large snake help

[Immortal_sin]

Ok guys, I have a friend that has a pet supply store. She just got in two very large (12+ feet) albino pythons...suppposedly ball pythons but they are HUGE. I think they might be something else. don't have pics at the moment, but will post some later.
One is in HORRIBLE shape, it's covered in mites, terribly thin, and might be too far gone to save. The other one has mites too, but it's not thin, and looks ok.
I know nothing about the care of large snakes like this. Any ideas on how to help these guys out?
I'll post pics later....

 

[Arachnomaniak]

Definitly not ball pythons if they are 12'+. Probably burmese pythons as they get large and it isn't difficult to find albinos.
If they have mites one way to get rid of them is to use Nix, which is a product sold over the couter to get rid of mites. It can be diluted... I can't remember the ratio of water to Nix. You can soak them in this for a while and that will help get rid of mites.
Set them up seperatly in clean, decent size containers (they don't need to be able to stretch all the way out but they can't be too cramped) Maybe use newspaper for substrate for now to facilitate cleaning.
Might be worth it to have fecal tests done at the vet to detect internal parasites.
If they are indeed burms, you should not have any problem getting them to eat as they tend to be pigs! Depending on girth, try large rats or appropriatly sized rabbits. Be sure to offer something for thermoregulation such as a heat lamp or under tank heater.
Keep an eye on them and after some TLC they should be happy and healty!
I was a huge snake guy (still am) before getting into T's so I've had some experience with similar situations.
Good luck!

 

[Crotalus]

I would stay away from sick miteinfested snakes.

/Lelle

 

[Immortal_sin]

thanks to both of you. I actually found a large snake rescue that will come and pick them up tomorrow. I'm also pretty sure they are burmese pythons...they have the python shaped head. We put heat lamps above them, and gave them each a large water dish. Hopefully they'll be ok tonight till the rescue facility comes and gets them. I guess this is what they do...rehab rescues.

 

[Schlyne]

That definately sounds like a burmese. There are safer ways to get rid of mites, by using provent a mite, or reptile relief. Soaking the snakes may give it some temporary relief from the mites (since many of them will drown) and hydration. I'm not sure if you can find a room to soak a 12' snake though.

Be sure to strip down, scrub, disinfect every inch of the cage and furnishings when the snakes leave. Spraying the cage and furnshings down with provent a mite (after the snakes leave) should help to make sure that the cage won't be carrying mite eggs, and then infesting new occupants or spreading to other reptiles in the store.

 

[Beardo]

If its over 6 feet, its not a Ball Python lol.

 

[Immortal_sin]

After they are picked up tomorrow, we'll be sure and disinfect the cages. In fact, I'm tempted to just tear them down and put them on the burn pile. They are NASTY. Basically just plywood homeade junk. Looks like the snakes have been living in them for quite some time, especially the really sick one. The rescue people are also picking up the tortoise that was in the same house. I think it's a sulcatta (sp?). There were also supposed to be tarantulas rescued, but nobody could find them. Apparently, there is another snake still loose in the house, have no idea what kind. There are also rats running loose too.

 

[Arachnomaniak]

Sounds like a bad situation. Poor animals
If the cages are in poor condition and have been housing sick animals for quite sometime it may be best to just chuck them and then disinfect the area they were in. It's not cool to have mites spred to the rest of the collection!
At least there is someone willing to pick them up and try to nurture them back to health though!

 

[Immortal_sin]

yeah, no doubt. At least my friend doesn't have any other reptiles in her store, (it's not even officially open yet) so we don't have to worry about spreading them around. I'll try and get there today before they are transported to take some pics of them to post.
Apparently, the person that owned them is in the hospital dying. When the paramedics arrived at the house, they noticed all the animals.

 

[Immortal_sin]

here are the pictures, this is the first female, that looks to be in good health, with just a few mites:

 

[Immortal_sin]

Here's the second female, the one that is in bad shape. The mites were so bad, they were coming off her and onto the rescue guy's hands...it was horrible.

 

[Immortal_sin]

last but not least, they took the large tortoise as well

 

[Schlyne]

Those are definately burmese pythons. Sounds like a bad situation all around. They'll be in better hands now.

 

[Kid Dragon]

The problem with mites & Burmese pythons is boid encephalitis... its fatal. The snake does the dance of death. I wouldn't touch a mite infested boa or python with a ten foot poll.

 

[Beardo]

The problem with mites & Burmese pythons is boid encephalitis... its fatal. The snake does the dance of death. I wouldn't touch a mite infested boa or python with a ten foot poll.

So you're saying that all boids w/ mites are going to die? Mites are easily treated with Provent-A-Mite. I have had mites in my collection several times, and none of my boids died.

 

[Crotalus]

Mites are usually not lethal but its hell on earth to get mite infested snakes into your house, esp. if you are unaware of them
A friend of mine have them in his tropical room and its no fun at all
Im paranoid just to enter his house...

/Lelle

 

[Lasiodora]

last but not least, they took the large tortoise as well

Holly,
I'm not sure what species that tortoise is but its not sulcatta.


Mites really are a pain. Even though there are no other reptiles at the store I would still disinfect everything and toss those cages if they are cheap.
I'd be washing my clothes immediately when I got home if I was in your situation and checking myself for any hitchhikers. My mite paranoia is worst than anyone I know Never had them in my collection and never want them.
Mike