EMERGENCY | My Ball Python's Scales Just Split

I wrote a note and gave it to her to hand to the vet or whoever is at the counter if he is not available.

I might. I'll get his name. He tried to make small talk with me while Dave was in critical condition.

Him: "Do you know the three names ball pythons are called?"
Me Internally: "My snake has an open gash inches away from his head."

I'm not exactly one who speaks up. I shy away a lot which is a big problem for me.

I am sorry to hear about Dave and am glad that you were able to take him to a vet. I will be keeping you and your snabber in my thoughts for a successful road to recovery. 😁

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Originally Posted by Nixon

I wrote a note and gave it to her to hand to the vet or whoever is at the counter if he is not available.

I might. I'll get his name. He tried to make small talk with me while Dave was in critical condition.

Him: "Do you know the three names ball pythons are called?"
Me Internally: "My snake has an open gash inches away from his head."

I'm not exactly one who speaks up. I shy away a lot which is a big problem for me.

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Maybe he was just trying to make small talk. At least he knew something about them. You could even just call them tonight. Maybe they have a answering machine, then you could make sure they find out about your concerns. Or in the morning when they open.

I know, but was on the bridge of crying. I am worried for my snake and he was informed my snake was in a bad position. It came off as rude to me because I have something that needs medical treatment right away and he's trying to have a tea party.

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Originally Posted by Nixon

I know, but was on the bridge of crying. I am worried for my snake and he was informed my snake was in a bad position. It came off as rude to me because I have something that needs medical treatment right away and he's trying to have a tea party.

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Try not to take it personally .... that is one tactic that doctors use to try and take your mind away from the actual situation at hand, but make no mistake that most good doctors are very good at muti-tasking, in all honesty he could probably sense that you were hurting about the situation and was only trying to lead your thoughts away from the pain he sensed you were feeling .... veterinarians especially use this tactic as most owners are at a more heightened emotional state usually when dealing with a pet because the pet unlike an ill human cannot talk back to let you know what they are feeling ... hang in there :gj:

I was not aware of that. But I wasn't in the mood at all for small talk, nor him getting extremely close to my face. Thanks for letting me know, though.

I hope little Dave pulls through. I feel like he'll need tons of antibiotics and pedilight in his drinking water just so he can get nutrients in him


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That was one thing I found out because Dave has been deprived of nutrients for basically his entire life he's going to need more than just mice now. I know there's supplements you can put on the mice or as you said something to put in the water. If it's slipped skin then he needs a lot more vitamin C is what I read.

Not that it's any better... But as a female when I needed to work with owners with seriously in need pets, it was absolutely part of my job to keep the owner calm. I've brought people coffee, chatted, hugged.... Whatever it took.

i needed them calm so I can get the info I needed, and with some animals, if the owner has a strong negative owner, so will they. It became habit. it also helps to chat, to see how much the person knows about normal care.

I didnt know know them at all. So I picked a random did you know fact.... And used the conversation to find out if I need to go get some reading material for them. Perhaps a change in diet... Anything.

As as to the getting close thing.... Many people, when upset like closeness. If all of my normal tactic didn't work I would shift closer to see if that helped. i never found it an issue, but I've always looked at least ten year younger than I actually am, so perhaps that lessons the creepiness?

It sounds like this vet knows their stuff. Rude perhaps, but competent. If it's the only herp vet around, beware alienating them.

My fingers are still crossed, and I'm hoping it isn't slipped skin.

I can see that but I did not need to be calmed. I was fine when I entered and was ready to answer questions but the minute he started doing that it really peeved me. I was here to help my snake not to chit chat and he had such a condescending attitude that I didn't like him from the minute he spoke to me about nonsense. My train of thought was actually completely thrown off because my brain needs to stay focused on one thing and not answer questions that do not relate to it. That's just how I function. I wasn't going to jump to conclusions. I wasn't going to lash out. I can control myself in times of great crisis, especially since I've gotten a lot of information from you guys. I just couldn't handle him at that moment because I was here for Dave and only Dave. The faster he gets help, the better.

I'm not a talker either. I get to the point. I don't sugarcoat it. I don't want to sugarcoat it. When I'm focused on something I'm focused on it and it's not going to change. And when someone tries to throw me off track then I get angry. Last time I took my snake to the vet because I thought she had an intestinal problem (though she turned out healthy) the vet got straight to the point, asked me about my husbandry and checked out my snake. That's what I'm used to. That's what I want.

If I came into the vet nearly having a mental breakdown or panic attack then those questions would make sense. But I was calm, I was patient, and I was simply waiting for Dave to get treatment.

(This is great because I can access this site at my school on the craptop they give us.)

Haha I was just looking at the time thinking hey why aren't you at school.

anyways, just wanted to give you a different viewpoint. I love how much you care for your animals.
now pay attention to the teacher! 😉

It was first period and we were sitting around because we switch around roles in Driver's Ed. There's a group who are doing real driving, some doing simulators, and others sit at the table and do other work. I was one of those sitting at the table. I didn't go to school yesterday because I wanted to be with Dave so I didn't have any work that I knew of so I studied a bit and found out I could go on this forum.

Now I'm typing in between assemblies. (Spring break starts tomorrow so there's a multi-cultural show that I have for three periods straight.)

Hey Nixon, I've been lurking on this thread since it started. Just wanted to say I love the passion your showing for your little guy. No one really understands why I wanted a snake either so I know a little bit on how you feel. I read a thread on an aussie board about slipped skin disease (hopefully not what Dave has) and I have to say the difference between you and that owner is night and day. Don't give up hope and stay strong. You're awesome :gj:

Nixon. I saw u are from IL, where about? I am in Elgin.

Thank you so much. It means a lot that you say that. I truly felt bad for the conditions Dave was living in and how he was before. He went to a bad owner to a bad owner and he stayed just as sickly. I never knew how bad he was until I took him for the first time and felt all of his ribs. You don't even need to press down to feel them, it's literally like there's no mass in him. He has gained 40 grams since I have gotten him and he's been mostly getting out urates but there was one log. I don't expect a lot of poop as he need all he can get.

But from the very beginning I made a vow to help him. If he fights, I will too. And if everyone else around me wants me to get up then I'm going to ignore them. Dave is getting so much support from you guys and it's in a pure light that he deserves to be saved. I know this passion will last. I'm so happy my dad convinced me to get a ball python. If I hadn't, I have a feeling Dave would have this disease and the owner would do nothing but wait for them to die. I told my friend who has the step dad and she told him and he said that it was probably the mouse bite.

It wasn't. Minutes after I knew the mouse bit him I saw that. The skin was visible and the scales had split open. It was there before the mouse bite. I did notice his scales were extremely loose, but I thought that was because of his thinness. It was because of something else, though.

I'm not letting this snake be mistreated any longer. And most people here wish for him to come out alive and live the rest of his years in a better home. I'll try my absolute best to make that happen. I want him to be healthy, he wants to be healthy, everyone wants to see this guy slither about with no worries.

But thank you so much. Thank you all for the support and the help. It pushes me farther than I already was. I am determined to give him a good recovery. We're all in this together, even if you guys are not present.

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I live near Chicago.

Don't know how far you are from me, but there is a mobile vet that travels around, that way you wouldn't need a ride, and he is a herp vet. He is at a lot of the shows.

Hang in there, and good luck bringing Dave around! He's lucky to have you. I can't offer any more advice beyond what you've already gotten, but I hope you'll keep us all updated with what happens.

Also, if the vet is creeping you out, it isn't your fault for feeling creeped out. Some people are just not great at social skills and personal space, and you have every right to feel creeped out if you're a kid and some adult is being overbearing. I don't know if you're a boy or a girl, but that's an especially common experience for teenage girls unfortunately (and happens to boys sometimes too), and you don't have to be convinced that it's OK or that you're wrong to feel uncomfortable.

That said, as you know unfortunately you aren't in a position to take your snake elsewhere, so you will just have to put up with it until Dave's issues are resolved. But once the whole business is over with, you might write a letter to the vet clinic to let them know he made you feel uncomfortable.

Maybe he is just much better at dealing with animals than with people.... that being why he's a vet, not an MD.

Bcycling, what's the name? For now I will stick with this vet unless something happens and he gets worse or needs better treatment. But I'll keep it in mind for the future.

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Thank you. I'll make sure Dave knows that everyone is rooting for him.

I'm a girl. He just acted very strange in general. I see what you mean, working better with animals than humans because that is me in face to face situations. I only want him to get my snake on the road to recovery. I might report on how he was a bit creepy but if he does a good job, if Dave starts healing, then I won't say anything. It'll make me happy enough to let it go. I honestly don't care what he does to me because it's what he does to the snake that matters.

http://vetmobl.com

he really seems to know his stuff

Thank you. I'll look more into it when I'm at home. Some things are blocked on the school computer.

Dave has come back from the vet.

Get this:

They managed to stitch up his big gash but there was a smaller one on his body from a mouse bite. It was the size of 1 or 2 centimeters and they couldn't stitch that one up so now it's the size of a dime. His gash looks to be poorly stitched as there's still some open parts of it but I'm not sure how limited they were with him because he scales are so weak. He's sedated currently and I made him a cardboard home because paper towels won't do for the time being. He defiantly needs a lot of rest. I'll be applying antibiotic cream twice a day and we will be feeding him very small mice that are not bigger than the diameter of his neck so it doesn't break the stitches. I will be spraying the mice with a vitamin supplement that only gives Vitamin C.

This is his new wound given by the vets:

http://i65.tinypic.com/2n6ubcz.jpg

And these are his stitches:

http://i63.tinypic.com/2ai52zc.jpg

*Sighs* It's something... We needed antibiotics. There was another vet but we'd have to wait longer. He needs antibiotics so that's not a good choice.

Because oddly enough...

When my mom was at the regular Pet Supplies Plus we go to for feeder mice, she had met a guy who owns ball pythons himself and knows us. He told my mom that his friend had told him about a snake that had come into the vet and they said they saw a snake who looked like they had 'spontaneous rupture of skin' which is basically the slipped skin disease. They said it looked to be it. I need to find this employee at Pet Supplies Plus and ask more about it. This is an opportunity for more support and possibly better care. I know, it's bad that he more than likely has it but if we know what it is, we know how to treat it.

My mom didn't get his name but remembered what he looked like and we have the fact he owns snakes so that'll help if we ask for him.

Until then, Dave is now on top of the cardboard box trying to get out. Nobody can wear this guy down, not even drugs. I gave him a plastic dish for water because there's no way I'm using the water bowl given to me by the previous owner because that thing is constantly getting algae. It's gross. He needs fresh water.

I'm more than half asleep and I'm not sure I processed that all right... He came back more injured?

Well im glad he got antibiotics, glad you've got a lead to go on. Still have hopes for this poor thing! Glad for the update

I think so. I haven't seen snake stitches before and I can't tell if those are terrible, bad, or normal. And the other gash got larger so at that point, yes, it got worse. As long as he has something to prevent infection, the wounds will have time to heal.

Wow with those new pictures the scales look so brittle. To be honest with you, I don't know that I'd look to more stitches. I just don't see how they will hold, but that's for a conversation with your vet. Poor guy is going to be a day by day case. Keep him clean and in a very safe environment. You've done everything you can.

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It just occurred to me, this guy and the other animal I read about with this disease were chronically malnourished so it follows that this condition is a possible result of a nutritional deficiency. If so a round of steroids and general vitamins might do him some good. It's a long shot but something else you might discuss with your vet.

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My mom noticed his scales seemed 'different'. She described them as dry. They don't look healthy. I don't like the idea of stitches either. Hopefully they'll help heal his gash faster but it completely messed up his other one.

And that's what we're going to do: give him vitamins. I have Vitamin C supplements. He probably needs a few others but for now we will stick with this. I also got some cage liner so I don't waste paper towels. Tomorrow since I have no school I will completely sanitize his cage, put in the cage liner and the rest of what he needs and take it from there. I'll be checking for things to spot clean daily and this is something I must clean at least once a week. I'm not risking infection, even with the antibiotics. I might take some more money out of my bank account (as I'm paying for the medical bill) to buy more supplements. He's deprived of most likely everything.

Sounds like you're doing all that you can for him.

Another thought - if you don't have a regular job yet, perhaps you can ask your neighbors if there are any odd jobs you can do for cash over the next week so you can replenish your savings in case another vet visit is needed.

I do believe there's some people I know who will accept some work. My neighbors creep me out but my dad's boss always let my sister rake leaves, mow the lawn, shovel the driveway, etc. I look into it.

Poor Dave. Little guy needs to be in a plastic ball. But maybe the non flavor pedilight will help it'll give him vitamins. I don't know really anything else that you can really do


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At least the second injury looks more normal than the one that was stitched... It'll probably take awhile to heal, but I don't see any pockets (like the gap between the skin and muscle in the first gash) for infection to really get in there and 'hide' so I think just keeping it clean until it heals over should be enough.

If you can keep him from getting infected until he gets up to a healthy weight and his body has time to correct whatever nutritional issues are likely causing the brittle skin, I think he stands a decent chance.

I had a snake with a severe skin issues several years ago; hers were due to a really rare mammalian parasite, but it destroyed the connective tissue and changed the texture of the skin, making it brittle and far too soft. Even after the parasite issue was remedied, it took a LONG time for her skin to get back to normal because her body had to 'rebuild' a lot of the skin. Your guy is probably going to have a long recovery process ahead of him, but it seems like he's in good hands.

20-ish years ago I took my ferrets to Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital. At that time one or more of the vets worked with Brookfield Zoo. The staff and ownership have changed since then, but they're still who the practice we take our dog to recommends for exotics. Website says they're currently on the Oak Park/Chicago border. No clue how they're located in relation to Metra/Pace lines.

http://www.midwestexotichospital.com

And as a bonus, all the doctors listed on the website are women, so much less creepiness risk. (Will not rant, will not rant, will not rant...).


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They gave us a piece of paper saying what happened and what else to do and it said something along the lines of, 'could not suture the laceration on the abdomen, possibly due to an underlying infection.' I high doubt that. It's because his scales are so weak and there was really not a lot to grip onto. He doesn't show any signs of infection and I know they can hide but as you said, there's no where for them to hide.

Thank you for sharing that. I know it'll be a long time but I'm willing to be with him the entire way through.

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Thank you. I'll keep them in mind. I honestly don't get creeped out by either gender unless they give me a reason to. Thank you for sharing.

PS: I live in Palatine, work in Bartlett.


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My mom had given the note to the doctors and they are going to start giving him Vitamin C shots.

This is fantastic.

Best wishes for You and Dave . I sure hope he can pull through , we're rooting for you guys .

Thank you.

We got back from our second visit to the vet because he's set to get antibiotic shots. I don't know what happened in the time frame they had him in the back, but when he came out his scales had split a third time. Now we have three wounds to treat. Great.

He's getting is Vitamin C shots and he got his first one today. He's getting them everyday and we were shown how to do it as we're going have to deliver them ourselves. He squirmed a lot. We're going to need three people just for this two and a half foot snake. I can't imagine Burmese or Reticulated python in this situation. That'd be more than just rough.

I'm glad all of you are rooting for Dave and helping along the way. I know he can pull through this. They're actually giving the Vitamin C shots for free because my mom told them about the note I wrote about "slipped skin disease" and the doctors researched it and basically, since they thought it was what was going on - offered the shots for free because I 'diagnosed' it. I couldn't have done it without you guys though. Thank you for telling me of that. It's bad that he might have it but the doctors are now aware because that was not in their medical books. It'll make it easier for the next one who comes in.

Have him stick his head (and however much more of him will fit) in a paper towel tube, that will keep him from thrashing around too much.

Ask the vet if he ought to have one or two injections of a multi-vitamin. If he's been malnourished for so long I feel like he'd benefit from it. Or, if he's drinking, you could add a liquid multivite to his water. Or inject it into his mouse if he eats pre-killed. However it gets into him, it just seems like a good idea. But ask the vet first.

Yeah, I really think he should be given more vitamins. I'll ask.

How is Dave?


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Originally Posted by Solarsoldier001

How is Dave?


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+1

His scales seem less loose than they were before. He's still wrinkly but I can't pull them out as far. With that, his affected areas are getting extremely dry due to the antibiotic cream. I really don't know what to do about that. It's dried out, crinkled and whiter. He also seems to be bleeding way less where his stitches are. So possibly thing are healing up and maybe the Vitamin C is working for his scales.

He still eats which is a good sign. He tried to eat my finger. I fed him and then I had to moved him and he thought my finger was food and bit it and curled around my hand. My first snake bite. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. He let go after he realized, though. I do notice that he is not exactly the strongest with his coils but that's why we have dead mice.

So, we've been giving him shots of Vitamin C every night and every night he puts up more of a fight. I think he's getting stronger.

Still, through all of this, he's still a curious little guy, always flicking his tongue out and trying to squirm about. I have a good feeling he'll make it through this.

Man I'm glad to hear that he seems to be doing well!

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Omg best of luck! I hope that he heals up and everything is fine

Sounds like Dave is headed in the right direction... do keep us all posted!

If he's eating well then I almost have no doubts that he will make it! I'm glad he's showing improvements!


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This makes me so happy!!! YAY

Another emotional rollercoaster ride... never a dull moment in the herp world. So glad to hear he is doing better!! Sending best wishes for a full recovery. :)

He's been a good eater since I've gotten him. I wouldn't turn down food if I was starved like him so I don't blame him. But it's good to see he's feeling well enough to chow down. I'll be feeding him again today since the last time I only had two mice. (These mice are very small. They're fuzzies and we're feeding him that so he doesn;t break his stitches. The stitches are four inches from his head so it's the thinner part of him.) He'll get a good meal today.

I remember a week ago I had put a dead mouse in his cage because he's willing to go after them even if they're not moving and he came out, and he sniffed around for it and he sniffed a place where I had originally dropped it but moved it to be closer to his hiding spot and he tried eating the air. It was pretty funny. He got the mouse eventually and I was worried he couldn't see but it was probably a one time thing because he went after others just fine. He didn't miss my finger. I know that. I thought it was pretty cute to see though: him biting the air thinking a mouse was there and then there's nothing and he looks up like - "???"

He's very sweet. When I get home I'll hook up my camera and post a real cute picture of him peeping out of his little cardboard home. I love that picture because it makes me wonder how anyone could neglect such a beautiful and adorable creature.

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That being said - the first time I received Dave and his scales were not splitting I noticed how skinny he was and I held him by his tail and he basically remained straight. I did it again yesterday and he moved himself up and got back up to by arm with no help. Well, he didn't make it over my arm. He actually just touching it with his nose and stayed up in that position. I really think he's getting stronger. That, and how much of a fight he puts up with the shots.

This little guy is a fighter and I'm sharing this story with everyone who I know would care. I even sent my teacher who has owned a ball python this thread so she can see the journey he's going through. You guys have helped a lot and you still are. I'm sure Dave is glad he has so many people cheering him on. He's defiantly a lesson that can be taught around. Dave has been through his whole life with mistreatment and malnutrition yet he continues to go about, flicking his tongue, and acting healthy and happy even if he is hurt. It's not his job to cheer others up but he does. When I'm feeling down about him being in this condition I look at how optimistic he is and tell myself to fight with him because that's we he wants. That's what everyone wants. We have hope for him and I think he has hope for himself.

Even if it was a bit rushed, and I wasn't prepared to take Dave... I'm glad I did. I'm not the best. Not close at all. But I'm better than his other owners. And the way her step-father gave Dave to me it really felt like he didn't love him. He only cared about his bigger snakes because they're giant and 'cooler'. It's sad my friend couldn't do anything about it.

I know that she loves Dave. I love Dave. We all love Dave.

I also forgot to mention and I found this out yesterday that Dave's open gashes where the skin looks to be is way dark than before and in fact - hard. When they open, it's a very, very light pink color but now it's a darker sort of light brown color. I felt over it when I was putting on his ointment and it's a hard sealing over the actual skin. I can push it in and all that so it's not the skin, but I think it's a scab.

He's defiantly healing.

... Although, he popped some stitches when he was eating yesterday which I'm a bit disappointed about.

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Originally Posted by Nixon

Although, he popped some stitches when he was eating yesterday which I'm a bit disappointed about.

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Try smaller feeders for a while. For instance, if he's on small rats, offer two large pups or small weanlings instead (about 30 grams each), so his skin doesn't have to stretch so much around the feeder.