What's wrong with this boa?

[Rapture]

A friend of mine keeps a boa, and when we took it out today we noticed this mark on its underside. Any thoughts on what it is or what would cause something like this? Here's a photo:

[ladywhipple02]

Kinda looks like the beginnings of scale/belly rot. Has the snake been soaking a lot or is it's substrate wet most of the time?

I'd get it to a vet, first off, to make sure what it is. A short term treatment for scale rot, however, is this: clean the area around and on the affected scales with a cotton swab dipped in 50/50 water/hydrogen-peroxide. When it's thoroughly cleaned, rub on Polysporin (like neosporin... found in the same isle). Make sure you rub it into the scales. You have to do this---clean and polysporin---twice a day.

Again, though, I'd get him to a vet... that's an awfully large affected area.

[Laooda]

Hi, (I'm the "friend".... My "friend" turned me onto the list tonight after we noticed the mark. So, Thanks for the anwser! This was a real shock to find. She's been acting herself- not over soaking, her bedding is always clean and dry.... She was an inport, but I've had her 3yrs. now and never had a problem. Till now I will do what was recomended above! Again, thanks!

Could this be a possible injury? It looks so much like a bruise!?!?!

[frankykeno]

What type of heating do you use for this snake?

[sweety314]

Older burn maybe from a heat rock, or your UTH has a hot spot/missing a thermometer/rheostat???????

[Laooda]

She's on an UTH.... That was my first thought. (burn) I'm gonna check out the UTH and see if it's gone whacky.... THANKS for the input! I'm still gonna flush it w/ the perox. mix and use the ointment. Can't hurt. I've got to locate a local rep. vet Mon... (We just moved 6 mo. ago). I've never heard of an UTH causing a burn, but it would be my luck! lol

[ladywhipple02]

If UTH's go haywire they canget extremely hot and burn the snake. They treatment I prescribed can be used for burns, too. But, yeah, definately get the snake to a vet to make sure.

[Laooda]

Absoutelly! I'll be on the hunt for a local one Mon.


Thanks again for the info..... This forum seems to be very helpful!

[Laooda]

This is from a few months ago.... "soaking"!

[ladywhipple02]

Lord, that's a beautiful snake. Is it a BCC or BCI? Looks like it's got some suriname in it with that tail... *sigh* Very, very pretty.