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  1. #1
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    Need advice for bp belly scale issues?

    I have a 1 yr old male bp (just a regular morph) who is having some scale issues and i don't know what's causing it or what to do about it. He previously had cuts on his belly from a fake log hide that was too sharp, and along with the cuts he starting developing scale issues and what looked like early signs of scale rot. He shed shortly after and it seemed to have all cleared up, but 2 months later his scales are in bad condition again. The shiny top layer over the belly scales is broken and constantly comes off, no matter what I try more get damaged and come off. I don't know what happened and what to do to fix it

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    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Did you use any topical medication on his cuts to heal them? Any time there's a break in the skin, whether it's yours or your pet's, you need to keep the area clean as much as possible so an infection doesn't get started. What substrate were you using then, & what are you using now? While a snake is healing, plain white paper towels are recommended, & keep the enclosure clean with frequent wipe-downs using a spray such as diluted F10 or diluted chlorhexidine. Promptly spot-clean all excrement.

    What are the temperatures in the enclosure? Lowest & highest? What kinds of heat is being used? How is it regulated? This could also be a "burn" from excessive heat. Burns can be serious, as can infections. You may need a vet's help: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

    It's pretty hard to help without seeing your snake, by the way. >>> https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures

    It would also help to post pics of your set-up- there may be something he's injuring himself on that you haven't thought of.

    But even if we see the issue, please understand that while we aim to help you figure out what's going on, we're no substitute if you should need a vet's care.

    I assume you got rid of the fake log that caused the initial cuts? FYI, many things sold for tropical fish in pet stores have sharp edges inside- they're NOT suitable for snakes (it's obvious now as to why), so even though they look like cool accessories, always check for safety- snakes like to push their way into things to feel snug & safe- whereas fish don't do that.

    Also avoid anything with holes large enough for your snake to crawl into where he may become stuck-it's not fun trying to cut a snake free when they cannot back out (due to the directional lay of their scales).

    BTW,
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 02-27-2021 at 06:14 PM.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  4. #3
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    Re: Need advice for bp belly scale issues?

    I did use topical medicine as well as regular baths until he was healed to make sure it didn't get worse, and he healed from that completely. I've been using a mix of eco earth (coco fiber), forest floor (wood chips), and sphagnum moss for both of my bps, and i switched his substrate out with paper towels when he was injured and was planning to again but I'm hesitant because he's prone to respiratory infections.

    The temps are around 75 (fahrenheit) on the cool end and i have the heat pad set to 85 (90 when they're being fed). I use heating pads and thermostats for all my bps and i check with a temp gun and my hand often. I took out the fake log that hurt him initially and he hasnt gotten stuck in any holes, I made sure the ventilation holes are way too small for it to happen.

    If the vet could do something about this I'll take him but i can't really afford to take him if it's something they can't change, y'know? The closest exotic vet is several hours away and extremely expensive, and I have no idea if they're really reliable.

    I currently can't post pics unfortunately. The camera on my phone is badly shattered and the front facing one is blurry and too low quality to show the scale issues I'm talking about. The best I can give for it is that the clear top layer covering his belly scales is coming off. It looks like it's been broken somehow and his movement takes it off the rest of the way. There are a good few scales that have part of that clear layer sticking out from the scales and then it comes off when he moves. I felt around his enclosure and everything was soft enough that it shouldn't do that. He has a real wood half log hide that is very soft and he doesnt go on top of often, and his other hide is made from completely smooth plastic that has no sharp or scratchy edges or anything and he also doesn't go on top of that basically ever. The water bowl is sturdy plastic that is somewhat rough, like the real wood hide, but it's not sharp in any way. There's a fake vine plant on the side of the enclosure that he doesn't climb on and the stem is smooth plastic with no wires while the leaves are essentially cloth. His humidity box has no lid and is just a plain circular tupperware container with rounded sides and sphagnum moss inside. I can't find anything that could be rough enough to cause it, the stuff i have in my other bp's enclosure is more rough than the stuff in his enclosure and my other bp has no scale issues and has never has any scale issues. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how to stop it and I've been turning up empty. I'm hoping it'll stop once he sheds again

  5. #4
    BPnet Veteran nikkubus's Avatar
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    Why is your heat pad only set to 90 while being fed? Where are you measuring the 85/90F? What is your humidity like?

    Diagnosing something over the internet is pretty difficult even when we can see pics. He really does need a qualified vet as expensive as it might be. Fungal treatment might be necessary depending what is causing the scales to do that. I feel like getting cut is unlikely in how you are describing things, but again, its really hard to tell without seeing it :/
    7.22 BP 1.4 corn 1.1 SD retic 0.1 hognose

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    I can only guess without seeing your snake, but what I suspect is that the topical medicine you used was something like Polysporin or Neosporin...is that right? Ointments that are made for humans are petroleum jelly based, & if you use more than a tiny bit, they can cause the scales on a snake to separate ("de-laminate"), & it sounds like that's what you're seeing.

    For future reference, you should use an ointment (water-based) that is made for snake/reptile use -"Vetericyn"; or you can use diluted Betadine (aka povidone-iodine).

    If my hunch is correct, then this should eventually clear up after more sheds...that's how snakes heal. But I can't tell you exactly how many sheds... (fyi, the soaking probably didn't help either)
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  9. #6
    BPnet Lifer dakski's Avatar
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    Re: Need advice for bp belly scale issues?

    Adding to what bogertophis said, if you do use antibiotic ointment (like neosporin), make sure to use the one with only the antibiotic agent. The pain killer agent can be lethal to reptiles. Not saying you should, but in some cases, and for short periods, it can be helpful, for some injuries.

    I know it's been said, but I would be using a very clean substrate like printless newspaper or paper towels so the belly can heal (hopefully - as we are not sure exactly what's going on). I would also remove any unnecessary decorations. Hide on hot side and identical and snug hide on the cool side. Something easy to clean like the plastic reptile basics hides with the offset "door." The more stuff, the harder to keep clean.

    You mention RI issues - that can come from too high or too low humidity. The snake has been diagnosed with an RI?

    What kind of tank are using? There are other ways to address humidity.

    Also, as nikkubus said, why are you adjusting temperatures when your BP's eat? I would want the hot spot to be consistent and no more than 90F. Additionally temp guns are great but hands, not so much.

    The number one reason snakes get ill is poor husbandry. There are other reasons such as age, injury, etc. However, RI's, scale issues, etc. are almost always a husbandry issue often combined with age making it worse. In this case, you say your BP in question is one years old. I would be simplifying your setup, get temps dialed in, and let this snake heal, if it can.

    Not trying to be difficult or accusatory, and many of have had sick animals, but it does sound like there is more you can do to improve husbandry, and less you should do it terms of what "treatments" you are using.

    If you don't want to see a vet, get on top of the above.

    Good luck and keep us posted.
    Last edited by dakski; 02-27-2021 at 11:51 PM.

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