What is this? Rat attack? *non graphic*

After getting my newly acquired normal under overhead lights we found the following injuries. Are these scars from a rat attack, or is it scale rot? Does she need a vet? Thanks.
[IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_0850.jpg[/IMG]
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_0853.jpg
[IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_0849.jpg[/IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_0854.jpg[IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_0851.jpg[/IMG]

Thank you.

Looks to me like a small bite wound. I'd just put a little Neosporin (non-painreliever type) on it and keep an eye on it. It should be just fine.

The snake definitely looks to have scale rot. The scales don't appear to be in great shape from what I can tell. The red tinge all over the belly scales is a pretty clear sign. It might get better with a dryer substrate and steady temps but it almost might need a trip to the vet. Hard to say for sure. The vet is the safer choice.The other marks look like rat bites in my opinion but it is hard to tell.

Regards,

B

It honestly doesn't look like scale rot to me. None of the ventral scale are raised, swollen or blistered. It looks like the snake is due for a shed and has some stained/worn ventral scales from the substrate.

OP: Can you post a picture of his whole belly?

The scales are torn looking. I've never had any snake I've owned look like that, in shed or not. The area appears pink around the edge of the scales too. Might not be super serious but I don't know for sure. It doesn't look right compared to any healthy snakes I've owned or seen. :confused: I guess better pictures in better light would help.

Regards,

B

Here is a belly shot of her. She is on white newsprint right now and am watching her. What do they usually do for belly rot? Prescribe antibiotic or something? She was eating medium to large live rats according to the seller. I haven't fed her yet though. I just got her on Friday.

[IMG]http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_0836.jpg[/IMG]

She's just going into shed thats why her belly is pink. After she sheds just check her over to make sure the little section of dirty ventral scales has come off cleanly.

She may be going into shed which makes their belly pink...but that doesn't explain the discolored scales. I have one who's belly turns bright pink and I've never seen the scales look like that....on any of mine.

What substrate was she kept on in her previous home? When they are kept on certain wood substrates it can be harder on their scales than aspen or paper. I've seen this in a lot of pet store animals kept on wood bark with low humidity. The scales get stained/collect dirt/look cracked but it will shed out and look good as new.

She is definitely in deep shed. I would personally wait til she sheds out and see what she looks like then. If the ventral scales don't look any different, then take her to the vet. Make sure you take her to a qualified herp vet who'll know what to look for and what to do, not just guess. From her blue shade, I'd say you won't have long to wait til she sheds - a week at most. If you keep her on very clean towels, that's not too super long to wait - even if it turns out to be scale rot, she should be fine til then.

The other wounds look pretty well healed over, and I'd agree they look like rodent bites to me. Keep us posted!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jsmorphs2

What substrate was she kept on in her previous home? When they are kept on certain wood substrates it can be harder on their scales than aspen or paper. I've seen this in a lot of pet store animals kept on wood bark with low humidity. The scales get stained/collect dirt/look cracked but it will shed out and look good as new.

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I am not positive what the person I bought her from kept her on. However he only had her for 1 week. The pet store he got her from I regularly go to and they use the red Reptibark. That could be possibly the reason for the color. I will keep a close eye on her.

Her shed is done and she looks GREAT! I could hardly find her scar from the rat attack, and her stomach looks clear. Below are some pictures. She is the first normal in my collection, so I am not accustomed to what all is considered normal. She has some really good back blushing and some side blushing and her stomach is white in some sections. Do you think she could more than just normal?

white Belly and side blushing.
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1003.jpg
Another Belly shot.
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1002.jpg
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1001.jpg
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1006.jpg

Regular belly portion
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1000.jpg

Back blushing
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1005.jpg
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC_1004.jpg

Lookin' good! :gj:

As far as genetics, she looks like a very nice dark normal. I would pair her up with a dark morph like a cinnie or black pastel. Her blushing would totally add to the quality of her offspring (if you plan on breeding her one day :)).

Definitely planning to breed her. I have a male lesser, pinstripe and luckily a cinnamon. :D