Feeding problems and skin bumps

[sylverspyster]

My brother and I both own an 8 month old ball python. To give a sense of time today is Feb 8th, and two weeks ago last night we fed a live feeder rat to him. He ate the rat up to the hind legs, and then spit him back out. It seemed to be of appropriate size, where the size of the feeder was the right width of the widest part of the snake. After spitting out the feeder he would be trying climbing up the walls of his terrarium like in a panic.

I read somewhere that after a failed feeding that we should try feeding him a week later. Last night we tried feeding him again with a new feeder rat. Now he would act as if he was afraid of the rat. He would move away almost in fear whenever the rat moved in close to him.

The problem I’m more concerned about are these bumps all over his body. Can anyone tell me what the problem could be?

From what I know, his temperatures are correct. He’s got two choices in tight hiding spots and he has fresh water all the time.

While my brother and I are worried about him feeding properly I read on here that it’s not abnormal for a ball python to go for weeks without feeding so right now we’re more concerned about the bumps on his skin.

Thanks.

[Broseph]

do you have any pics of these bumps?

[JLC]

Definitely a better description and pics of the bumps would help us discuss them with you. However, only a qualified vet can truly diagnose a problem and treat it.


How long have you owned the snake? Where did you get it? Has it always had these "bumps" or did they just pop up recently?

[Broseph]

i agree, if your worried then a vet check is the best way to go...

Definitely a better description and pics of the bumps would help us discuss them with you. However, only a qualified vet can truly diagnose a problem and treat it.


How long have you owned the snake? Where did you get it? Has it always had these "bumps" or did they just pop up recently?

[AzureN1ght]

By "bumps", do you mean he scales are lifted in places? Have you noticed any black bugs in his water dish or on your hands after handling him? The "bumps" -could- be mites...

[sylverspyster]

Firstly, thank you all for your abundant and quick replies.

I am at work right now, so I can't get any pictures at the moment. But I will post them up as soon as I can.

We've owned the snake for 3 weeks so far. I live in Canada, so the pet store we got him at is called PJ's Pet Center.

These bumps showed up around last week. And they almost look like hives. Some of them raise his scales and some of them don't.

As for his water dish, I didn't see any black dots (ticks/mites). When we brought him home, I did notice one tick/mite crawling around. But that was it, I don't know if it had anything to do with the feeder rat he had two weeks ago.

[recycling goddess]

he definitely needs to be seen by a vet... call and make an appt now

[ryandlf]

Sounds scary...i'd be going nuts until I get to that vet!

[sho220]

Sounds like it might be blister disease? What is the humidity?

[recycling goddess]

what's blister disease???