Bloody vent after sheds...

I think that I remember reading somewhere that bloody vents after shedding is fairly common. I was wondering if someone can give me more info on the subject. Does it generally occur in both males and females? Is it abnormal to occur with every shed? If not, should consistant bleeding of the vent area with sheds be something to worry about? Is there potential for bacteria to infect whatever is bleeding? And any more info would be appreciated ;)

It's common.

I see it more in females than in males.

They actually shed the skin on the inside of their vent. Remember, the females scent glands and males hemipenes are actually external organs that are stored in an inverted position inside of the tail and like all of the other external parts of the snake, the skin around them is shed as well.

The blood comes from the shed skin detaching from the soft tissue. It seems to me that some girls (and boys) tend to pull the shed skin off the tissue more aggressively than others which causes the bleeding. More laid back snakes seem to "go with the flow better" and gently work the skin off with no bleeding.

No need to worry about infection, the area is not sterile.

Unless the bleeding persists for more than 12-24 hours after the shed there is really nothing to worry about.

Think of it like when you cut your finger nails too close and you get some blood. It stops pretty quick and if you pick your nose right after you're not going to get an infection. ;)

I LOVE paper … it shows EVERYTHING! :D

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I LOVE paper … it shows EVERYTHING! :D

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ha ha....that is how I knew that my female shed today......I would have never know by peaking in.....but there was a slight 'blood trail' by her hide.

With my snakes, it happens pretty commonly and I have always just figured it as normal. But I was just concerned that repeated bleeding might be the sign of a problem (I looked at my notes, my normal female has had signs of blood the last three sheds).

Thanks

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

With my snakes, it happens pretty commonly and I have always just figured it as normal. But I was just concerned that repeated bleeding might be the sign of a problem (I looked at my notes, my normal female has had signs of blood the last three sheds).

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Only a problem if it doesn't stop within a day. Sounds like she's growing and fiesty! :D

-adam

It always stops right after the shed.

ha ha....not growing at all, actually lost a few grams...two months between sheds this time around.....she is still hovering around 1250 grams and has not ate a thing for over a month.....but she is fiesty ;)

I might drop something in there tonight to see if the fresh shed got her in the mood.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

I might drop something in there tonight to see if the fresh shed got her in the mood.

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Got any rain on the way? ;)

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Got any rain on the way? ;)

-adam

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...no chance of rain....although it did sprinkle a bit yesterday...ha ha..

It would be nice if she was a little bigger and I was worrying about dropping in my normal male instead of a mouse ;)

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Think of it like when you cut your finger nails too close and you get some blood. It stops pretty quick and if you pick your nose right after you're not going to get an infection. ;)

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Adam you sure have a way with words!! LMAO!! :giggle: It must be all that high class..... :lmao:

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Adam you sure have a way with words!! LMAO!! :giggle: It must be all that high class..... :lmao:

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You're right ... I should have said toe nail! :P

-adam

LMAO!! You're such a sweet talker. :neener: