Can I use diatomaceous earth to treat mites in my green anole's tank?

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.

Clean and sanitize the enclosure, bowls and any tank furniture. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Replace the substrate temporarily with paper towels and change them daily. You can purchase a commercial mite treatment to use. Confirm it is safe to use in reptiles before use. Follow label directions carefully. You can also soak him in a warm bath of diluted Betadine. Wipe him gently during the bath. The diluted Betadine will kill the mites and clean any wounds or irritation caused by 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.

Without a close up image, it is difficult to determine what these dots are. They could be springtail mites. These are harmless mites that feed on decaying matter. High humidity levels and a food source draw them in. They may have hitched a ride in on the live food or new fat tails you acquired. Treatment involves removing food sources, decreasing humidity and sanitizing cages, bowls, etc. Soaking your affected geckos in water may clean them off.

A dehydrated or cold anole will not eat. Make sure ambient and basking temps in the enclosure are species appropriate. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to warm him up and rehydrate him. Offer appropriate sized prey (crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, silk worms). Nothing bigger than the space between his eyes. Gut load them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles if he does not regain his appetite. Frequently, these little guys are infected with intestinal parasites. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/anole.html

A small enough piece should pass uneventfully. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or lack of defecation. If necessary, see your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet. Soaking him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte will keep him well hydrated which can help the substrate pass easier.