My blue tongue skink has mites. What's the best way to treat them?

You must treat both the environment and the pet. You can try some over the counter products but many can be ineffective if the environment is not treated concurrently. Ivermectin can be dispensed by your veterinarian to use systemically or topically. Do not treat with ivermectin without the advice of your veterinarian as it is quite easy to overdose. A 30 minute soak in a diluted Betadine bath can remove most mites and may soothe irritated skin. Remove the substrate, bag it and take it outdoors. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls and tank furniture. You can use hot, soapy water followed by a 1:30 dilution of bleach and water followed by a thorough rinsing on the tank, bowls and non porous surfaces. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. You may need to clean and sanitize the enclosure weekly for several weeks. The pet may need multiple treatments as well.

It should not be used in areas where your anole will come into frequent contact with it. This may lead to skin irritation. Instead, clean and sanitize the tank, bowls and any hard, non-political tank furniture. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. A soak and bath in a diluted Betadine solution may rinse away mites and treat minor infection. Soak for 15 minutes and use a cotton swan to gently clean around the head. You may need to bathe your anole and clean the tank several times over a few weeks time to completely eradicate the mite infection.

Hello. Good question. Mites unfortunately, are not easy to get rid of. You have to treat both the iguana and her environment. It is not recommended that you use any medications on your iguana without speaking to your vet first. Over the counter treatments do not usually work well and can often times be toxic if not used correctly. No matter what treatment you use it will likely take multiple treatments. It is best to obtain treatments directly from your veterinarian. If you do not already have a vet that you work with, this is a veterinary hospital near you where the vets are well versed in treating reptiles: http://chadwellanimalhospital.com/about-us/the-hospital/ You must also treat Li Mai's environment. Remove her from the cage. Throw away and branches or other organic material including the substrate. Soak the bowls and the enclosure itself in a 10:1 dilution of water to bleach. Let is soak for at least an hour but as long as you can. Be sure to get the bleach water in all the crevices. You will probably have to do this twice weekly over the next few months. Please consult with a veterinarian as these mites can be VERY difficult to get rid of. They can cause a myriad of other health problems including issues with shedding, damaged scales, stress, scratching, and more so you need to work together with a vet you trust to make sure all of her husbandry is correct. This includes her diet, the lighting, the temperatures and humidity in the cage. I hope this helps. Best of luck to you and Li Mai! Dr. Amber

Look him over closely for mites. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls and any furniture. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Use paper towels for substrate and change them daily. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes daily. This may aid in any impending shed. If he has mites, they will migrate to his head where you can wipe them off. He may need to be treated by your veterinarian to completely clear any mite infestation.

Have her examined by your veterinarian. He or she may be able to consult, by phone or online, with a specialist to reach a diagnosis and to obtain treatment information. The larger veterinary reference labs offer consultation services with a wide variety of specialists as well. Trauma, infection, nutritional deficiency or environmental issues can all cause issues with they eye. Confirm proper diet, temperature and humidity. Choose a safe substrate and survey the enclosure for any object that may potentially cause injury.

Mild scale rot can be managed at home by controlling humidity and treating the affected area topically. Keep the enclosure and substrate dry and provide adequate ventilation. Use a diluted betadine solution to gently clean the affected area once or twice daily. Dry thoroughly afterwards. A dab of a triple antibiotic ointment or silvadene cream can be applied after each cleaning. More serious rot or rot that does not respond to conservative treatment should be addressed by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Thanks for reaching out about Khalessi and including photos. Keep her on clean, dry cloths and not substrate that can get into the wound or adhere to blood. A warm shallow bath might soothe the toe if you believe it is uncomfortable. The swollen digit could be a fracture, dislocation, infection or other, so a veterinary visit is a good idea to assess. Good luck.