Blister disease

I have a few friends who are into ball python and some of them aren't too bright. In this case, I was visiting a friend who owns a 700g-ish male that suffered a VERY bad case of blister disease in January. He didn't seek veterinary care, even when the blistered and peeled scales reached over 1/2 of the snake's length. Watching this poor animal suffer was horrifying. The snake survived with a combination of paper towel bedding, daily betadine baths, and lots of TLC. Said friend can no longer keep the snake and I am going to take it in as a pet only, since the disease reached the vent area and scarred the entire region. No sense taking risk with breeding, right? I inspected him for mites/infections earlier this week and noticed something distressing.

All along the disease area, the snake's wide belly scutes are completely gone. The smaller scute-like scales immediately to either side of the belly (where track markers would be) have come together and healed over the affected area. Snake doesn't appear to be in any pain and is eating/defecating normally. My question is will the missing scutes grow back, or is this a permanently scarred area? Is there anything I can do to encourage scale regrowth? I would say the injury is 98% healed. Sorry, didn't think to take pics. :colbert:

I feel so bad for this boy. I have a nice QT tank ready for him and after that a lovely display cage.

The reptile in question sounds like it would benefit most from a trip to a vet.


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Originally Posted by martin82531

The reptile in question sounds like it would benefit most from a trip to a vet.

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I would agree if there was anything a vet could do. Sadly, at this point the disease is nearly completely healed and there is no sign of continuing infection. My primary concern is the lack of belly scutes, which don't seem to affect the snake aside from being a cosmetic eyesore.

Hopefully someone here can chime is that has some experience with the disease. I said a vet just because they may know more than most of the lasting effects of such a disease. If not, a google search of "blister disease ball python" seemed to populate some results that may help.


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Thanks for the suggestion in any case. Some help is better than none at all :)

I asked for a pic and this is what the owner sent. Maybe it sheds a little more light on the issue. Just a few months ago this entire region was thick, crusted with brown and black, and had visible muscle/tendons underneath.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2w24dpk.jpg

Poor little guy. I'm glad u are taking him in. Kuddos.

Called a vet friend and showed her the pic. I didn't see them at first, but there are tiny scutes regrowing over the damaged area and they should completely regrow over time. Sadly, damage to the vent and hemipenes and missing anal spur will never heal 100% and he may have defecation issues. Only time will tell.

Did the blisters only occur on the belly? If so if say it's a burn. Not blister disease.

Belly was mostly affected with fluid-filled browning scales but there were also small fluid-filled blisters on the sides and top. These vanished after one shed, or so I'm told.

Did they have a heat rock?