Belly Rot?

[Mishy]

My spider balls belly isn't looking right. Her scales are wrinkled and look like their shedding but she just had a complete shed and it was intact, not flakey. There are a couple of discolored spots too. The substrate in her tank is dry, not wet, not damp.


Can anybody tell me what this is and how do I help her? I just lost my job and don't have money for a vet :,(


*MissMishyyy*

[The Serpent Merchant]

What are you using to heat the cage?

[tlich]

Are you using an uth? If so is it controlled with a thermostat or rheostat/light dimmer?

[Mishy]

I have a UTH. It's a Zoomed one. It doesn't have anything for me to control its temp.
She is on aspen bedding.
She is eating like normal but she's not moving around much which isn't like her. she is a cruiser.


*MissMishyyy*

[The Serpent Merchant]

The UTH is too hot and is burning your snake. If you don't regulate your UTH it can easily kill your snake. You need to either get a thermostat or stop using the UTH and get a heat lamp.

This is a good cheap thermostat.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZ..._bxgy_ol_img_b

[Mishy]

I just unplugged the heat mat. I will get her the thermostat. I feel so bad that I caused her pain. I didn't know they got hot enough to burn them. is there anything I can do to treat her burns? I don't want it to turn into rot.


*MissMishyyy*

[The Serpent Merchant]

Well the burn in the picture doesn't look too bad. I would put here on paper towel substrate and keep her cage hospital clean. Your BP doesn't look to be in too bad of shape so I would just keep n eye on her for now.

She will still need a heat source while you get a thermostat (unless you can get one today... but don't bother with the thermostats sold in pet stores they are a waste of money), a heat lamp or even the UTH can be used. (you can use a lamp dimmer to manually control the UTH)

You can soak your BP in a warm bath (water temp in the mid 80's) with diluted betadine solution. (you can get betadine in most drug stores. Do Not use any creams that are oil based like noesporin, they do more harm than good.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I agree that it's not bad yet. It isn't very red and hasn't begun to blister. It will go away on its own. Just keep the enclosure very clean. A betadine soak is ok to ensure no bad bacteria but there is no broken or open skin/scales so it will be fine. You caught it in time.


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[jnoh]

yeah, that's a simple case of skin dehydration, due to overheating of course. Ur UTH can get over 130 degrees if it isn't properly regulated. Its a good thing you caught it before it got WAY worse

[Mishy]

She already has a heat lamp. I as far as the betadine, what's the ratio and how long do I soak her? I will get a thermostat before I put the UTH back on.
I handle her every day (except after feed day of course) I noticed her belly didn't look quite right two days ago but I wasn't sure. When i looked today it was definately not to be ignored. I love my ball and ive put alot of time and love into nursing her. (her previous owner starved her almost to death. ) it's been a long road. I definitely don't want her to be harmed.


*MissMishyyy*