Missing scales. Help needed!

Hi,
I noticed this morning that may BP has what appears to be missing scales on the front of his head. He usually eats for me fine every week, but for the passed two months has only eaten 4 times, I dont know if this is related. He is kept in a tub, on aspen and heated by two heat mats on seperate thermostats at 82F and 93F. He has two snug fitting hides on each spot. I really have no idea what could have caused this, or more importantly what it is?! Can anybody offer me advice? Should he be taken to a vet asap?

Any help is MUCH appreciated,

Cheers

Shotty

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...MG2292copy.jpg

oh by the way, his belly looks completely normal if it helps?
Cheers

...oh, and humidity usually stays around 54%.

anybody?! Im really concerned and I cant get an appointment with the reptile vet for 2 and a half weeks!!

I'm completely mystified, shotty. Not only are the two scales missing...but it looks like the scales immediately to either side are off-color...they look like they have puss under them or something...but I really have no idea.


The only thing I know to suggest is to make sure the snake is on a simple, clean substrate like newspaper...keep it extra clean...keep the enclosure warm and a bit dryer than normal to help slow the growth of any bacteria. Maybe apply some antibiotic ointment on it...make sure it does not have any pain reliever included in the ingredients.

And see if you can find a different vet. A wait that long for something that seems a bit more urgent just isn't right.

It looks to me like your snake has been rubbing his nose on a screen top perhaps. I have had that problem with bearded dragons and for that reason no longer use screen tops. I don't know your set up but I'll bet that the top has sceen and it acts like a file if the animals rub their faces on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

I'm completely mystified, shotty. Not only are the two scales missing...but it looks like the scales immediately to either side are off-color...they look like they have puss under them or something...but I really have no idea.


The only thing I know to suggest is to make sure the snake is on a simple, clean substrate like newspaper...keep it extra clean...keep the enclosure warm and a bit dryer than normal to help slow the growth of any bacteria. Maybe apply some antibiotic ointment on it...make sure it does not have any pain reliever included in the ingredients.

And see if you can find a different vet. A wait that long for something that seems a bit more urgent just isn't right.

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I agree Judy. Shotty? Do you feed the BP live prey? Maybe it's from an infected wound by chance? Either a bite or a nasty scratch?

I re read your post and you have him in a tub. Is their something rough he may be rubbing on?

Poor lil snake...i'm no expert, but i'm going to have to agree with everyone else. My guess is the top of the enclosure...best thing you can do is see a vet. If you can't find a good herp vet, then maybe try calling a couple regular ones. They should at least have a general knowledge and should be able to supply you with some cream of some sort to help the healing process along.

Did you drill holes in your tub? Drilling holes makes some nasty sharp plastic around them. I solder my holes so it all melts. If you drilled them, run your hands along the holes to check.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HadesBP18

Did you drill holes in your tub? Drilling holes makes some nasty sharp plastic around them. I solder my holes so it all melts. If you drilled them, run your hands along the holes to check.

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yeah, you gota be careful with that. i always drill mine, but i take a lighter to it in the end so i can get rid of the rough edges.

Just remove anything that could hurt him from his cage, anything he can rub his nose on and get hurt (if you have to take out his hides, replace them with something else, like a kitty litter pan). And wait for the vet..


Good luck!!

cheers for the help everyone! There is no sharp edges at all in his tub, all the holes are soldered and completely smooth. I also feed f/t prey so theres no chance a rat would of bitten him! Im so confused, and worried for my little guy. If i do get ointment from a vet, how easy/difficult is it to apply to a small snakes head?! I can imagine they dont like it too much!
Cheers

oh yeah, and will the scales grow back?

Shotty

ok, so i bought some tamodine...http://www.livefoods.co.uk/product_i...id=33...anyone had any experience with this? The reviews iv read say its pretty good.

I actually had a similar experience with a rescue, he had a wound that looked like that. I'd put him in a more sterile type enviroment (paper towels and simple deco) until that heals up. I used neosporin and it help alot. It helped keep it clean and moist (which helped for when he shed). I am sure the vet will give you some sort of ointment. The scales will come back but it will take awhile and he will probably have a scar there...

Any way he could have burned it on a hot bulb? Sound mysterious? How do you prevent again? :confused: Gotta be something?