Weird red scales on BP?

Hello guys! This is my baby banana.
i got him recently and he has this red bump on the side of his tail, i took him to a vet but she says she doesn't have much experience in treating ball pythons as we don't have many in my country and the clinic she is at is the only place
specializing in exotic animals. She gave me a cream to
apply and a nutrition powder. Does anyone know what it
is? And is it serious? I can’t help but worry, i’ve never had this before with previous ball pythons and I can’t stand not knowing what it is!!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e8bb1b049b.jpg

How are you housing the reptile , what are the temperature settings you are working with and the humidity level also? It’s always a good bet to check the enclosure and recheck to make sure the proper environment is being provided. Can you post the pictures of the enclosure as well? Thanks. By the way, is the reptile a banana spider morph? It has a appearance of having the spider mutation?

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

How are you housing the reptile , what are the temperature settings you are working with and the humidity level also. It’s always a good bet to check the enclosure and recheck to make sure the proper environment is being provided. Can you post the pictures of the enclosure as well? Thanks. By the way, is the reptile a banana spider morph? It has a appearance of having the spider mutation?

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Yes it is ( had no idea when i first got him i am not experienced in morphs ) i am on my way to school right now, so i will answer and send photos as soon as i am back!:)
But in general his humidity levels are okay, his environment is good he has three hides and i use coconut husk as substrate with a bit of moss to retain moisture

I'm curious about the genetics as well... The color seems a bit wrong for banana and the pattern/headstamp screams spider. Maybe it's just the lighting in this photo but the darker areas look black and not the lighter purples to brown of a banana

The other thing I noticed is it is a bit swollen looking in that area. It might be helpful before the next bit of cream to give him a good soak before you apply it. Might help reduce swelling a little and gently clean the area to get a better application of the cream.

A couple other questions for you:
Is there possibly anything he can get stuck on/in or get too close to a heat element?
How long have you had him?
How did you get him? Was he shipped to you or picked up locally?
How long has the area seemed swollen or red?
What is the baby currently eating? live food can sometimes fight back.

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Originally Posted by Armiyana

I'm curious about the genetics as well... The color seems a bit wrong for banana and the pattern/headstamp screams spider. Maybe it's just the lighting in this photo but the darker areas look black and not the lighter purples to brown of a banana

The other thing I noticed is it is a bit swollen looking in that area. It might be helpful before the next bit of cream to give him a good soak before you apply it. Might help reduce swelling a little and gently clean the area to get a better application of the cream.

A couple other questions for you:
Is there possibly anything he can get stuck on/in or get too close to a heat element?
How long have you had him?
How did you get him? Was he shipped to you or picked up locally?
How long has the area seemed swollen or red?
What is the baby currently eating? live food can sometimes fight back.

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I just noticed that i read the other user’s question incorrectly as i was in a rush, His NAME is banana, but he is a spider morph, not a banana spider morph!!! He was shedding while he had this swollen red area so yes i did also soak him and he shed great
As for the questions:
1. No, i keep the heating pad under the terrarium, his basking area is not close to the heating lamp as it is not too hot, it doesn’t heat the upper metal thingy that opens ( and it would be weird to think he is able to get his tail any close to the lamp, that would be impossible, but i did not rule it out either haha )
2. Nearly a year.
3. Got him locally!
4. A couple days, but now it has reduced considerably, but the area is swollen and a little red :(
5. He eats two mice every 8 days but it has been a while since I last fed him, where i’m at is currently out of mice everywhere i drove for HOURS on end to every store i could find, they have been out for two weeks and till now i have no clue when i will be able to get my hands on any.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

How are you housing the reptile , what are the temperature settings you are working with and the humidity level also? It’s always a good bet to check the enclosure and recheck to make sure the proper environment is being provided. Can you post the pictures of the enclosure as well? Thanks. By the way, is the reptile a banana spider morph? It has a appearance of having the spider mutation?

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I’m so sorry!! i read your last question wrong, his literal name is banana, and he is a spider morph! My bad

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Originally Posted by Alyazisr

Hello guys! This is my baby banana.
i got him recently and he has this red bump on the side of his tail, i took him to a vet but she says she doesn't have much experience in treating ball pythons as we don't have many in my country and the clinic she is at is the only place
specializing in exotic animals. She gave me a cream to apply and a nutrition powder. Does anyone know what it
is? And is it serious? I can’t help but worry, i’ve never had this before with previous ball pythons and I can’t stand not knowing what it is!!https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e8bb1b049b.jpg

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I'm concerned about the possibility of an infection. What type of cream did your vet give you? Is it an antibiotic? Even if it is, treating it with some diluted Betadine (povidone-iodine)wouldn't hurt. Dilute the betadine to one part Betadine to ten parts water and apply to the injured area prior to applying the cream. If it's available, Vetericyn is even better.

I'd agree that looks like either an infection of some kind or a burn injury.

A "nutrition powder" isn't very likely to help (or hurt), but an antibiotic cream might- it all depends. I'd also agree about topically using Vetericyn (if available where you are) or Betadine solution (aka povidone-iodine) that's diluted (to look like weak tea).

You also called this a bump- the amount of swelling isn't obvious in the photo, but swelling under the skin does suggest an infection- and it's possible that topical application of medications (no matter how effective they are) won't be enough to remove the infection. Snakes produce solid pus for the most part that requires surgical removal, as it cannot "drain"- but hopefully this won't get to that point.

There is a limit to how much we can help you online- this really does need an in-person vet visit & I'm sorry that your options are limited. I hope your snake recovers okay- pay close attention to see if this increases or seems to be healing- and DO check your enclosure for anything that might have caused this (burn? scrape?). Best would be keeping him on clean paper towels for substrate while he's healing. If this appears to be spreading (increasing in size or area) DO get back in touch with your vet.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I'm concerned about the possibility of an infection. What type of cream did your vet give you? Is it an antibiotic? Even if it is, treating it with some diluted Betadine (povidone-iodine)wouldn't hurt. Dilute the betadine to one part Betadine to ten parts water and apply to the injured area prior to applying the cream. If it's available, Vetericyn is even better.

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Yes okay! Thank you! Vetericyn & betadine are both available last i saw ( at the vet + a horse supply shop ) so i will be heading out later to get one and soak him as you recommended :>

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I'd agree that looks like either an infection of some kind or a burn injury.

A "nutrition powder" isn't very likely to help (or hurt), but an antibiotic cream might- it all depends. I'd also agree about topically using Vetericyn (if available where you are) or Betadine solution (aka povidone-iodine) that's diluted (to look like weak tea).

You also called this a bump- the amount of swelling isn't obvious in the photo, but swelling under the skin does suggest an infection- and it's possible that topical application of medications (no matter how effective they are) won't be enough to remove the infection. Snakes produce solid pus for the most part that requires surgical removal, as it cannot "drain"- but hopefully this won't get to that point.

There is a limit to how much we can help you online- this really does need an in-person vet visit & I'm sorry that your options are limited. I hope your snake recovers okay- pay close attention to see if this increases or seems to be healing- and DO check your enclosure for anything that might have caused this (burn? scrape?). Best would be keeping him on clean paper towels for substrate while he's healing. If this appears to be spreading (increasing in size or area) DO get back in touch with your vet.

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The vet gave me a broad spectrum antibiotic i think, But nonetheless it wont hurt to soak him in vetericyn too better safe than sorry!!
There may be a limit but you guys probably helped me out and gave me information a ton more than my vet ( not that i mean they didn’t, I appreciate all that they did despite their little knowledge in BP’S but they did not get into specifics at all or ease my worries ) so thank you all! ^^

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alyazisr

The vet gave me a broad spectrum antibiotic i think, But nonetheless it wont hurt to soak him in vetericyn too better safe than sorry!!
There may be a limit but you guys probably helped me out and gave me information a ton more than my vet ( not that i mean they didn’t, I appreciate all that they did despite their little knowledge in BP’S but they did not get into specifics at all or ease my worries ) so thank you all! ^^

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Well many vets just don't see enough snakes to get experience with them, so maybe try to share (tactfully) what has been suggested & whatever seems to be working so your vet learns too.

Depending on what this is, the topical medications might not penetrate the skin enough to cure an infection, if that's what this is. (the swelling suggests infection, to me) And if you got a broad spectrum antibiotic cream from the vet, you don't likely need the others (OTC products that we suggested) in conjunction.

On the other hand, IF this is a burn (if you find where & how this might have occurred?) a better topical medication would probably be Silvadene cream. Safe & used as directed topically on snakes+.

"SILVADENE Cream 1% (silver sulfadiazine) is a topical antimicrobial drug indicated as an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis in patients with second- and third-degree burns"

Hello everybody! Just wanted to update you on what’s been happening with my baby! The red area/swelling is completely gone now after soaking him in vetericyn these past days for 30 minutes and applying the cream prescribed by the vet! In the next check up i will inform them on what i did by your suggestions ( tactfully as said by bogertrophis so they can hopefully have more experience to share with other ball python owners ) and he’s been eating well and no problems so far.

Again i would like to thank everyone that helped, I’ve gained so much help and information, and a little more understanding about ball pythons health care.

Thank you! 🫶[emoji2533]