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RuGGeR
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: Ok or Not??? |
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Hi everybody... I would like to know if it ok to feed ball pythons with Rats with Lice? A lot will say no! BUT I NEED THE FACT!!! what i want to know is that will it caused any kind of negative effect or any illness/disease on the snakes??
I think its ok and the reason for saying that is i have got this understanding that parasite is specis specfic....
Please let me know what your view is/are on this....
Thanx in advance....
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ThreeRings
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 179
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't for several reasons.
1. Even if they don't affect the snake, bringing lice into your house means that you or your family could become infested.
2. It makes no sense to me to knowingly introduce a parasite, harmful or not, to your home or pets.
3. This is the biggie, if your supplier or pet store is selling you lice infested rats, what else is going on in the back room? Lice infested rats, Parvo puppies, internal parasites? If they're willing to knowingly sell animals with parasites, I'd bet that there are some other bad practices happening.
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hhmoore
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 532
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Ok or Not??? |
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| RuGGeR wrote: | | I think its ok and the reason for saying that is i have got this understanding that parasite is specis specfic |
SOME parasites are host specific (this does not always species). Rats can have both lice and mites. Neither will find your snakes a suitable host (though you might find them crawling on them if an infested rat was fed to the snake). There are a few types of (rat) mites that will bite humans and other animals.
Also, both lice and mites can transmit bloodborne diseases to the rats (or whatever else they bite).
Internal parasites are another risk - I've already discussed them, including their life cycles & the risks they present, at some length in the past.
It is generally recommended that captive snakes be fed healthy prey, without obvious parasites...but you already knew that answer.
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snake-charmer
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
Posts: 844
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:21 am Post subject: |
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My head itches by just reading this post...I can't see the purpose of bringing a lice infected anything into ones home... 
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JMarc
Joined: 01 Nov 2008
Posts: 182
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't feed anything that I know had any type of health problem even if it is ok I'd only feed healthy prey to my snakes, just knowing they had lice I wouldn't even consider it. Rats/mice are a few bucks at the most throw that thing away or return it.
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6872
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:51 am Post subject: |
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| snake-charmer wrote: | | My head itches by just reading this post...I can't see the purpose of bringing a lice infected anything into ones home... |
He's probably not doing it on purpose..perhaps brought some and later noticed the issue.
Regardless, I totally agree..in fact,
Let me share with y'all what I do. I do buy my feeders (live) bulk and they go though a process before I feed them to my snakes (I am not saying my process is foolproof).
I bring the rats home, quarantine them..They are put on pretreated (PAM) Aspen any that die are tossed.
Those that I decide to use as feeders are set aside in Big Apple Herp Rat tubs and their water is spiked with cat/dog wormer. They stay in here for about 3 weeks getting fat and being cleaned before I feed them off.
Also all the rats in my care eventually take a turn being wormed.
But the OP didn't ask this question to hear me talk about myself...curiousity must be satisfied! 
Rugger, you may enjoy the book; Understanding Reptile Parasites by Roger J. Klingenberg D.V.M.
Ron..the book has the regular information on parasites..but, I neglected to mention that it's good for dosing information and shows the needles and methods used.
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deborahbroadus
Moderator
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 6872
Location: Baltimore, MD
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| Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:59 am Post subject: Re: Ok or Not??? |
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| RuGGeR wrote: | Hi everybody... I would like to know if it ok to feed ball pythons with Rats with Lice? A lot will say no! BUT I NEED THE FACT!!! what i want to know is that will it caused any kind of negative effect or any illness/disease on the snakes??
I think its ok and the reason for saying that is i have got this understanding that parasite is specis specfic....
Please let me know what your view is/are on this....
Thanx in advance.... |
It is ok to feed BPs rats with lice in that it will not hurt them, BUT common sense asks why would anyone want to? Not only will the lice be in the house, multiplying, getting everywhere, but everyone else may be miserable.
As Harald said, some are host specific, but that doesn't mean they won't take that odd meal once in a while 
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snake-charmer
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
Posts: 844
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| deborahbroadus wrote: | | snake-charmer wrote: | | My head itches by just reading this post...I can't see the purpose of bringing a lice infected anything into ones home... |
He's probably not doing it on purpose..perhaps brought some and later noticed the issue.
Regardless, I totally agree..in fact,
Let me share with y'all what I do. I do buy my feeders (live) bulk and they go though a process before I feed them to my snakes (I am not saying my process is foolproof).
I bring the rats home, quarantine them..They are put on pretreated (PAM) Aspen any that die are tossed.
Those that I decide to use as feeders are set aside in Big Apple Herp Rat tubs and their water is spiked with cat/dog wormer. They stay in here for about 3 weeks getting fat and being cleaned before I feed them off.
Also all the rats in my care eventually take a turn being wormed.
But the OP didn't ask this question to hear me talk about myself...curiousity must be satisfied!
Rugger, you may enjoy the book; Understanding Reptile Parasites by Roger J. Klingenberg D.V.M.
Ron..the book has the regular information on parasites..but, I neglected to mention that it's good for dosing information and shows the needles and methods used. |
WOW! I'm impressed at all you go through before the rat is fed to your snake. Impressive preventative steps indeed! 
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