What could this be? - Yes I WILL go to the vet!

Through a frustrating tale of noncommunication I got a replacement from that breeder (frustrating but I'm still hopefully getting a snake from Corey tomorrow if I can track him down in town!). I had orey out today just to generally check him over since I've left him alone for the first three days.
I was looking at his face and he seems to have some grey residue/discharge (it looks dry but it could be wet, I couldn't exactly reach in there) in one of the heat pits closer to his right eye. He's blue right now so I'm going to see what happens to it after he sheds and if it's still there, he is going to the vet posthaste unless this is a symptom of something very, very serious in which case I will be there sooner. Is it the beginning of an RI?

Things that have NOT happened: Bubbles, gurgles, whistles, opening his mouth, mites, star gazing, lying on his back
Things I did see: one tick (since gone!), nice defensive reactions (rolling over when flipped, head shy, squeezing)
Husbandry: Newspaper substrate, 82 on cool side 92 on hot, humidity at 65-70% cause he's blue, residing in a rubbermaid. I got him on Monday. He's about four months old.
Bonus Photo:

http://mousch.zoto.com/img/45/84b146...e206a3638-.jpg
http://mousch.zoto.com/user/lightbox...aded-desc/0-30

If you found a tick its a wild caught or captive hatched.Hope this one does better then Hero.I advise taking it to a vet to get dewormed or at least a stool sample. What did he do just drop it off without giving you a chance to tell him you wanted a refund? Keep us posted

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Originally Posted by joepythons

If you found a tick its a wild caught or captive hatched.Hope this one does better then Hero.What did he do just drop it off without giving you a chance to tell him you wanted a refund? Keep us posted

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Pretty much, Joe! Captive Hatch is basically what I'm assuming, because he does have that tick. Any idea on what resides in that pit? it looks greyish.

And don't worry Joe, my suspicion about him is the same. Quarantine will SO be in effect!

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Originally Posted by mousch

Pretty much, Joe! Captive Hatch is basically what I'm assuming, because he does have that tick. Any idea on what resides in that pit? it looks greyish.

And don't worry Joe, my suspicion about him is the same. Quarantine will SO be in effect!

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Without really looking at the snake its hard to tell.It might be a tick but not positiveas i can not tell since i am unable to look at the snake(sorry for reapeting this).

Sorry. I can try and get a photo.. I doubt he'll stay still long enough!

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Originally Posted by mousch

Sorry. I can try and get a photo.. I doubt he'll stay still long enough!

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Its ok i really can not tell what it could be for sure by looking at a pic.I would make a vet app and let him figure it out for sure.

That's my plan. He should shed in the next couple of days. if it's still there after his shed, we're paying the vet a visit.

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Originally Posted by mousch

That's my plan. He should shed in the next couple of days. if it's still there after his shed, we're paying the vet a visit.

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Sounds like a good plan to me :gj: .

Don't know what others think, but I think he's a little bit on the thin side. Is he captive bred? I don't know who the breeder is but I would be very concerned at finding a tick on a snake that's been captive bred. That suggests to me a severe lack of basic hygiene:mad: Either that, or the snake is wild caught.


You are doing exactly the right thing in taking Orey to the vet asap. Until then I'd keep him in quarantine well away from your other snakes and when you get your other BP from Corey, please keep them well away from each other and housed separately.

Don't know if this pic is close up enough for you to see Bobby's heat sensors and nose, but it should be clean.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6/PICT0166.jpg

Here's a side-on view.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...3/PICT0121.jpg

Bobby is our rescue BP - and this is what he looked like when we first got him. Horribly skinny but with good food and a lot of TLC he made a full recovery and is a beautiful snake now as you can see:D

I hope this is some help to you.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...2/PICT0205.jpg

Alright I took a photo, though I know it isn't the same as a vet visit.

I threw in the other photos to compare the other side.. and because I think they came out really well ;)
Grey pit side (click for HUGE):
http://mousch.zoto.com/img/45/5f85e8...1dcbd944e9.jpg

http://mousch.zoto.com/img/45/db1294...7272fafd10.jpg
Healthy side:

http://mousch.zoto.com/img/45/47be99...16694f78a-.jpg

http://mousch.zoto.com/img/45/47be99...b16694f78a.jpg

The rest look healthy. Just that one bothers me. If it's not gone with this shed (he's jsut clearing after blue, so that should be in the next couple of days) we're heading on over there.

The BP I get from Corey has all the enclosure here. It will be in a seperate room and contact will NOT happen. I have learned a few things in my time here! (I've learned more than I could place any value, truly :) )

I have not seen anything like that before. It looks like the area around it is swollen a little.

Does anyone know if a small tick can attach inside a heat pit? Just a thought ....

Neil

The tick looked bigger than the heat pit, but you never know. It does look swollen now that you point that out too. It's definitely Not Good, whatever it is.

boogie!!!

j/k j/k

Hope it clears up!

Thanks for the well wishes. I think we'll go get a consultation tomorrow from the zoo's downtown clinic. I can find out if it's good or bad and lug over to the treatment clinic.

Tick! *gets the heebie jeebies* Buh huh...

Get some Provent-A-Mite, treat the enclosure because they have probably laid eggs and you will keep getting reinfested, and then treat the room just in case(spray the room's carpet and make a line barrier at the door jam). PAM isn't too expensive and works wonderfully if used the way it should be used. Don't try to pick the tick out, you will just cause the snake more stress than necessary. If you really want it off, smear a bit of vaseline into that one pit, being careful not to get any near his nostrils, and let the tick come off on its own.

Did I mention ticks are gross?

When you are at the vet, also get a fecal done on Mr. Snakeypants, because he will most likely be parasitized with some sort of internal bug. Take a small fecal sample with you(if he's blessed you with any recent presents), or you can get the vet to do a cloacal swab.

I would advise reading the sticky about travelling with your snake and how to properly secure him and make him feel safe. I use a tied pillowcase that has been turned inside out(threads facing out). I put them into the pillowcase, twist the opening and tie it, then place that in a dark rubbermaid/sterilite/whatevah that is filled with either shredded paper or something else that cushions.

Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot Becky. Having a tick up your nose can not be comfortable!
No poo presents but I can tell I'm probably going to find a "gift" inside his shed skin. Should I hold off until I do have a fecal, or go now while he's just ending his blue cycle and liable to shed right away? Poor little guy I will order provent a mite (This also kills the tick goobers, then?).

Yep, PAM will definitely kill ANY bugs in the tank and in your house :) Very nice stuff, it is.

I would take him to the vet just for a checkup, but after his shed. Then hopefully you can take the fecal sample along with you and won't have to go back for a second trip.

To store a fecal sample, put it in a plastic ziploc baggie, and put it in the fridge(no longer than 24 hours though prior to the vet visit if you can). Some parasites(like giardia which is a protozoan) can't be found unless the feces is very fresh, so you may want to take the sample in sooner than your vet appointment just to get it done, and then you can take Orey when your appointment day comes.

Pls remember the proper handling order during quarantine, too!! Handle and care for all the other critters first, and do the Q'd snake(s) last.....:D Since it sounds like you've got maybe TWO that are quarantined, just be sure to wash and disinfect well between the two.


Looking at the pics, it looks like a tick to me, too.


Good luck!!!!!


R.

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Originally Posted by aaajohnson

Does anyone know if a small tick can attach inside a heat pit? Just a thought ....

Neil

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Yes, I have seen them attached to heat pits on snakes.

Only one right now, my sense of time is silly, I thought I was seeing Corey this week (for the life of me I do NOT know why!) when it's actually in three weeks. But believe me, knowing he is CH they are not getting a chance of getting near each other and I am not going to carry anything over :)

I was reading and someone said that you can get a lice treatment at wal-mart that contains the same chemical makeup as provent-a-mite. I'm disinclined to believe them. Does anyone have a can handy, that could list the ingredients for me pretty please? You can't get it domestically in Canada.

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Originally Posted by mousch

Only one right now, my sense of time is silly, I thought I was seeing Corey this week (for the life of me I do NOT know why!) when it's actually in three weeks. But believe me, knowing he is CH they are not getting a chance of getting near each other and I am not going to carry anything over :)

I was reading and someone said that you can get a lice treatment at wal-mart that contains the same chemical makeup as provent-a-mite. I'm disinclined to believe them. Does anyone have a can handy, that could list the ingredients for me pretty please? You can't get it domestically in Canada.

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Please do not use lice treatment stuff as i am sure it will harm your snake more then anything.Ticks can get anywhere the little buggers feel the need to hide:mad: .They start out small and grow with the snakes blood supply.I still vote that this wannabe breeder you got this snake and Hero from needs a good head thumping :tricho: .Keep us posted please

Contact Recycling Goddess. Aleesha's in Canada too, and she had to go the PAM route. See if maybe she can give U tips on how to get the product. I personally wouldn't use anything other than the Provent-A-Mite (PAM)

I've seen threads on kingsnake that say they have identical labels on the back of them, so I was just curious about it.

Well like stated above its hard to tell without seeing the snake but I had a similar experience when I got my hatchling during her first shed. During her first shed she started to wheeze a little bit and it became more pronounced when she was excited or breathing heavy. I was worried so I took her to the vet after her shed, even though the symptoms had ceased. The vet gave me the explanation that sometimes during shed time the old layer of skin partially blocks the vent causing a wheezing sound like that of an RI. After the shed she was fine.

If your temperatures are what you say they are then chances are your snake developing an RI are not that high.

Edit: Opps didn't fully read the post...that is quite weird looking...

Yesterday I tried the vaseline trick and no dice, it's still in there, whatever it is. I'm just going to wait for a shed now.

Have you taken him to the vet yet Mousch? Very important for this little lad I think.


Over here in the UK I had to seek advice from the vet when I first got Bobby as he was well and truly infested with mites. The vet recommended Frontline and told us step by step how do use it on a snake. We followed her directions to the letter and the mite problem was quickly eradicated with no problems to the snake. I would not recommend you try this because the ingredients in Frontline are slightly different over here. There are certain chemicals we are not allowed to use under EU regulations which are permitted overseas, so our version of Frontline is different.

I think the best thing is to take him to the vet for a full check-up as has been suggested. If he has some problems then they can be nipped in the bud and if he gets a clean bill of health it will put your mind at rest too.

Good luck with the little fella.

That's what I'm gonna do, but even a short trip out of his cage has him stressed right now because he can't see, so I'm going to wait for this shed to finish to make the trip as quiet as possible. I haven't fed him yet, and it probably won't happen until after the vet now.

He ate for me today! He happily chowed down a F/T hopper! It's my birthday on Sunday.... but this is the perfect present :D

Brilliant:D It's always a good sign when they eat for you. Makes you feel good too. It doesn't matter how many times I watch my snakes eat, I always get a good feeling from watching them enjoy their meal.


Let us know how he gets on at the vets after he's had his shed, which as he's young should be any day now.

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Originally Posted by mousch

He ate for me today! He happily chowed down a F/T hopper! It's my birthday on Sunday.... but this is the perfect present :D

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He ate while still in shed congrats :D .

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Originally Posted by joepythons

He ate while still in shed congrats :D .

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I can't get over how cool the way he ate was. I mean I knew how they eat... but you have to see it to believe it! I was trying to explain it to my friends, they just don't get it! It was so neat ^^

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Originally Posted by mousch

I can't get over how cool the way he ate was. I mean I knew how they eat... but you have to see it to believe it! I was trying to explain it to my friends, they just don't get it! It was so neat ^^

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Yea it is wild to watch them eat.No matter how many times i watch my snakes eat i still watch every now and then.One thing that my ball pythons (my adults)do sometime while they are eating confuses me.They wrap themselves around the rat and stretch it as they eat:confused: .They do this every now and then and its not because the meal is to large either :O .Wait until you see the "cigar shot" this is when only the tail is in view out of the mouth :cool: .

He must know I wanted yet another birthday gift! I came out this morning to see a nice shed in two pieces, with whatever was in his heat pit on the shed. It almost looked like a clump of mud. It's gone, and he looks HOT now that he's shed! :D
I didn't get in the best inspection of his heat pits that I wanted because I didn't want to handle him obviously, but it looks like it's gone!

I like that shed skin shows soe of the pattern, that's really nifty.

So he ate, and his heat pit is all better! It's a good day for mouschy.

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Originally Posted by mousch

He must know I wanted yet another birthday gift! I came out this morning to see a nice shed in two pieces, with whatever was in his heat pit on the shed. It almost looked like a clump of mud. It's gone, and he looks HOT now that he's shed! :D
I didn't get in the best inspection of his heat pits that I wanted because I didn't want to handle him obviously, but it looks like it's gone!

I like that shed skin shows soe of the pattern, that's really nifty.

So he ate, and his heat pit is all better! It's a good day for mouschy.

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Thats great!! I would still go to the vet for a checkup and keep a close eye on the heat pit.Also a HAPPY BIRTHDAY :fest:

Yes. I'm gonna keep an eye on it but not until Monday because he's still digesting. He looks so good and it's so hard not to take him out and snap away with my camera!

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Originally Posted by mousch

Yes. I'm gonna keep an eye on it but not until Monday because he's still digesting. He looks so good and it's so hard not to take him out and snap away with my camera!

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Yea they are pretty sharp looking after a shed.Dont worry you will have plenty of time together for the handling times :)

Looks like we have some shed stuck but his heat pit is in fine condition (had to switch his newspaper last night, he splashed water EVERYWHERE and it was like a swamp in there lol) so I'm gonna soak/washcloth tonight or tomorrow. Both eyecaps came off fine though!

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Originally Posted by mousch

Looks like we have some shed stuck but his heat pit is in fine condition (had to switch his newspaper last night, he splashed water EVERYWHERE and it was like a swamp in there lol) so I'm gonna soak/washcloth tonight or tomorrow. Both eyecaps came off fine though!

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Awwww you messed up his swiming pool :P .

Haha if he wants his entire cage to be his swimming pool, I'm afraid that's a decision I'm gonna veto!

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Originally Posted by mousch

Haha if he wants his entire cage to be his swimming pool, I'm afraid that's a decision I'm gonna veto!

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Aww the poor baby is denied his swimming pool rights :tears: :rofl:

Due to circumstances of cost and time related to the keeping of a swimming pool for ball pythons the Mousch has requested that any and all donations*, questions, comments and complaints be sent directly and the situation will be shifted as circumstance allows


*donations will be accepted in the form of Pastel Ball Pythons

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Originally Posted by mousch

Due to circumstances of cost and time related to the keeping of a swimming pool for ball pythons the Mousch has requested that any and all donations*, questions, comments and complaints be sent directly and the situation will be shifted as circumstance allows


*donations will be accepted in the form of Pastel Ball Pythons

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LMAO you are so funny :P .

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Originally Posted by joepythons

LMAO you are so funny :P .

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I am benevolent dictator. While I do not allow in viv pools, I will assist him in his goal of stardom by posting pics in the pictures subforum!

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Originally Posted by mousch

I am benevolent dictator. While I do not allow in viv pools, I will assist him in his goal of stardom by posting pics in the pictures subforum!

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You meany :P :bow: lol