MITES !!!!

[shepherd]

I was watching my babies this evening when i was shocked to see tiny black dots moving across their bodies. a closer look confirmed they were big*jerk mites. i also noticed the tell tale white flecks of waste and lifted scales. I gave one of them a gentle rub and about 20 mites fell onto the paper i had them on. I am fairly sure i know how to treat the problem however i can't figure out how they got there in the first place. i keep a spotless tank and they have never been outside (they're only three months old). I was hoping that you knowledgable folk could answer the following,

1. could they have been infested with mite eggs when i got them at 1 month of age? (i'm 99% sure they were captive bred)

2. Do the eggs hatch on the skink or elsewhere?

3. Do the mites cause health problem if not treated?

4. How uncomfortable does it make the skink?

5. Does it change the skinks behaviour?

6. can the mites infest people?

7. Do the mites and the eggs survive sheds?

I know i'm asking a lot but it really worries me that one day my babies are perfectly healthy and the next, little ninja aliens are sucking their blood.

i plan on posting pics when they go through their next shed as they are not quite ready for their photographic debut at this point.

[bluetonguemad]

ok, im no expert but my mediocre knowledge will keep you happy until zach or one of the others (ahhhhh lost all over again) arrives

1-it is possible, maybe check with the breeder or pet shop?

2-im not entirely sure but seems most likely on the skink.

3-yes they can, not sure what, zach and such will know.

4-i will just go to the pet shop and ask one...im not sure on that either

5-could do, if it aggitated them enough tey could turn more aggresive maybe

6-if theyre specific to reptiles then it is highly unlikely

7-i dont know, its possible

i really hope this helps a little bit, just wait until zach or someone posts and then youll be fine for sure, thats pretty much what i know from just reading stuff, but if you truly amazingly worried and you want something done now you could take it to a vet?

[Lucifer_Spades]

I was watching my babies this evening when i was shocked to see tiny black dots moving across their bodies. a closer look confirmed they were big*jerk mites. i also noticed the tell tale white flecks of waste and lifted scales. I gave one of them a gentle rub and about 20 mites fell onto the paper i had them on. I am fairly sure i know how to treat the problem however i can't figure out how they got there in the first place. i keep a spotless tank and they have never been outside (they're only three months old). I was hoping that you knowledgable folk could answer the following,

1. could they have been infested with mite eggs when i got them at 1 month of age? (i'm 99% sure they were captive bred)

Yes, they could have gotten it from their mom.

2. Do the eggs hatch on the skink or elsewhere?

Both, when you treat the mites besure to very thoroughly clean the vivarium as well.

3. Do the mites cause health problem if not treated?

Yes, infections under the skin are most prevalent, also anemia, and immuno deficiancy leading to other sicknesses.

4. How uncomfortable does it make the skink?

Ever been covered by mosquito bites? There ya go.

5. Does it change the skinks behaviour?

They can become withdrawn and sleepy and they can scratch themselves to serious injury.

6. can the mites infest people?

No, thank goodness. They tend to be species spacific, much like lice.

7. Do the mites and the eggs survive sheds?

Yes as they simply crawl off the old skin onto the new. Not to mention they can survive short periods in the substrait.

I know i'm asking a lot but it really worries me that one day my babies are perfectly healthy and the next, little ninja aliens are sucking their blood.

Best suggestion, PM Usersafe (steve) he has 100% safe for blueys products.

i plan on posting pics when they go through their next shed as they are not quite ready for their photographic debut at this point.

PICTURES! YAY! Post away! Even now as it can help other people identify the signs of mites on their own skinkys.

[Geoff Gates]

Shepherd,

The likely source of the infestation is the substrate or cage furnishings (logs etc).

I doubt that they had mite eggs on them the mites would hatch amongst the substrate.

Leaving them untreated could lead to death of your blueys.

The problem you have is that the bluey tank is the perfect environment and incubator for the mites in all stages of their lifecycle with a readily available food source (the blueys)

I'd use 'Top of Descent' for a quick treatment.

...and have a look here for some interesting info

http://www.smuggled.com/MitTre1.htm

[KyleWeiss]

Geoff, you're the man!

KW

[shepherd]

Thanks guys.

I treated them this afternoon with Top of Descent. Absolutely amazed as to how many mites fell off and how the bluies perked up. My concern was that the infestation seemed to have occured over night. as i said i keep a spotless tank and use fake logs and terracotta for food/water bowls. the substrate is aspen and the package stated that it had been treated to get rid of all nasties. They have not been with other animals so how did the mites get into the tank in the first place?


......... + =

[Geoff Gates]

I suspect it was the Apsen or there were eggs on the fake logs. Mites life cycle (eggs hatching) is determined by the temperature.