Missing scales?

Hello there, I have a Kenyan sand boa, [first time owner] and after she got out of shed, I noticed what looked like scales missing? I have orange sand so at first I thought it was just stuck shed but it isn't. it's closer to her skin than scales and has the look of past scales to them. She has it on her underbelly and on her side, I'm not sure what might have caused this, and if this had happened to someone else, what happened? Is there anything I can do to prevent it? There isn't anything sharp in her enclosure and the temperatures are always constant, she is kept in a 20gal tank. Any ideas?

Is there a rock in her tank that she may have scraped on?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Is there a rock in her tank that she may have scraped on?

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Yes! But it is made out of plastic and I rubbed my hands all over to see if there were any sharp spots

I dunno then, it's hard to say without seeing the issue you're asking about. :confusd: Post pics if you can.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I dunno then, it's hard to say without seeing the issue you're asking about. :confusd: Post pics if you can.

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[IMG]20210218_175300_capture.jpg[/IMG]

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

[IMG]20210218_175300_capture.jpg[/IMG]

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Ah, urm.. I'm not really sure how to get a url of the picture

How to: ​https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures

I could be way off, but the first thing that came to mind is scale rot or burns, especially if the ones on the sides are the lower part that is coming into contact with the ground. Hope it isn't that.

Me too! I would feel absolutely horrible, but no worries I would fix it RIGHT AWAY!! Working on the picture now.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...00_capture.jpg

One thing I did notice though is that it didn't appear to be scale rot or burns. I was honestly stumped before I thought that she might have lost scales instead :(

Wow, that's really strange. Appears to be missing scales- even with a difficult shed, a snake shouldn't lose scales like that. I would dab some Vetericyn antiseptic ointment (for reptile use) on that for a while, as it heals. Not sure you'll ever see those scales again though. :(

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Wow, that's really strange. Appears to be missing scales- even with a difficult shed, a snake shouldn't lose scales like that. I would dab some Vetericyn antiseptic ointment (for reptile use) on that for a while, as it heals. Not sure you'll ever see those scales again though. :(

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I really appreciate that, and I will do just that. I have NO idea how this happened and I feel terrible! Hopefully it wasn't anything I did and I hope it never happens again. Poor snake :(

Are there any areas of odd-looking scales anywhere else on the snake? Not missing scales like this, but just shriveled-looking, maybe a different texture?

What is this snake eating? Dumb question perhaps, but what substrate are you using? How often do you change it out completely?

Needless to say, if this seems to get worse (spreads or fails to heal) see a herp-qualified vet A.S.A.P. For help finding one: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

That looks like a burn to me :( but it could be something else. I'd get her into the vet asap because whatever it is, it looks pretty serious.

I don't know enough about sand boas in particular, perhaps someone else could chime in, but should she have space between the scales like that or could that be from swelling?

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

That looks like a burn to me :( but it could be something else. I'd get her into the vet asap because whatever it is, it looks pretty serious.

I don't know enough about sand boas in particular, perhaps someone else could chime in, but should she have space between the scales like that or could that be from swelling?

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Ah yes, the space between the scales isn't actually there, that's just strong lighting mixed with a bad camera lol

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Are there any areas of odd-looking scales anywhere else on the snake? Not missing scales like this, but just shriveled-looking, maybe a different texture?

What is this snake eating? Dumb question perhaps, but what substrate are you using? How often do you change it out completely?

Needless to say, if this seems to get worse (spreads or fails to heal) see a herp-qualified vet A.S.A.P. For help finding one: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

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Not that I know of, the rest of her scales look fine. There were a few when I first got her from the breeder but they have dissapeared. She is eating F/T pinkies, at about 89 degrees thawed. Could that be too hot-? I feed her one. Once a week, but really about a week and 2 days because that's when she wants to eat again. I'm using aspen in 3/4ths of the cage, its a thinner kind so she can burrow without it bothering and it will hold her tunnels. On the other spot I have extremely fine sand that was apparently recommended by my breeder and a vet, so far the only problem is that it dyes everything orange. I change the entire cage out once a month. But I spot clean it regularly.

I'm wondering if she had some sort of infection there...maybe a low blister that allowed this skin to come off with the shed. But that's a pretty big patch to leave open to further infection, so as I said, "wound care" (antiseptic) asap. Wouldn't hurt to see a vet, I agree- in which case, all our questions are "good practice" for what they'll be asking you. ;) I guarantee she wasn't bitten by a f/t pinkie.

Your sand has dyes added? I'd avoid that, just in case. Nothing but "natural". And she might "like" to burrow in aspen, but get it out of there now- she shouldn't be rubbing aspen into this open wound. Probably not sand either, but ask the vet when you call. Usually snakes with wounds are kept on clean white paper towels while healing for best results.

FYI, something I have seen in the past are shriveled- oddly textured scales caused by a fungal infection of the skin. Never seen it cause this, but might be possible? To clear it, you'd need the right topical medication IF that's what it is from, & you don't want to "guess". You really should get to the bottom of whatever this is.

When you say heal, do you mean the scales coming back or..? I've never experienced this so I'm not sure what it should look like once healed

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'm wondering if she had some sort of infection there...maybe a low blister that allowed this skin to come off with the shed. But that's a pretty big patch to leave open to further infection, so as I said, "wound care" (antiseptic) asap. Wouldn't hurt to see a vet, I agree.

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Oh no, an infection? That's horrible. She has another patch connected to that one on her belly scales.. but thats it. Ill definitely keep watch very closely. I'll try everything I can to avoid this again.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'm wondering if she had some sort of infection there...maybe a low blister that allowed this skin to come off with the shed. But that's a pretty big patch to leave open to further infection, so as I said, "wound care" (antiseptic) asap. Wouldn't hurt to see a vet, I agree- in which case, all our questions are "good practice" for what they'll be asking you. ;) I guarantee she wasn't bitten by a f/t pinkie.

Your sand has dyes added? I'd avoid that, just in case. Nothing but "natural". And she might "like" to burrow in aspen, but get it out of there now- she shouldn't be rubbing aspen into this open wound. Probably not sand either, but ask the vet when you call. Usually snakes with wounds are kept on clean white paper towels while healing for best results.

FYI, something I have seen in the past are shriveled- oddly textured scales caused by a fungal infection of the skin. Never seen it cause this, but might be possible? To clear it, you'll need the right topical medication, so it would be preferable to not "guess" & really get to the bottom of whatever this is.

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What should I use as her substrate? She usually hangs out in the sand. I hardly see her on the aspen unless she's getting water. Should I be really concerned about this? I mean I am but should I be REALLY concerned?

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

When you say heal, do you mean the scales coming back or..? I've never experienced this so I'm not sure what it should look like once healed

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When snakes heal, they do so by repeated sheds, but scales don't usually grow back- you'll usually see a scar (of smooth skin) where the wound was.

If this was a blister, that's something that burns may cause too, so double-check your temps. for safety, but burns are usually on the belly of a snake, unless there's overhead heat of some kind???

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

What should I use as her substrate? She usually hangs out in the sand. I hardly see her on the aspen unless she's getting water. Should I be really concerned about this? I mean I am but should I be REALLY concerned?

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If you lost some skin, would YOU want to rub wood fibers or sand into it? ;) Not good for healing, apt to cause infection.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

If you lost some skin, would YOU want to rub wood fibers or sand into it? ;) Not good for healing, apt to cause infection.

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Oh nonono I didn't mean be concerned about the substrate, I'm taking that out for SURE, I meant about the infection in general..😅

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

What should I use as her substrate?...

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see my post #17
For the time being, plain white paper towels, & to give something to "hide" in, take a couple towels, layer them & tear into shreds- fluff the shreds (like a tossed salad) & let her have those to hide in, while you get to the bottom of whatever did this.

I sure wouldn't want this to spread.

There is a CHE, but itson the aspen side and the highest I have it to go is 87 to keep ambient temps up on the cooler side

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

see my post #17
For the time being, plain white paper towels, & to give something to "hide" in, take a couple towels, layer them & tear into shreds- fluff the shreds (like a tossed salad) & let her have those to hide in, while you get to the bottom of whatever did this.

I sure wouldn't want this to spread.

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AGREED! I hope you know I'll do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this. I'll fix everything, and find out what did this.

One other thing- is there a screen/metal mesh top? Most ppl think sand boas don't climb, but I can remember a thread a long while back about one that kept doing just that, scraping against the screen top & falling. So if there's anything she can climb on, take it out. When snakes climb glass tanks, they jam themselves along the plastic molding at the top of the glass & against the screen to hold on. Check the upper edges for any rough or sharp spots & sand-file them down. Also, if there's any kind of a ledge there (like 1/4") fill it in with something...maybe glue some rope on it so she cannot get up there...that might be how she did this? (make sure that any glue you use is non-toxic to pets when dry- silicone aquarium sealant would work, but don't put in on thick or it will take a long time to dry)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

One other thing- is there a screen/metal mesh top? Most ppl think sand boas don't climb, but I can remember a thread a long while back about one that kept doing just that, scraping against the screen top & falling. So if there's anything she can climb on, take it out. When snakes climb glass tanks, they jam themselves along the plastic molding at the top of the glass & against the screen to hold on. Check the upper edges for any rough or sharp spots & sand-file them down.

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Oh my goodness I never even thought of that! Thats horrifying to think she could have done that. Poor thing. Ill do that right away!

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Oh my goodness I never even thought of that! Thats horrifying to think she could have done that. Poor thing. Ill do that right away!

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And maybe she was right under the heat at the top, so double check those temps. ;) I've personally seen snakes climb straight up glass tanks by pushing up off their tails as far as they can until they reach the top ledge with their chin, then pull them selves up ("chin-ups"!). Never underestimate a snake that's motivated to escape & go exploring.

BTW, don't feel bad that you didn't know & haven't seen this...snakes tend to do this "gymnastic" stuff at night, or when no one's around to watch.

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Oh nonono I didn't mean be concerned about the substrate, I'm taking that out for SURE, I meant about the infection in general..😅

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Well yeah, you don't want this to get infected. It doesn't appear to be right now, so that's good. But scales protect their body, just as the outer layers of our own skin protects us- when it's removed, there's a risk. I'm actually surprised that it doesn't look more "raw"- doesn't appear to have bled.

When I saw this thread title, I assumed "oh just a few scales gone". It's also a concern that you said there are more scales missing underneath that connects to this injury. I really suspect she's a "ledge-climber", as that fits with where her injuries are. Silly snakes...:snake: they do goofy things sometimes, even when they get hurt doing it.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Well yeah, you don't want this to get infected. It doesn't appear to be right now, so that's good. But scales protect their body, just as the outer layers of our own skin protects us- when it's removed, there's a risk. I'm actually surprised that it doesn't look more "raw"- doesn't appear to have bled.

When I saw this thread title, I assumed "oh just a few scales gone". It's also a concern that you said there are more scales missing underneath that connects to this injury. I really suspect she's a "ledge-climber", as that fits with where her injuries are. Silly snakes...:snake: they do goofy things sometimes, even when they get hurt doing it.

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Ah yes, well I've taken out all of her substrate and everything now and she is settled in with the paper towels. Thank you so much! You're a life saver! :)

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But yes! It hasn't been raw or bled at all, its just kinda there

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Originally Posted by BlueOrleans1290

Ah yes, well I've taken out all of her substrate and everything now and she is settled in with the paper towels. Thank you so much! You're a life saver! :)

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But yes! It hasn't been raw or bled at all, its just kinda there

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You're welcome, snakes do some strange things sometimes & it can be hard to sort out what happened. I can give you my best guesses because I've lived with a lot of snakes & seen a lot of others, but none of us knows everything- that's why this forum comes in handy, to share experiences. I just hope she heals up okay. In the past, I've used shredded paper towels for some of the neonate rosy boas I used to raise, they loved exploring thru it, & it's just safer for that strange wound your little boa has, while still allowing her to "hide". By the way, you can also layer a paper towel OVER the shreds too (make a "shred sandwich"), to add privacy, & then set her water bowl on top of the upper towel- that will also help keep the shreds out of her water bowl, because they'll wick out the water & she'll end up all damp. I forgot to mention that earlier. She's a cutie, btw.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

You're welcome, snakes do some strange things sometimes & it can be hard to sort out what happened. I can give you my best guesses because I've lived with a lot of snakes & seen a lot of others, but none of us knows everything- that's why this forum comes in handy, to share experiences. I just hope she heals up okay. In the past, I've used shredded paper towels for some of the neonate rosy boas I used to raise, they loved exploring thru it, & it's just safer for that strange wound your little boa has, while still allowing her to "hide". By the way, you can also layer a paper towel OVER the shreds too (make a "shred sandwich"), to add privacy, & then set her water bowl on top of the upper towel- that will also help keep the shreds out of her water bowl, because they'll wick out the water & she'll end up all damp. I forgot to mention that earlier. She's a cutie, btw.

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Will do! Thank you

Update! She shed out, and the spots are completely gone! She is shiny, shed in full, and eating weekly!

Good news, got pics?

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...56_capture.jpg

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The only one I have rn

That's weird...no idea how she did that. :confusd:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's weird...no idea how she did that. :confusd:

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Either way I'm thanking the lord!