Why is he sticky....?

Well, I just took Buddy out to hold him for a little while and noticed that he was sticky. Now, I just today switched from shelf liner to Aspen bedding and was wondering if anyone else has had that problem with the Aspen bedding? I also noticed while trying to figure out the sticky stuff, that he has a few scales on his neck that are brown around the edges...I don't remember that being there before. Anyway I tried to take a picture of it but my camera sucks so...its the best I could get. Any ideas are great! Thanks!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...uddyscales.jpg

Hi,

Does it wash off? Are there any other similar looking marks on the inside of the tub?


dr del

The brown is the beginning of scale rot, keep him dry and keep an eye on it. It "should" go away in the next shed if you keep him dry.

As for sticky, the thing that crosses my mind is mucus. Are you seeing the edges of his water bowl or sides of his enclosure being "slimed"? If so - you need to get him to a vet to be treated for a respiratory infection.

If you're not seeing mucus I would check your humidity level. If he's near shed and the humidity is very high he may feel a bit slimy to the touch. It's happened to me before when I accidentally bumped the humidity to 90 the night before her shed and when I moved her to get it lowered back down she was definately slimy! Perfect shed though.

As for the brown scales, I agree with rabernet that it looks like scale rot. If you don't notice mucous or any signs of an RI I would at least treat with an antibacterial cream that doesn't have pain relievers in it.

To identify an RI check out number 8 here: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=31102

I really don't think its mucus, its not slimy at all. It feels like dried soda or something on him, lol. But it smells like wood, so...I dunno. As far as the scale rot goes I'm gonna keep a close eye on it. The shelf liner I was using before would stay kind of moist at times so he would be sitting in a moist environment. Which is partly why I changed to Aspen bedding. If the scale rot does not clear up by next shed or gets worse I'll let you guys know. Thanks again!

I'd suggest the switch over to paper towel until it does clear up, and making sure to use some antibacterial cream to ensure there's no infection. If he stays sticky though I'd look further into why, and possibly a vet visit :)

Ok, have to ask: WHY did you have shelf liner in your snake cage?? And I certainly hope it wasn't the adhesive kind. At times, those products can leech out things when wet. Learned this by putting some in my rat cage long ago. That may be the source of the sticky.

If not, then yes take the snake in to be checked out and see what's going on. Also, try and recall if he could have slithered through anything while you had him out. :) Lottsa luck.

Ever think it was sap? It could have gotten into the aspen bag?

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Originally Posted by stangs13

Ever think it was sap? It could have gotten into the aspen bag?

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Thats what I was kinda thinking too because it has the consistency of sap..and smells like wood so...

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Originally Posted by Argentra

Ok, have to ask: WHY did you have shelf liner in your snake cage?? And I certainly hope it wasn't the adhesive kind. At times, those products can leech out things when wet. Learned this by putting some in my rat cage long ago. That may be the source of the sticky.

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I had shelf liner because I was told that it would work as a "substrate." It was not the kind with sticky backing, just the stuff with the rubberized grip on the back... I'm learning more and more everyday and trying to make everything RIGHT for my snake now. I'm tryin, if I weren't I would be here :) Thanks guys!

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Does it wash off? Are there any other similar looking marks on the inside of the tub?


dr del

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It does wash off but it takes some rubbing-which makes me think it could be sap. There are no other marks on the cage or anything else that that... He seems healthy otherwise, no signs of an RI.

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Originally Posted by Jolynn_2003

Thats what I was kinda thinking too because it has the consistency of sap..and smells like wood so...

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That's probably what it is. I've seen it in cypress mulch before.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jolynn_2003

I had shelf liner because I was told that it would work as a "substrate." It was not the kind with sticky backing, just the stuff with the rubberized grip on the back... I'm learning more and more everyday and trying to make everything RIGHT for my snake now. I'm tryin, if I weren't I would be here :) Thanks guys!

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Ah. Of course. That's the kind I had in my rat cage, and it gets bleah when it gets wet. :)

Not trying to blast ya there, just asking why you used that stuff. Should have known someone told you. Good work learning the right stuff!