like he didnt want to go near her! I asked her if he could give her a general health check while she was there and he replied "she looks fine" without even touching her

I hope all turns out well for your hacthie

[slither]

mate sound like to me maybe skin worms or sme kind of parasite under the skin probably feeding on the snakes blood if thats the case get it to a vet asap this is a very slow aganizing thing for ure snake and will slowly kill them dont take the chances get to a vet

[lauraschram]

SLITHER have seen a vet - thanks - it is resolving itself - could simply be a reaction to a flea bite etc.

[shamous1]

Just want to gauge everyones thoughts on the use of crushed garlic on reptiles. It is widely know that fleas and other parasites cannot handle garlic and I wonder if cruched grlic used in a rag and wiped over reptiles would do the job.

Not sure on what effect it could have on the snake but if used in low doses it might work.

[lauraschram]

some people use it on cats/dogs to repell fleas and i have heard it works, but i believe it is toxic to cat/dog - they just use it at sub-toxic doses.
the problem is what level woul you need for it to be toxic to a reptile
also how do you get them to ingest it? i think it would put them off their food!
i cant find anything in any of my texts on it as far as reptiles go....
perhaps if applied topically - i doubt it would be absorbed through the skin on snakes/lizzards but do you really want a snake that smells like garlic

[lauraschram]

I FOUND THIS ON A VET INFO SITE:


Common Parasitic Diseases of Reptiles & Amphibians
Western Veterinary Conference 2003
Byron J.S. de la Navarre
Animal House of Chicago, Complete Veterinary Care, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Ectoparasites
Acariasis, which is an infestation with ticks and mites, can be both a nuisance and a costly problems for any animal collection. Both hard and soft shelled ticks attack reptiles and are usually seen on newly imported snakes. One must pay careful attention to the labial pits in boids, as this is a common site for infestation. The ticks can cause anemia and are responsible for the transmission of blood parasites or allowing bacteria to invade the wounds they produce. Treatment is their identification and removal. Ophionyssus mites are the most common and most pathogenic of the mites that attack reptiles. With out proper treatment, mite numbers can increase at such a rate, that even moderately sized animals can be exsanguinated. Mites can also transmit blood parasites and are also believed to transmit the virus responsible for boid encephalitis. Treatment is with ivermectin (Not in Chelonians) or milbemycin, warm water soaks, Fipronil [o.25%] {Beware of Reaction to alcohol carrier/use with caution/extra-label use-need further evaluation}(spray/wipe over q 7-10d), DDVP fly strips (i.e., Shell No Pest Strips or Vapona, are hard to find), or the careful application of pyrethroid {Permethran} [safe than Pyrethrins] insecticide, or Carbaryl powder {5%}. Silica gel may also be used as it desiccates the mite by scratching the cuticle of the mite. However it can also desiccate small reptiles so close monitoring is required. Most reptile breeders have their own combination, i.e., olive oil + garlic + etc... and depending on the number of mites being treated these topical concoctions may be effected for treating the mites on the animals, but will not help with the treatment of the environment. One must always properly treat the cage, cage furniture, feed dishes, etc... if complete eradication of the mite infestation is to be achieved.




DOESNT MENTION IF ITS TOXIC BUT DOESNT SOUND LIKE IT IS?

[shamous1]

If it was wiped over the skin then mites etc may not bite and latch onto the host item. Wiping would be low concentration.

You've got some interesting reading material there too byt he way.

[bredli84]

a few months ago my coastal seemed to develope similar lumps along his body too, i thought that they may have been skin worms but after the next shed the disapeared.