Ball Python Rescue

[green_man]

Greetings everyone.

I am going to rescue a ball python from a local pet store today. The poor guy is in sad shape. He looks to have had several bad sheds, he is underweight, and he looks to have some scale rot. The store is selling him to me for half off. I am hoping I can get him into better shape.
I have a settup ready for him. It is a sterilite. The humidity is at 65, but I am thinking of upping it for the next week or so to help him shed.

I have helped my other ball python shed in the past (soaked him, then held on to his skin while he wiggled out) and I was wondering if this would be ok for this ball python. He is shedding in patches so I am going to try the old wet towel trick first. I guess I am just a little worried about agitating the scale rot. What do you guys think?

I also read on another post about letting a dehydrated ball soak in some water with a spoon full on pedialyte mixed in. Any thoughts there?

I am also wondering how long I should wait to try to feed him. The store said he is acctually a good feeder but he still looks too skinny.

This will be my first rescue so any advice would be great.
Thanks guys

green-man

[gozetec02]

As far as upping the humidity i would instead construct a humid hide so he can go in there after you soak him this way he dont dry out again.

Good luck with the rescue I have rescued many ball pythons some didnt make it and some didnt but be proud in your effort because we are proud of your effort.

[Marla]

Give it the ol' damp towel trick and see how he does. Unless his skin is wrinkly-loose or his eyes are dented, I'd skip the Pedialyte for now and see how he does with an enclosure with increased humidity for the next week or two first. If he doesn't need the Pedialyte, you can throw his electrolytes out of balance. Damien's suggestion of a humid hide is a good idea, too. Good luck with him, and definitely keep us updated on progress.

[sophie42204]

Good for you for giving him a happy home. I hope he turns around for you!!

[green_man]

well I got him a few hours ago...

I let him soak for about 45 minutes and we had no problems getting off the shed. He got most of it and I helped with the rest. He looks to be a bit dehydrated (had a dent in one eye) but the soak seems to have helped. Im sure he drank some water too.

Now that his shed is gone I can see the extent of the scale rot and it isnt pretty, but im pretty sure he will be ok.
I put some neosporin along his back where the rot is. Now I guess we wait and see what happens.
Ill give him a week to settle in and then try to feed.

He is suprisingly calm for all of what he has been through. He was a real sport about letting me help him shed and applying neosporin.
Wish us luck!
thanks for the advice guys! (im about to build him a humid hide)

oh yeah, and his name is Bones

[Marla]

It sounds like you're off to a good start with him! One or maybe two more sheds and the scale rot will probably be gone with dry substrate and daily applications of Neosporin, unless it's really bad. By the way, if he turns cranky with you in a week or three, don't worry. It just means he's feeling better.

[JamminJonah]

Unless his skin is wrinkly-loose or his eyes are dented, I'd skip the Pedialyte for now and see how he does with an enclosure with increased humidity for the next week or two first. If he doesn't need the Pedialyte, you can throw his electrolytes out of balance.

Wow! Did not know that it could throw electrolytes out of balance thanks for that info Marla!

[green_man]

Thanks Marla, if thats the case I hope he bites me! (jk)
Ill keep up the neosporin. He is still a youngin. Id say about 6-10 months, so he should shed fairly quickly. Now I just hope I can get him to eat for me.

[Marla]

Unless his skin is wrinkly-loose or his eyes are dented, I'd skip the Pedialyte for now and see how he does with an enclosure with increased humidity for the next week or two first. If he doesn't need the Pedialyte, you can throw his electrolytes out of balance.

Wow! Did not know that it could throw electrolytes out of balance thanks for that info Marla!

Yep, just like people who drink Gatorade when they're not being active. Not gonna kill ya, but not a good idea either.

[Marla]

Green man, if you think he is in decent shape, I trust your judgement and bet you will be able to get him to eat for you, though I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a few weeks. Good luck, and definitely update us.