|
|
Post by razzyrane on Jun 24, 2017 18:57:15 GMT
I've had my 3 banana slugs for a few months now and they've a been pretty active and eat regularly, but when I was cleaning their cage today I noticed some things. There were these tiny bugs crawling around everywhere (Some of them were tiny and barely noticeable and others were bigger and had wings). After I cleaned out the cage I noticed one of my slugs had some tears in him and I'm worried he may have some bacteria or maybe those bugs did something? Also, he blows a bubble everytime he breaths and I don't think he did that when I first got him. The others had some small marks but this one had the worst of it. I want my slugs to have a comfortable life so does anyone know how to fix this before it gets worse? Or at least know what's wrong? I have many pictures but I don't know how to post them in this, so I'll need help with that.
|
|
|
|
Post by razzyrane on Jun 24, 2017 21:09:08 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by jroberts on Jun 25, 2017 8:47:25 GMT
I've had my 3 banana slugs for a few months now and they've a been pretty active and eat regularly, but when I was cleaning their cage today I noticed some things. There were these tiny bugs crawling around everywhere (Some of them were tiny and barely noticeable and others were bigger and had wings). After I cleaned out the cage I noticed one of my slugs had some tears in him and I'm worried he may have some bacteria or maybe those bugs did something? Also, he blows a bubble everytime he breaths and I don't think he did that when I first got him. The others had some small marks but this one had the worst of it. I want my slugs to have a comfortable life so does anyone know how to fix this before it gets worse? Or at least know what's wrong? I have many pictures but I don't know how to post them in this, so I'll need help with that. This is the reason I always suggest against bio-active enclosures. Before you even realise there are parasites present, they multiply in to the millions and cover everything. (that comment was unrelated and was in no way meant as an implication that the problem is any fault of your own). All I can suggest is that you get a bowl of clean water (tap water is fine but let it dechlorinate for at least 6 hours by letting it stand). Bath the slugs in it, gently rubbing their skin with your thumb. Don't re-introduce them to their enclosure until you have emptied, disinfected and thoroughly washed away any detergents used in cleaning. Fresh substrate, and wash hands thoroughly between handling anything dirty/contaminated and anything fresh. This wont solve the problem in the first attempt as the slugs will still have parasites on them that you were unable to get rid of in the bathing process. (You have to be very gentle, as this is not just down to what their skin can take, but down to stress to). Repeat cycle every 3-4 days (never less than 3, as the bathing is stressfull to the slugs and they need time to re-produce their protective layer - the slime). As long as you avoid cross contamination, this should solve the problem in as little as 3 attempts. If you use substrate that you have collected yourself, this could be part of the problem. Ensure you heat treat the substrate (about 200 degrees celsius for 5 minuets in the oven) before using. (this is not necessary on coir/sphagnum substrate). |
|
|
|
Post by razzyrane on Jun 26, 2017 5:03:37 GMT
I've had my 3 banana slugs for a few months now and they've a been pretty active and eat regularly, but when I was cleaning their cage today I noticed some things. There were these tiny bugs crawling around everywhere (Some of them were tiny and barely noticeable and others were bigger and had wings). After I cleaned out the cage I noticed one of my slugs had some tears in him and I'm worried he may have some bacteria or maybe those bugs did something? Also, he blows a bubble everytime he breaths and I don't think he did that when I first got him. The others had some small marks but this one had the worst of it. I want my slugs to have a comfortable life so does anyone know how to fix this before it gets worse? Or at least know what's wrong? I have many pictures but I don't know how to post them in this, so I'll need help with that. This is the reason I always suggest against bio-active enclosures. Before you even realise there are parasites present, they multiply in to the millions and cover everything. (that comment was unrelated and was in no way meant as an implication that the problem is any fault of your own). All I can suggest is that you get a bowl of clean water (tap water is fine but let it dechlorinate for at least 6 hours by letting it stand). Bath the slugs in it, gently rubbing their skin with your thumb. Don't re-introduce them to their enclosure until you have emptied, disinfected and thoroughly washed away any detergents used in cleaning. Fresh substrate, and wash hands thoroughly between handling anything dirty/contaminated and anything fresh. This wont solve the problem in the first attempt as the slugs will still have parasites on them that you were unable to get rid of in the bathing process. (You have to be very gentle, as this is not just down to what their skin can take, but down to stress to). Repeat cycle every 3-4 days (never less than 3, as the bathing is stressfull to the slugs and they need time to re-produce their protective layer - the slime). As long as you avoid cross contamination, this should solve the problem in as little as 3 attempts. If you use substrate that you have collected yourself, this could be part of the problem. Ensure you heat treat the substrate (about 200 degrees celsius for 5 minuets in the oven) before using. (this is not necessary on coir/sphagnum substrate). Ah, thank you for responding! I'll try to start on Monday. I can't remember what type of soil I used but do you have any specific suggestions because I'm going to have to buy some new dirt and I might as well get a better kind. |
|
|
|
Post by jroberts on Jun 26, 2017 19:59:28 GMT
This is the reason I always suggest against bio-active enclosures. Before you even realise there are parasites present, they multiply in to the millions and cover everything. (that comment was unrelated and was in no way meant as an implication that the problem is any fault of your own). All I can suggest is that you get a bowl of clean water (tap water is fine but let it dechlorinate for at least 6 hours by letting it stand). Bath the slugs in it, gently rubbing their skin with your thumb. Don't re-introduce them to their enclosure until you have emptied, disinfected and thoroughly washed away any detergents used in cleaning. Fresh substrate, and wash hands thoroughly between handling anything dirty/contaminated and anything fresh. This wont solve the problem in the first attempt as the slugs will still have parasites on them that you were unable to get rid of in the bathing process. (You have to be very gentle, as this is not just down to what their skin can take, but down to stress to). Repeat cycle every 3-4 days (never less than 3, as the bathing is stressfull to the slugs and they need time to re-produce their protective layer - the slime). As long as you avoid cross contamination, this should solve the problem in as little as 3 attempts. If you use substrate that you have collected yourself, this could be part of the problem. Ensure you heat treat the substrate (about 200 degrees celsius for 5 minuets in the oven) before using. (this is not necessary on coir/sphagnum substrate). Ah, thank you for responding! I'll try to start on Monday. I can't remember what type of soil I used but do you have any specific suggestions because I'm going to have to buy some new dirt and I might as well get a better kind. Most soil is suitable for banana slugs to be honest, but if your buying it id probably go for a high quality organic compost (fertiliser free). Possibly mix in some heat treated fallen forest foliage. |
|
|
|
Post by jroberts on Jun 26, 2017 20:01:24 GMT
This is the reason I always suggest against bio-active enclosures. Before you even realise there are parasites present, they multiply in to the millions and cover everything. (that comment was unrelated and was in no way meant as an implication that the problem is any fault of your own). All I can suggest is that you get a bowl of clean water (tap water is fine but let it dechlorinate for at least 6 hours by letting it stand). Bath the slugs in it, gently rubbing their skin with your thumb. Don't re-introduce them to their enclosure until you have emptied, disinfected and thoroughly washed away any detergents used in cleaning. Fresh substrate, and wash hands thoroughly between handling anything dirty/contaminated and anything fresh. This wont solve the problem in the first attempt as the slugs will still have parasites on them that you were unable to get rid of in the bathing process. (You have to be very gentle, as this is not just down to what their skin can take, but down to stress to). Repeat cycle every 3-4 days (never less than 3, as the bathing is stressfull to the slugs and they need time to re-produce their protective layer - the slime). As long as you avoid cross contamination, this should solve the problem in as little as 3 attempts. If you use substrate that you have collected yourself, this could be part of the problem. Ensure you heat treat the substrate (about 200 degrees celsius for 5 minuets in the oven) before using. (this is not necessary on coir/sphagnum substrate). Ah, thank you for responding! I'll try to start on Monday. I can't remember what type of soil I used but do you have any specific suggestions because I'm going to have to buy some new dirt and I might as well get a better kind. Id probably go for an organic (fertiliser free) compost. Maybe mix in some heat treated fallen forest foliage (about 25%) |
|
