scales irritated and peeling after shedding

hi all,

i have my first BP and he shed for the first time in my possession a few weeks ago, the scales on his tail are very irritated and peely, underneath what’s peeling looks raw. what could this be and how can i treat it?

https://ibb.co/c1yKQjS
photo

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Originally Posted by emsbp

hi all,

i have my first BP and he shed for the first time in my possession a few weeks ago, the scales on his tail are very irritated and peely, underneath what’s peeling looks raw. what could this be and how can i treat it?

https://ibb.co/c1yKQjS
photo

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Maybe scale rot?. That doesent look all that great imo i would probably bring him to a vet to make sure hes okay and see if he needs medical attention

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

Please have a vet see your snake A.S.A.P. Make sure it's a qualified exotic vet whose practice regularly includes snakes.

https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661


How are you housing this snake? What kind of heat equipment? How is it regulated? (thermostat???)

A photo of your set-up & details would help, but right now it's more important that you get him some medical care. Now.

This is past the point for home treatments.

This is very severe and needs to be seen by a Vet that specializes in reptiles. This is a severe infection. Could be caused by burns or scale rot. The scale rot in itself can be caused by burns or to wet and unsanitary conditions.

You really need to take the snake to be seen, this needs antibiotic shots AND ointment.

Meanwhile, tell us about the setup you keep this snake in. What kind of enclosure. What are the temperatures. What do you use to heat the enclosure. What do you use to control the output of heat (thermostat). What do you use to measure the temps. What is the humidity? What do you use as substrate?

How long have you had this snake, how long have you noticed this issue, has that snake ever eaten for you?

Could you post pictures of the setup?

I know that seems like a lot of questions, rather then answers. But to truly help you out, we need all this information.

The snake needs to be on paper towels and kept absolutely clean and sterile. The heat needs to be correct and controlled. This snake needs antibiotics (vet) before this turns toxic, if it hasn't already done so.

Good luck and let us know ..

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Please have a vet see your snake A.S.A.P. Make sure it's a qualified exotic vet whose practice regularly includes snakes.

https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661


How are you housing this snake? What kind of heat equipment? How is it regulated? (thermostat???)

A photo of your set-up & details would help, but right now it's more important that you get him some medical care. Now.

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Originally Posted by zina10

This is past the point for home treatments.

This is very severe and needs to be seen by a Vet that specializes in reptiles. This is a severe infection. Could be caused by burns or scale rot. The scale rot in itself can be caused by burns or to wet and unsanitary conditions.

You really need to take the snake to be seen, this needs antibiotic shots AND ointment.

Meanwhile, tell us about the setup you keep this snake in. What kind of enclosure. What are the temperatures. What do you use to heat the enclosure. What do you use to control the output of heat (thermostat). What do you use to measure the temps. What is the humidity? What do you use as substrate?

How long have you had this snake, how long have you noticed this issue, has that snake ever eaten for you?

Could you post pictures of the setup?

I know that seems like a lot of questions, rather then answers. But to truly help you out, we need all this information.

The snake needs to be on paper towels and kept absolutely clean and sterile. The heat needs to be correct and controlled. This snake needs antibiotics (vet) before this turns toxic, if it hasn't already done so.

Good luck and let us know ..

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Agree with these two, ASAP. Good luck.

He is in a 25 or 30 gallon long tank, i forget which. As a heat source i have a heating pad, i don’t have a thermostat yet but i check at least two times daily to be sure that it’s not too hot. he is already on paper towels instead of a substrate and i change them any time they get wet/dirty. Humidity stays between 52 & 55 % and i check that daily as well. He has eaten well for me for the past two weeks, this week he wasn’t interested but i tried to feed him sooner than usual.

This problem started a little less than two weeks ago, it was right after he shed. i assumed he had rub too hard while he shed because it didn’t look that bad at first, his scales were just a little pink. as it progressed i started using a vetericyn spray, today my mom and i researched scale rot so we soaked his tail in a chlorhex solution and put on Veterinus Derma Gel.

I know saying this is going to cause issues so please don’t fault me for this, but i can not take him to a vet, i don’t have the money for vet bills because all of the vets near me charge insane amounts. My mom used to work as a veterinary tech though and said she would talk to some of her colleagues that are still in the practice and see what they would do.

thank you all for your helpful input.

Good news it has nothing to do with a shed, bad news it's serious however from a picture and not having a full idea on how the animal it's hard to tell what you are dealing with.

There are two options here, Burn or Scale Rot, scale rot does not present itself overnight and I would think you would have noticed brownish scales starting to appear and would have intervene before it gets to that extreme, so it leaves you with the most likely culprit and that is a burn which means lack of thermostat or thermostat failure.

That's a case for a vet we are not in the mild range here we are in the serious enough that Anti-bitotics will likely be needed along with Silver sulfadiazine.

If dealing with a burn in the mean time and do not have a thermostat, UNPLUG your UTH immidiately (same if faulty) and go to home depot and get a dimmer like this as a temporary solution until you get a T-Stat.

In either case remove the substrate used and keep your animal on clean paper towel and keep it dry.

I'm going to say it and be that person....

if if you do not have money for a vet...you should not have the animal. This is part of having a pet. You need to find someone who will properly care for this animal.

How do you check the temperature of the heat pad ?

I am sorry to say, but checking twice the day is not sufficient. I don't know of any heat pad that runs in a safe zone for a snake. All of them tend to get to hot if they aren't regulated. There is one brand that claims they won't, but I have had them, and yes they do!

That looks like a deep burn. Remember, what feels warm to us, is usually much to hot for a snake. Our bodies run at 98 degrees. The heat of the pad should not be higher then 90 degrees. So even if our hands are a bit colder then 98 degrees, if the pad feels warm, its probably to hot.

If your mom was a vet tech she can clearly see this is bad. There is only so much you can do externally. The layer of scales is gone in places, it is raw skin you see. Infected , too. Things like that quickly go toxic.

I understand money issues. I do. But there is nothing else I can say other than that you NEED a thermostat. There simply aren't any what, ifs and maybe's about it. You can see why. This is a living being and some things are simply not negotiable. You can get a thermostat on Amazon for $30.

I suppose you can keep treating at home if you have no other option. Us fussing at you won't change the facts. But I implore you to try to figure out a way. Make payments at Vet or to family members or friends. Even if a new snake is cheaper then the Vet, this is YOUR animal and it is suffering. You took it on, its your responsibility.

I'd like to sugar coat it to make you feel better, but in this case, there simply isn't any sugar coating.

Keep it clean and keep treating it. Do not use all those different methods at once, the area is raw and some treatments damage healthy but fragile and exposed tissue..

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i don’t have a thermostat yet but i check at least two times daily to be sure that it’s not too hot.

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And this is usually how burns happen, UTH MUST be controlled

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but i can not take him to a vet, i don’t have the money for vet bills because all of the vets near me charge insane amounts.

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And while I understand how expensive it gets vets also offer payment plans, I am sorry but when you own an animal you owe it to them to take them to a vet when needed just like you would a dog or a cat.

Pet ownership is a great responsibility and if it is a financial burden than it needs to be reconsidered and surrendering the animal should be considered as well.

this was something that was slowly progressing. i was not ignoring it, however treatments that i tried were not working and it was still progressing, which is why i came here. i’m now realizing i should have done so sooner, which was bad on my part so i apologize. I do have various anitbiotics of different strengths and silver sulfadiazine so if you think i should try those, i will.

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Originally Posted by emsbp

this was something that was slowly progressing. i was not ignoring it, however treatments that i tried were not working and it was still progressing, which is why i came here. i’m now realizing i should have done so sooner, which was bad on my part so i apologize. I do have various anitbiotics of different strengths and silver sulfadiazine so if you think i should try those, i will.

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You need to get the heat pad controlled. Burns work their way in deeply into the tissue. Now you have raw exposed inner layers of skin. That get exposed to high heat again.

Nothing you do will work until you get that fixed. Which is why nothing worked up to now..

As said...this animal is past home treatment.

It needs injections or it will most likely perish.

Damn.....poor creature. Sorry, I don’t see how it gets to that point. Would of been at the vet long before the form.

I'm just going to be blunt. You should try to find an animal rescue and surrender that poor animal. That is neglect and honestly it's bordering on animal abuse.

If you can't afford a vet, don't get a pet.

This is a living creature who relies SOLELY on you, and you're clearly not ready for that responsibility.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I'm just going to be blunt. You should try to find an animal rescue and surrender that poor animal. That is neglect and honestly it's bordering on animal abuse.

If you can't afford a vet, don't get a pet.

This is a living creature who relies SOLELY on you, and you're clearly not ready for that responsibility.

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THIS and I hope it's not too late for the poor snake. When I first saw the picture my first reaction was "that snake is not long for the world". Hope I'm wrong.

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Damn.....poor creature. Sorry, I don’t see how it gets to that point. Would of been at the vet long before the form.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I'm just going to be blunt. You should try to find an animal rescue and surrender that poor animal. That is neglect and honestly it's bordering on animal abuse.

If you can't afford a vet, don't get a pet.

This is a living creature who relies SOLELY on you, and you're clearly not ready for that responsibility.

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

THIS and I hope it's not too late for the poor snake. When I first saw the picture my first reaction was "that snake is not long for the world". Hope I'm wrong.

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OP i really hope you come back with an update. idk about anyone else, but posts like these i don't just forget; i truly care about your snake and i want them to be better.

OP if you TRULY cannot afford something as necessary as a thermostat, please PM me. if you can't afford the necessary vet appt, please PM me anyway and we can see what we can do.

[emoji177]

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Originally Posted by emsbp

... I do have various anitbiotics of different strengths and silver sulfadiazine so if you think i should try those, i will.

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The thing about antibiotics is that lab work must be done first so you know that you're using a drug that will be effective. Frankly, this snake doesn't have TIME for you
to experiment if you want her to live, and it's a very bad thing to use antibiotics improperly as that's how we end up with untreatably-resistant 'germs'. I agree with the
other posts- if you cannot get proper medical help now for this snake, you should immediately surrender her to a rescue that can and will do the right things to try to save her.

Alot of vets offer payment plans. You could try borrowing the money off family or friends or something. As everyone has stated a vet visit is ur best option. Otherwise you are playing a very dangerous game with your snake and risking its life. Just giving a an animal random antibiotics without knowing what the infection is or anything is not a good idea. If u had a dog or have a dog would u give ur dog a random drug without getting a vet to perscribe that drug and tell u the dosage and if thats the medication it needed? Just an example.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

I just wanted to note too that this is a VERY severe burn, not something mild or "doesn't look too good" that can be treated at home.

A severe burn is only caused by not having a thermostat plugged into your heat pad, which apparently was the huge problem.

Thermostats are a REQUIRED piece of equipment when owning a reptile, and especially snakes which require relatively low heat and are easily burned by high heat.

Not sure if you will be getting another snake in the future, but you'll want to unplug your heat pad for now until you actually get a thermostat. Don't use your heat pad at all without one.

It's not something you can "check twice a day" or even "check 50 times a day", because a heat pad will immediately go up to 110~140 degrees F (depending on the brand) within 5 minutes if it's unregulated by a thermostat... I've tested it out of curiosity for myself a couple years ago.

Your thermostat was bumping around in that 110-140 F range for weeks, or however long you've had it, underneath the snake- so it was most likely at those temps whenever you've checked, but you did not know because you don't have a temp gun to measure the exact temp.

Are you and your mom absolutely sure you don't have at least $100-150 lying somewhere for the vet? Is there a gaming console you can pawn or sell? Any friends or family who can loan some money? I find that in desperate times, many people somehow finds the money when they really wanted to, rather than had to. I had come across folks who claim they can't take their sick cat to the vet but they can very much afford the new iphone or 4k tv. Or they can't get their dog's much needed surgery because that would require sacrifice of something that they value more than their pet, like a gaming console. I hope you know where I am going with this. It is time for tough love. Take it to the vet or surrender it to a reputable rescue. Treating at home is NOT an option.

I get vet bills. Trust me, I do. They're expensive. I have now one but THREE animals that I have been taking to the vet on and off over the last several months. All rescues, all taken in with the knowledge that it would get expensive. If I didn't have the money - I wouldn't have taken in the rescue. Even now, when it's just one left on vet care and it's going beyond what I expected it to due to complications - my ball still visits the vet.

Please get her in. She will die if you don't.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I'm going to say it and be that person....

if if you do not have money for a vet...you should not have the animal. This is part of having a pet. You need to find someone who will properly care for this animal.

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I have not read the whole thread, but I'm guessing there is a reptile rescue group in your area. If you can't afford to take it to a vet, call a rescue place and see if they can take it. We could help you find one if you like.

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

Are you and your mom absolutely sure you don't have at least $100-150 lying somewhere for the vet? Is there a gaming console you can pawn or sell? Any friends or family who can loan some money? I find that in desperate times, many people somehow finds the money when they really wanted to, rather than had to. I had come across folks who claim they can't take their sick cat to the vet but they can very much afford the new iphone or 4k tv. Or they can't get their dog's much needed surgery because that would require sacrifice of something that they value more than their pet, like a gaming console. I hope you know where I am going with this. It is time for tough love. Take it to the vet or surrender it to a reputable rescue. Treating at home is NOT an option.

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When I was in college and had a very very small income, no help from my parents, etc. I adopted a dog that needed emergency vet care. I had applied for a credit card a month earlier and just got it in the mail. I had a credit line of $250 (this was 20+ years ago). Helping my dog was the first thing I used that credit card for.

I just recently dropped $800 for my dog's oral surgery. I had to work a few extra shifts to pay for it, but seeing my dog feeling better, it was worth it. Pets are totally dependent on us for their care and well-being.

And if you can't afford the vet, and can't find a rescue place, please don't let it suffer any further. That snake is suffering. At least pay the $25 or whatever to get it euthanized. (Sorry that may be an unpopular suggestion, but it's a humane option)

All great comments and hope the best for the poor snake but has anyone heard from or made contact with the OP?

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

All great comments and hope the best for the poor snake but has anyone heard from or made contact with the OP?

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last night i sent a PM saying to check their post when i noticed they were online.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

last night i sent a PM saying to check their post when i noticed they were online.

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Thanks for trying but I can't help but fear the worst.

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

All great comments and hope the best for the poor snake but has anyone heard from or made contact with the OP?

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It looks like OP hasn't been on since yesterday afternoon.

Just have to say guys (and gals), you are awesome.

So helpful. Do not feel bad for saying what needs to be said either. Everyone has stated the point respectfully, some more blunt then others.

But what else is there to say ? Truly, nothing.

I get that the OP wanted to be treated gently and wanted nothing but advice on how SHE/HE wanted to handle this. At home, without the Vet.

However, what are we supposed to say? How can we magically make the pad run cooler than it needs to be ? How can we say sure, treat it with this and that and that should be good?

Its not. Truly just not. So we can't say that. Can't do it in good conscience.

Its sad. Snakes suffer silently. They don't scream, they don't cry, they don't whimper. They don't show their pain. So for us at humans its easier to ignore, or to not do all that needs to be done. Would this be a dog that cried and whined nonstop, it would be a lot harder to just slap on some ointment and do nothing more.

Just because the snake doesn't show it, doesn't mean its not in agony. Burns and skin peeling off is one of the most painful conditions there are. Add the infection. Add the fact that in order to be warm the snake keeps getting burned on the exposed and infected tissue. Different and some harsh treatments are applied, some of which shouldn't be used simultaneously.

This is cruel.

But when it comes to a snake you can get for free or ultra cheap on Craigslist, not many want to spend the money to get it treated, just a sad fact. They could get a new snake, a pretty morph, for that money. No guarantees the snake will make it, even.
But what about attachment? Empathy? Doing the right thing? This animal is YOURS and its suffering. Anyone can scrape together the needed funds if absolutely necessary. But we live in a throw away society and in the "go fund me" society.

I had to scrape together $6000 for emergency surgery on a aged horse. With absolutely no guarantee that the surgery would work, many times it doesn't. On a horse that is just a former brood mare, nothing special. But she is special to me, and I'm responsible for her.

I'm not saying that everyone should or could do this. But just about everyone could make payments at a vet for a visit to get some proper meds for this injured snake. You could sell something, borrow that money. You can find a vet that will probably get it done for around $100 to $150, add a thermostat. I bet you spend more on xmas presents.

There has even been an offer of HELP from a great member on here.

Swallow your pride and do the right thing. Rise above.

Prove us you aren't one of the many that will just disappear in a huff, all offended and feelings hurt over not having heard only what they wanted to hear.

Do it for that poor animal.

I'm not sure OP understands the gravity of the wounds either.

This is an insane infection and wound, apparent to most people who have owned a snake or two for awhile. It would be like if your dog's entire belly skin was flayed off and oozing without seeing a vet, and anyone would know that's animal abuse.

Frankly, your snake is going to die slowly and in pain if you don't see a vet, OP... A vet fund should always be available when you take responsibility of an animal. Even though every caresheet out there that should've been researched before obtaining the snake does say to get a thermostat.

It really hurts my heart to see photos of a snake in this condition, knowing the owner is unwilling to get proper help...either that or humanely euthanize. :tears:

Snakes suffer but cannot express that by making sounds as most animals can...if you cannot afford vet care, you cannot afford the pet...period. Please do
right by this snake? And learn from your mistakes (I'm assuming this is a burn).

To all the lurkers out there and new people looking for information on a set up for your new snake that happened to come across this thread, and watched in awe the picture of this poor snake... let this be a lesson. DO NOT avoid spending the extra $30 - $80 on a thermostat because this will definitely happen, sooner or later your baby snake will get burned and the Vet bill will be 10 times the price of a thermostat.
Everyone here says it to new people "get that UTH on a thermostat", but some just don't believe it. Well, here is proof of that. Be smart, be responsible and be compassionate to the helpless animal in your care.

Any update??

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Any update??

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Unfortunately I fear we scared the OP off. And probably not better for the poor snek.

I read through the thread and based on replies haven't opened the picture. I hate seeing animals suffer. Hoping OP is doing the right thing for this snake.

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

Unfortunately I fear we scared the OP off. And probably not better for the poor snek.

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Yes, but bear in mind that it's inappropriate & unethical to suggest home "medical care" when professional care is clearly needed, & it wouldn't have been better
for the snake anyway. Sometimes we just cannot supply what someone wants...a free and easy "do it yourself-fix" at home & with assurances all will be O.K.
This is a great forum with many helpful suggestions, but we cannot substitute for a vet, and no one should expect us to.

I agree, this was just not a case in which you can sugar coat the situation or baby the original poster with silk gloves.

In such a severe case, tinkering at home with this is just cruel. Especially given the fact that the situation that caused this issue was not getting resolved (thermostat).

You cannot save them all. You cannot talk sense to everybody. You can try, though. But what shouldn't be done, is to give advice that will only prolong the suffering, only so that the OP doesn't get their feelings hurt.

This wasn't going to cost a fortune. For gods sake, financial help was offered !!! What more can be done ??

If they don't have enough empathy to do the right thing, then nothing we say or do will change a dang thing. We tried. But I had a feeling that this wasn't going to do any good. But gosh, you have to try anyway, cause that's all you can do.

This is the OP’s mother, you know the under qualified vet tech that should know better than to treat at home because we would kill the poor snake. First, the tank was set up as per the breeders suggestion and has since been modified to make up for the misinformation she was given setting up his tank. Second, while my child commented on the high cost of veterinary care she would not have been permitted to acquire the pet if we did not have the means to properly care for him. Third and most importantly , Louie is doing well in spite of the fact that not one person offered a constructive comment to aid in his treatment. Attached is a photo of his tail showing how well he is progressing in spite of our “inadequate” at home care. Go back under your hides and think twice before you strike out at another poor young poster seeking to learn from more experienced reptile owners. Everyone knows kids like to hear things from a source other than their parents. Offer your knowledge to educate them, don’t tear them down and belittle them so they stop asking questions.

https://ibb.co/VNHMhQG

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Originally Posted by emsbp

This is the OP’s mother, you know the under qualified vet tech that should know better than to treat at home because we would kill the poor snake. First, the tank was set up as per the breeders suggestion and has since been modified to make up for the misinformation she was given setting up his tank. Second, while my child commented on the high cost of veterinary care she would not have been permitted to acquire the pet if we did not have the means to properly care for him. Third and most importantly , Louie is doing well in spite of the fact that not one person offered a constructive comment to aid in his treatment. Attached is a photo of his tail showing how well he is progressing in spite of our “inadequate” at home care. Go back under your hides and think twice before you strike out at another poor young poster seeking to learn from more experienced reptile owners. Everyone knows kids like to hear things from a source other than their parents. Offer your knowledge to educate them, don’t tear them down and belittle them so they stop asking questions.

https://ibb.co/VNHMhQG

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i literally offered to send OP a thermostat and cover the cost of a vet because the photos were AWFUL and one of the worst burns i've seen in a while, and these issues were not being addressed so OP made a desperate post.

you may be qualified, but your child was right that this snake needed a vet and your opinion that the snake didn't was not correct. your care may be adequate but for you to state this snake didn't need expert intervention is disingenuous. how are we to know your expertise and care? all info was given to us by your child.

the snake also needs a thermostat NOW, so when are you going to get one to prevent this burn from happening again literally tomorrow?

the single-most important and vital piece of equipment for keeping a ball python is a thermostat. and you didn't recognize that. IMO that speaks to a lack of knowledge on this animal. tons of people offered advice and helpful tips without sugar coating the issue; if you take this - these people taking time out of their day to help this snake and offer advice - as an attack then i feel sorry for you and that snake; constructive criticism is vital in learning and growing in a hobby.

this post sounds more like you trying to save face than help this animal.

i hope that snake gets better. good luck.

And all the while we cared enough to answer despite our frustration & worry for YOUR snake, we didn't resort to calling you an "idiot" either. Hmm. :rolleyes:

"Idiots and Keyboard Warriors" ???

Well, you are setting quite the example for proper etiquette.

As Taylor has said, people took the time to educate. No-one here sits around and wastes time writing long posts just to antagonize young keepers. There are thousands of members that have been helped, who's animals have been helped, by members who didn't mind to repeat the same advice, over and over, to take the time to think the issue through and give valuable advice. FOR FREE.

When someone posts a severely injured animal that really should see a vet, you will not have a experienced keeper say anything other then, that needs to see a vet. Anything else would be cruel and simply wrong. We aren't vets.
You, as a qualified vet tech, should know better. I can ask any vet out there what they think about people asking for medical advice on their critically injured animal on SOCIAL MEDIA. Ask your employer about that.

So the wound looks better. Guess that is one lucky snake. But its not because everyone should treat something like this at home. It is not because of home treatment but DESPITE home treatment that this animal got better. Perhaps you find taking such a risk acceptable. Maybe we do not.

No-one was rude. No-one was unhelpful. The only thing that was said, is what needed to be said. And no-one here will go back on their words, just because that snake is still alive.

I don't play Russian roulette with my animals health, esp. a severe injury due to my own fault. If you choose to do so, well, that is on you. But don't come here and offend all these great people that took the time to help, even offered to pay for a thermostat to help out your animal.

The only one that is rude and condescending is you. The only one name calling is you.

I understand wanting to defend your child, as a mother, but you are trying to defend your own actions by belittling ours.

And when it comes to educating. You can only educate the people that are willing to learn.

And many have.

Well contrary to what some may think solid and helpful advice have been provided, of course it's never easy when it's not what one wants to hear.

On that note I believe we are done here since I doubt anything needs to be added.

http://i67.tinypic.com/14izpyp.jpg

Additionally OP and Mom

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