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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by Cro on February 17, 2010
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Using mulch from a home supply store is quite risky.
There are no safeguards as to what might toxins it might have in it. Many mulches are dyed with coloration, or, treated with chlorine to bleach them lighter, and are probably also treated with pesticides.
Like Larry stated, that type of injury could have also been caused by a mite infestation. The snakes dying with that stiff body posture is often associated with the blood poisoning from that. But, if you are sure that there were no mites, and if you are sure the were no heat sources like light bulbs the snakes could have contacted, then contact with toxins in the mulch is about all that is left.
Stop using the mulch.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by pictigaster1 on February 17, 2010
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My son bought mulch from wal mart it was in the middle of winter .He set up his cages and in two weeks there were hundreds of ticks all over his cage fresh hatched from the mulch..I buy organic no chemicles mulch and compost from a garden supply mix it with forest bedding and coconut husk to make a bio bedding.This mix has worked great and is mostly compost.There are spring tails and other composting inscets in it and some other cool stuff as well that I do not want gone.So I have a liveing floor in a few of my cages .This has been going on for about a year and has been a pleasure to work with.
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by venomrob on February 17, 2010
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Personally I use regular ole cheap bath towels for bedding. Doing it for years and have not had one prob. except for an R.I. in one of my burms (but that was my fault, humidity). I even keep hots on them and never had a prob. That might be worth trying for anyone. You can just throw them in the washer when soilded and put new ones in after disinfecting the floor first, I use vinyl from lowes. This has worked great for me. Just a tip.....
Rob
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by pictigaster1 on February 17, 2010
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I have never herd of towels that is interesting.The reason I went to the bio bedding on a few cages was bordom.Tired of the same old thing all the time this gives me something to work on that is different and supports plant life as well in some of my cages.I do not own any non vens at all my wife has a couple tho she gets aspin or news paper.Shredded aspin is a great substrate.Some use care fresh a recycled paper product.
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by Buzztail1 on February 18, 2010
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I use aspen shavings for all my substrate needs except quarantine animals get newspaper.
I have not lost a snake to "blister disease" since 1983. That was a large black rat snake that kept overturning his water dish and creating too wet an enclosure. He went pretty quick as I recall and had the same stiff posture once he died.
I remember asking a few people about it and was told that rat snakes, in particular, were susceptible to "blister disease".
I have kept quite a few snakes on cypress mulch with no problems as long as they have an area to get up off of any wetness.
Good luck with whichever way you decide to go.
R/
Karl
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by Cro on February 18, 2010
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Aspen shavings are a lot "cleaner" because the are made as a bi-product of the furniture industry, where aspen is a commonly used white wood.
Cypress mulch on the other hand, is the outer bark from the trees that is removed when the trees are processed for lumber. It is subject to exposure to toxins, as it is processed outside and left in piles where it could absorb runoff from the tree processing machinery, or detergents from cleaning the machinery, etc.
A lot of reptile keepers do use cypress mulch from outfits like Lowes and Home Depot, however, it has a potential to contain contamination, or insects.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by Crotalusssp on February 18, 2010
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Recently I got a gift card to a pet supply store for my birthday. I really avoid those places as much as possible, but with 40$ to spend, why not. Anyway I purchases a large bag of coconut bark bedding. I mainly use newspaper and paper towels, and have never had any animal with blister disease, but thought I would give this a try. So far it has worked out well. It retains some moisture when misted, but drys in a day. Looks okay, better than newspaper anyway. I don't remember the price, because I wasn't really paying for it, LOL.
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by TheFifthDay on February 18, 2010
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This snake was one of four that I kept last year, all from a clutch that I hatched. The only difference between these snakes was that the one that died was in it's water dish alot, and then put on the mulch.
I figuered it was the mulch, but I wanted to get people's opinions.
Thanks again,
Jon
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RE: Killer Blisters?
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by bitisatrox on February 20, 2010
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Looks fungal to me... It explains the rigidity post-mortum, and spores can be everywhere, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there... have it swabbed and tested by a vet, things like this can spread before you know it..
TEC
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