skin problems-dehydration

[secci208]

I had posted a message saying my ball python had patches of skin with no scales. sorry but this message was not accurate. i have found out that he is dehydrated and the scales were dried out appearing dull, wrinkled, flat, and skin like. I have also found out my thermometer doesn't work properly and his cage was over heated. Well i have made adjustments to his tank, new thermometer being the first, smaller under tank heater and larger water bowl for more humidity. He's doing better, but does anyone have suggestions for how to take care of his already dried out skin? He drinks water fine, but can i put anything on his dried skin to help it regain moisture, or give him something to drink that will keep him hydrated better? And will this cause problems when he sheds? Sorry about the wrong information last time, i'm still new at this and i was a little panicky. Hopefully, i'll do better now. thanks for any tips or suggestions

[mr86mister]

Do you have a hydrometer in its enclosure?

[littleindiangirl]

Do you have a hydrometer in its enclosure?

Hygrometer, hydrometer's are used in aquariums to measure salinity.

[MelissaFlipski]

Make sure his humidity is 50-60%.

He could be about to shed. But if he really is dehydrated, give him a soak in warm water about 1/2 as deep as your snake is thick in a NON-airtight container - set it inside his enclosure to keep the water warm. 20 - 30 minutes should be plenty. Do it now and in a few days and see if he improves. If not, take him to a vet.

Good luck!
Melissa

[secci208]

i do have a hygrometer in his tank and it registers a couple points above 50%. thanks for the soaking suggestion, i'll buy a dish and let him sit in it for awhile. we'll see if it helps, hopefully it will.

thanks

[MelissaFlipski]

Has he had a shed with you yet? If he has any problems shedding, give him a little extra time. If he still has retained shed on his head, especially eyecaps, there is a great tutorial here at:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=43403

[mr86mister]

haha. yes thank you littleindiangirl. I get my saltwater tanks and my Ball Python stuff mixed up sometimes...lol.

[secci208]

He hasn't shed yet and i've had him for about 4 weeks now. He's an avid eater and still young so i'm expecting he'll shed pretty soon.

[MelissaFlipski]

Can you post a picture of him? That would help us know if he is dehydrated or simply about to shed. Are his eyes cloudy/blueish? Is his belly at all pink? Is the dryness all over or only in a few spots?

[secci208]

His eyes aren't blueish or cloudy and his belly is white, no pink. i'll post some pictures as soon as i can. i just have to learn how to post first....i sound so far behind the times, lol. i've never had to post before. I'll try anyway.