Force feeding with mites

[LoveMyJeep84]

I just posted a couple weeks ago about my new carpet python not eating. It's now been almost 5 weeks since he last ate. The guy I got him from suggested a smaller tank with only water and paper towels to help him feel secure. When I did this I discovered he has mites (previous owner had to delay shipping him to me because of mites and said probably some eggs survived and arrived with him) My snake was eating 1 and sometimes 2 pinkys a week before I got him. Since it's now been over a month should I try to force feed him before starting the prevent-a-mite treatment (No I have never done it before which is why I'm worried about trying)

[Jim Smith]

I would strongly recommend that you do not try to force feed your snake. It is very stressful on the animal and can result in very serious injury to your snake if not done properly. Instead, focus on getting rid of the mites and your snake will get back on the regular feeding schedule. Just my 2 cents worth.

[trailblazer295]

How old/big is the snake?

[LoveMyJeep84]

How old/big is the snake?

Yearling, I don't know his exact age or weight but he's about 2 ft long, maybe half inch around at the neck and 1 inch around on his body

[SSSSnakes]

Deal with the mites first and then force feed only as a last resort. Have hew force feeding done by someone with experience.

[trailblazer295]

With most snakes that go on hunger strikes if they loose more than 10% body weight it's time to be concerned. If he hasn't lost much weight focus on the mites. Talking to friends who have snakes with bad mites they don't eat either. The sooner the mites are gone the sooner the snake will eat under it's own desire.

[LoveMyJeep84]

With most snakes that go on hunger strikes if they loose more than 10% body weight it's time to be concerned. If he hasn't lost much weight focus on the mites. Talking to friends who have snakes with bad mites they don't eat either. The sooner the mites are gone the sooner the snake will eat under it's own desire.

He hasn't lost weight yet, I'm just concerned that his body was accustomed to regular feedings and now he hasn't had food in almost 5 weeks

[dannybgoode]

He hasn't lost weight yet, I'm just concerned that his body was accustomed to regular feedings and now he hasn't had food in almost 5 weeks

Snakes can go extraordinary lengths of time without food. Carpets can be finicky every so often which is a little disconcerting as they're usually pigs!

My IJ carpet was happily destroying weaner rats and the be escaped. After recapture be happily to another weaner but then after that just refused everything for weeks. In the end he started eating rat fluffs but nothing bigger. He ate these for a few feeds, refused again for a few weeks and then decided weaners are where it's at and is back to being a machine.

I agree with the others. Sort the mites and then let's get it feeding again.

[LoveMyJeep84]

I still haven't received the prevent-a-mite treatment �� do you guys think I need to take him too a vet, or just wait for the spray to arrive

[Jim Smith]

I think that you may find that getting rid of mites is a process rather than an event. It took me over six months with several treatments, complete cage cleanings etc. with both Prevent-A-Mite, and Nix (treatment for head lice). Neither of those products did the trick for me as the mites returned after about 2-3 weeks. I finally resorted to using predatory mites (Hypoaspis Mites )which I purchased from Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis miles) - Fungus Gnat, Thrips, Snake Mite Predator (http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/hypoaspis.html) They did the trick with almost no work on my part. I simply added some of the medium that contained the predatory mites to each of my enclosures and it two weeks all the snake mites and their eggs were eaten by the predatory mites. The predatory mites then die off in a couple of weeks due to starvation. The only downside is that the Hypoaspis mites cost $35 and must be used within two weeks or they die (again from starvation). If I am ever unfortunate enough to get a case of mites again, I'm going right for the predatory mites and skip all the chemicals and complete cage cleaning (including all the decorations).

[TRD]

I use Frontline against mites, the single outbreak I had with them died off with 1 treatment with it. Works for 3 months, more than enough to break the cycle of snake mites.

[LoveMyJeep84]

Update on Archer. The vet said it doesn't look like he has any mites, she gave me some spray to use just in case. He does unfortunately have a respiratory infection so he's started on antibiotics, hopefully he starts feeling better soon.

[Scubadiver59]

Get well soon...the snake that is!

Update on Archer. The vet said it doesn't look like he has any mites, she gave me some spray to use just in case. He does unfortunately have a respiratory infection so he's started on antibiotics, hopefully he starts feeling better soon.