Bruised ball python

Hi

This 3-6 month old ball python has just done its first shed with us, he shed well. He feeds well but he has a bruise on his kneck area.

Sorry about the poor quality pic but its off my mobile phone camera.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7...uisein6.th.jpg

I thought he had either been burnt or caught himself on something sharp. But the heat mat is under the viv and the lamp is well out of the way so it cant be those that caught it. The other thing i thought it could be is that has got over enthusiastic whilst rubbing himself free for shedding, but i cant find any sharp objects in his viv.

In the viv with him is a fairly large bit of bog wood type wood, an exo terra hide and an exo terra water bowl.

Im new to snakes and this is my first ball python, so does anyone have any idea what it is? whats caused it and how to provent it?

TIA

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Originally Posted by loveboatcaptain

Hi

This 3-6 month old ball python has just done its first shed with us, he shed well. He feeds well but he has a bruise on his kneck area.

Sorry about the poor quality pic but its off my mobile phone camera.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7...uisein6.th.jpg

I thought he had either been burnt or caught himself on something sharp. But the heat mat is under the viv and the lamp is well out of the way so it cant be those that caught it. The other thing i thought it could be is that has got over enthusiastic whilst rubbing himself free for shedding, but i cant find any sharp objects in his viv.

In the viv with him is a fairly large bit of bog wood type wood, an exo terra hide and an exo terra water bowl.

Im new to snakes and this is my first ball python, so does anyone have any idea what it is? whats caused it and how to provent it?

TIA

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How long have you had him? It might be from something before you bought him.Is it a captive bred(from a breeder) or a captive hatched(most pet stores carry these)?

We were told captive hatched, it was bought from a shop :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by loveboatcaptain

We were told captive hatched, it was bought from a shop :snake:

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Then it is CH import.... probably an injury it attained at the shop!

Is it only showing now because its his first shed with us?

Is there anyway to help him out?

Not there to see it, so I can't even be sure what it is.... a vet visit may be needed.

Please take your bp to a vet. IMO, a vet visit is in order.

Ill take it to the vet, but it will be wednesday before i can get there :( is there anything i can do in mean time to help him?

Honestly, I dont know. But I would not handle your bp at all and leave him to rest, that looks like it may hurt, and who knows what it is. I cant really tell... please do let us know how it turns out once you see your vet.


What kind of enclosure are you housing your bp in? Is that an exo terra terrarium?

Its an exo terra, its the 12"x12"x18". Ill leave him alone and get him to a vet, he still seems very active and he's doing his usual mooch around the viv though so i guess he isnt in too much pain? i guess ill just have to wait till i get to the vet.

Thanks, ill let you know how i get on.

Do you use a thermostat with your heat pad? They can get unbelievably hot and burn your snake without a thermostat or a dimmer.

I suggest these.

ooo looks really painfull & red.. Good luck at the vets :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bpkid

Do you use a thermostat with your heat pad? They can get unbelievably hot and burn your snake without a thermostat or a dimmer.

I suggest these.

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I doubt that it could be from a heat pad because it looks like the bruising is on the top of the snake.

Yep a vet visit certainly looks in order. Until then I'd strip the enclosure to a bare minimum of things (just two hides and a water dish and remove all other cage furniture) and replace the substrate with layers of plain papertowels. Also never worry about asking to speak to your vet directly or a vet tech at the clinic for advise on home care while you wait for your appointment. They may even see you sooner if you explain the situation (offer to email them that photo).

Well, whatever it is it sure looks uncomfortable. :worry:

Take it to the vet, until then put neosporin on it every day.

Took it to a vet today - didnt realise they were open on a sunday and he;s fine. Turns out its just irritation from the water. Where we live we have quite hard water so its getting on his nerves. He probably cant feel it and it will go with the next shed.

Ill just use reverse osmosis water in future. Im going to another Vet on wednesday though, just for a second opinion.

He ate fine today and before that was very active when being handled so i dont think he's in pain, but it doesnt hurt to get a second opinion.