Help! My pythons scales are sluffing off!!
Please help if you can. My ball python has a section of scales that has slid off his body. Exposing the under skin. Maybe a 2 in. section. There is no sharp edges for him to drag along. Short of his hiding hole. It seems like he has an air pocket on the other side of the injury. And I'm scared he will do it again. Any idea as to why? Is his heat light too close. It wasn't feeding related. Please help. I feel like such a horrible pet owner. And I can't afford a vet right now. I am treating it with betadine and neosporin. Please pleas help!
Re: Help! My pythons scales are sluffing off!!
wow never heard of this before but i hate to say it looks like ur gonna have to pony up the dough for a vet visit cuz thats something that needs to be looked at and post pictures too
Re: Help! My pythons scales are sluffing off!!
yeah, sounds like a burn...is the heat lamp in the enclosure? or is the heat source regulated in any way?... I've heard a lot of people say vet's take payment plans often, that's probably your best bet...I'm sorry to hear of your situation :-/
Re: Help! My pythons scales are sluffing off!!
If you have to ask if the heat lamp is "too close" then that makes me about 99% certain that IS the problem and you have a very serious burn to deal with.
These are hardy snakes, and they can survive such an injury....but without some competent vet care, the chances of survival are small. The risk of infection is high...and an infection from a wound like that would almost certainly be fatal without medical intervention.
The very FIRST thing you have to do is get that heat lamp out of there and away from the snake. Study our care sheet and figure out how to make the enclosure both safe and secure, as well as sterile. No loose bedding that can get stuck on the wound....clean paper only.
And then figure out a way to see a vet. :(