Skin Problem Emergency

Im new here, Im new to having snakes and Im freaking out. My ball python has had nothing but problems since I got her and I feel horrible. She had a bad shed a while back and I had to soak her until her skin finally all came off, and she didnt eat for two months and has finally eaten 2 mice in the last month. I was so excited and happy that I had finally gotten it! Someone told me her bad shed was due to her being too dry, so I started misting her, is that right? And I lifted her up today, and her skin is all crunchy like she is about to shed, but her belly is really squishy and her scales and kind of puffy? There appears to be blood under some of them and I dont know if she burnt herself on her heating pad, or if she has scale rot...or what to do at all!!

I have included photos, please help me!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ock/snake1.jpg

Of the 'blood' spots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...lock/snake.jpg

Of how its spread onto her side and is white and puffy looking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ock/snake2.jpg

Her crinkly dull skin :(



Please help me and Roxanne.

What substrate have you got her on?

i'm not sure about the blood, I will let someone with more knowledge tackle that one.

it appears she could be about to shed again. You need a digital thermometer to measure the humidity. Ambient humidity should be around 50%, and when in shed you can mist (yes it's ok, but don't soak her!) to bump the humidity up 60-70%

Wal-mart sells Accurite thermometers for around 11 dollars...they're cheap and a lot of people recommend them.

Can you please tell us how you're set up currently is? What are you using to heat with? If you're using a heat rock, then chances are your snake has been burned. You have got to find an alternate method of heating. There are plenty of methods and we're more than happy to guide you through the steps.

All in all a bad shed isn't something to 'stress' over. A soak or two and it's easily handled, but maintain the humidity levels at 50-60% will help you avoid most bad sheds.

As for the pics... it seems like it's more of a burn. Belly rot usually looks more rusty, but not bloody. What type of setup do you have? If you do not have anything controlling the heat source, then it's very possible you have a burn. I'd recommend getting to a qualified herp vet as soon as you can. In the meantime, I'd work on correcting your husbandry issues by using a thermostat or a dimmer to adjust the heat output and a digital thermometer to measure the temps.

She looks awfully skinny... maybe just dehydrated?

Where are you located?

A few things I'd recommend:

1. Put her on paper towels for the substrate.
2. Stop misting her.
3. Control that heat pad... either get a thermostat or at least a rheostat immediately. You will also need a way to measure the temps of the cage.
4. Get a vet to check her out as soon as you can. You should be able to find a vet in your area at http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm

It's impossible to diagnose something like this over an internet forum, and the most you can hope for is some helpful suggestions like mine and the others. In order to get her properly treated, though, an experienced herp vet will need to check her out in person.

Good luck!

Whew, thank you all so much, Im sorry I freaked out and posted alot and didnt give adequate information. She does look thin which is odd considering in the last 3 weeks she has eaten 2 mice. Decent sized mice also. I have a heat pad and all she does is lay on it...so it could possibly be a burn? If so, should I continue misting her and putting polysporin on it? I've moved her to paper towels with a water bowl, and I turned the pad off, now she only has a light but I worry that isnt keeping her warm enough, or it will dry her out. Gah, Im so new to this it scares me.

I will try to take her to the vet as soon as I can and money restrictions allow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrowxJane

Whew, thank you all so much, Im sorry I freaked out and posted alot and didnt give adequate information. She does look thin which is odd considering in the last 3 weeks she has eaten 2 mice. Decent sized mice also. I have a heat pad and all she does is lay on it...so it could possibly be a burn? If so, should I continue misting her and putting polysporin on it? I've moved her to paper towels with a water bowl, and I turned the pad off, now she only has a light but I worry that isnt keeping her warm enough, or it will dry her out. Gah, Im so new to this it scares me.

I will try to take her to the vet as soon as I can and money restrictions allow.

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Do you have a thermometer (which also measure humidity) if not get one...it is the ONLY way you will know if you are keeping her correctly.

Next it sounds like you are just plugging the heat pad into the wall? Is it on a Thermostat? If not then she pry has a burn from laying on it with it way too hot.

Put her on papertowels, and get a Thermometer so you can adjust her temps correctly. Once you have the temps adjusted then you can use neosporin on any burns she has. STOP misting the excess moisture is not good for a burn (until you know what they humidity in the cage is)

Keep us posted

This is an Acu-Rite from WalMart...about $12.00 or less plus the cost of an AAA battery. I'd really, really recommend you find the cash to get one of those immediately as adjusting your enclosure to the right temps and humidity isn't going to work until you actually know accurately what those are.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g/Acu-Rite.jpg

When you say she "lays on" the heat pad you do mean she's laying on top of her substrate (now paper towels) and that the heating pad is under the substrate and outside her tank right (I'm assuming she's in a glass tank of some sort). If possible could you take a picture of your setup as this often helps us help you.

O.k, shes in a glass aquarium and the heat pad on the bottom of the tank, she will never lay on her substrate, and I have the proper temperature, but she always chooses to lay under her bedding (I even have hide boxes for her) which is why I think she got too close to her heat pad and burnt herself. Is there something I can plug the heat pad into to manage its heat? Where can I get it?

Walmart has the accu-rite.I will go out today and buy it.

O.k, I have thermomaters in there, and they are on the right temperature with the pad and the light on, but now I dont have the pad on and its too cold, how can I control the pad?

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrowxJane

O.k, I have thermomaters in there, and they are on the right temperature with the pad and the light on, but now I dont have the pad on and its too cold, how can I control the pad?

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You will need either a thermostat or a rheostat (or lamp dimmer). A decent thermostat will cost between $60 to $135. A rheostat isn't as good, but it is much better than nothing and will cost around $15 at Home Depot or Lowes. If you don't have the money for a decent thermostat now, I suggest you run out and get the digital thermometer and rheostat today then save up for a decent thermostat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

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That is totally uncalled for response to this post for help. You need to check yourself.
I assume you where born w/ the unlimited knowledge of all that is ball pythons????

We are here to help not put people down. If you want to do that go somewhere else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

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you freakin jerk. she is asking questions to LEARN! that's what this site is for you jack ass!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

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You have no right whatsoever to tell her that. She's a new snake owner who was probably told the wrong info and actually bothered to come here to ask for help. She actually wants to help to improve the conditions in which she keeps her snake. She has been honest about the setup and has shown pictures. So please, for the best interest of all of us, dismount your high horse and leave. :mad:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

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When you bought your first snake did you know exactly everything about them? Probably not, no need to shoot someone down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

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That wasn't necessary. This person cares enough for her snake to seek help and assistance. Not everone will do the research necessary before getting an animal, but at least she recognizes a problem and is trying to do the right thing now.

This is going to sound silly but again I just want to confirm you mean the heating pad is on the bottom outside of the tank, not actually inside the tank with substrate over it. I know you must think I'm nuts but we have had instances where the heating source was put directly inside the tank so I'm just being sure and checking on that.

Pop out and grab an Acu-Rite and then you can see what your temps are. Get something to control the heat pad or for now go with overhead lamps (not a great thing but much better than something that may be burning your snake's belly). Put the tank in the warmest part of your home so that will help with a higher ambient room temp.

Jabba, I dinged you with a neg rep (I may as well mention it as you are sure to...I sign my reps good or bad). This poster is asking for help and what you posted is just overly mean and will only drive her and others away from the help they and their snakes need. We all make mistakes and share here to learn and help others. I would put money on it that this poster got that snake from a pet store, was likely given no or very poor husbandry advice there and is having problems which while unfortunate, are common in these situations. She is however here asking for advice, upset about her snake's condition and NOT taking this lightly from the tone of her posts.

BPNet is here to help people NOT beat them up verbally from behind a computer screen!

I see your new here. Good luck with your snake and welcome. I won't add any advice because it seems some of the best are already helping.


Please know your very welcome here. Don't let 1 bad egg scare you off. Most people here are great people. :D

:sunny:

Hey guys, I haven't seen anyone make mention of it, but her second picture, doesn't that look like blisters?


If it IS blisters, please try to get him seen by a vet as soon as you can. I know that money can be tight, but that looks pretty serious to me, and I'd be worried about them bursting and then infecting!

I also thought I made out blisters. The pics aren't the best quality but from the looks of it, I would take the snake to a qualified vet ASAP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

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:banned1:

Dont worry, I cant be scared off that easily when Im trying to get what I want/need. I went out today and bought a rheostat and gained a digital thermometer with a humidity gauge, thank god for pay checks ;) Right now I have the heat pad and the light, on a low setting, and I have layed down the newspaper and paper towels in a way so she can not get under them and get too close to the heater, but still giving her a hide box.

Her belly is already less pink and I applied more polysporin, hopefully when she sheds it will help clear it up. I know I did an aweful job of taking care of her, but Im willing to learn and get much better at what Im doing. So I thank all of you profusely for helping me. :oops:

What I have changed:
Not allowing her to get to the heat pad (which is on the outside bottom ;) )
A rheostat to keep it from getting less hot.
A thermometer.



And now Im patiently waiting for her to shed, which seems to be taking a while, probably due to stress. How often should a snake shed btw. She has been shedding almost once a month since I obtained her.

Thank you!

My BP will be a year old this may, and she's shed for me about 3 times since christmas (and should shed again in the next week). For younger snakes I'd say about every 4-5 weeks, then progressively less as they age. It all depends on their growth rate also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JabbaTheMutts

Please for the love of god give the snake to someone before YOU KILL IT!
People like you are a joke you buy a snake without a clue as to what the hell YOU are doing and the poor animal pays the price.

This animal may live up to 40 years. What are you going to do with it when its no longer cool to have?

Go watch american idol and talk to your friends. Leave the snakes for the people who know what the hell they are doing!

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how can you say something like this?! she's new to snakes and learning still. i think it was very wise of her to join this site to find out information about her snake. no one knows every single thing about snakes no matter how much they research, especially in the beginning.

welcome to the site, and like i said before, i think you made a great choice by coming here because there are so many people who will be able to give you great information. whenever you have a question, just ask! i hope all goes well with your snake! post some pictures for us when it sheds!

Turns out we live pretty close to each other Jane. You've got a PM with my phone number in it so please don't hesitate to call if you need anything (don't feel it's an imposition, I wouldn't give you the number unless I was happy to be of whatever help I can be).

Thanks for having my back, even though I probably deserved that remark, thanks again, I cant say it enough!

The only thing you deserve is props for searching out answers! I'm glad you found this place....You still need help from a herp vet, but you've definitely found the right place for advice.