Should I go to the vet?

[bitpshr]

Hey everyone. I've been lurking for a while and just now need to post for the first time. My ball python has always struggled with shedding -I'm in NC and the humidity hangs around 50% - but all-in-all he's been pretty healthy. No sickness or anything. Lately he has been showing the following symptoms:

• Dry, loose skin, even after a partial shed, for the past three months
• Eye-caps that are always dimpled, no matter what
• Rarely, if ever, see him drink water

What should I do? Should I get him a hygrometer-controlled humidifier (I already have the sensor and power strip, so this would be simple)? Would an extra 20% humidity really help the little guy? Any help would be awesome!

[KMG]

Your snake should not struggle and would not struggle to shed if your husbandry was correct. It does not sound like a vet is going to help much right now. It sounds like we need to fix your setup and get your snake the humidity it needs. Describe and post a pic of your setup so we can help.

A humidifier may help but it seems to me that your setup is not holding humidity so we probably need to make other changes before adding that. WE Should be able to get you to having great sheds without one.

[JPR]

Sounds like dehydration to me. Do you have a screen top terrarium?

[colton62]

Sounds like dehydration to me. Do you have a screen top terrarium?

If you do I recommend an appropriate sized tub with a heating pad hooked up to a thermostat or at least a rheostat. It sounds like mentioned earlier your ball python is lacking the correct humidity to properly shed because with correct humidity and set up it should shed perfectly.

[JPR]

If you do I recommend an appropriate sized tub with a heating pad hooked up to a thermostat or at least a rheostat. It sounds like mentioned earlier your ball python is lacking the correct humidity to properly shed because with correct humidity and set up it should shed perfectly.

Or, conversely, I used to get plexiglass cut to cover about 3/4 of the tank (leaving enough room for any lights you may have and ventilation). I then used aquarium safe silicone to secure it in place. Just make sure you have another place to keep your bp for the 24 hours it takes to cure fully.

[bitpshr]

Your snake should not struggle and would not struggle to shed if your husbandry was correct. It does not sound like a vet is going to help much right now. It sounds like we need to fix your setup and get your snake the humidity it needs. Describe and post a pic of your setup so we can help.

A humidifier may help but it seems to me that your setup is not holding humidity so we probably need to make other changes before adding that. WE Should be able to get you to having great sheds without one.

• Terrarium: I use a Zoo Med glass terrarium (rather large, I'd say 30 - 40 gallons) with a screen top.
• Substrate: I use Eco Earth natural substrate
• Water: I have a large water rock at all times, always full, with fresh water
• Heat: I use a thermostat-controlled heating pad on one side of the terrarium

Also, here's a crude picture of the setup:





Anything look horribly wrong? I feel bad for this guy

[colton62]

Or, conversely, I used to get plexiglass cut to cover about 3/4 of the tank (leaving enough room for any lights you may have and ventilation). I then used aquarium safe silicone to secure it in place. Just make sure you have another place to keep your bp for the 24 hours it takes to cure fully.

That's true too. I forgot about that, it looks a lot better than just a random tub lol.

[JPR]

As for your immediate issue (if it is dehydration) just give it a bath in a mostly covered container with lukewarm water. (The water should not feel warm to you)

[JPR]

• Terrarium: I use a Zoo Med glass terrarium (rather large, I'd say 30 - 40 gallons) with a screen top.
• Substrate: I use Eco Earth natural substrate
• Water: I have a large water rock at all times, always full, with fresh water
• Heat: I use a thermostat-controlled heating pad on one side of the terrarium

Also, here's a crude picture of the setup:





Anything look horribly wrong? I feel bad for this guy

I used to use a very similar terrarium. I got thin plexiglass cut to fill 3 out of the 4 sections of the top.

[JPR]

Oh and if you do give it a bath, only put enough water to cover about half of the bp.