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  1. #1
    BPnet Lifer EL-Ziggy's Avatar
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    Something seems off

    My 2014 coastal hasn’t eaten since December, which doesn’t concern me because he takes food breaks every winter. He had a bad shed on March 23rd even though his temps and humidity are spot on. That was his first bad shed ever and somewhat concerning to me but I thought maybe he was a little dehydrated from not eating. Now it appears that he’s prepping to shed again. His underbelly is milky and his scales are getting darker. I’ve heard of back to back sheds but never experienced it with any of my snakes. Should I let this shed play out and go from there? Should I do a complete substrate change? I did recently move all my snakes from Reptile Prime to Reptichip. Could that have anything to do with it? I’d appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.
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  3. #2
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Since this is posted in 'general herp' & just to be clear for everyone, you're talking about your coastal carpet python, right?

    Honestly, I'd recommend getting a fresh stool sample checked by your vet as soon as he cooperates & makes some "available". It suggests to me also that something is going on- possibly* parasites because they do cause dehydration, and a snake's body tends to react to any sort of issue by trying to repair the damage via the shedding process. I personally doubt that it's due to your substrate unless there's some sort of contaminant that shouldn't be in it at all- and since both are main-stream products, I think that's unlikely. *And it might be some other health issue brewing as well, but a stool sample is a good place to start, IMO.
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 04-13-2021 at 11:47 AM.
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  5. #3
    BPnet Veteran WrongPython's Avatar
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    Re: Something seems off

    Sorry to hear that your carpet isn't feeling well, El-Ziggy.

    A stool sample/parasite check isn't a bad idea, particularly if you can pick your vet's brain while y'all are arranging things over the phone. A quick nido test via Fishhead to rule that out wouldn't be a bad idea either. It's fairly cheap, not particularly invasive, and you could do the test yourself at home. I'd also do a quick check for any new lumps or bumps. Cancer is always at the back of my mind, and it could potentially strike at any time...

    Good luck! Hopefully it's nothing major.

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  7. #4
    BPnet Senior Member jmcrook's Avatar
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    I'd doubt it's anything to do with parasites or substrate. Any other symptoms of unwellness such as wheezing or mucus? Nido test that WrongPython suggested isn't a bad idea, but the little bit I've looked into it it seems to manifest as slight RI symptoms if I'm not mistaken, which I very well could be. Hopefully it's nothing! Good luck sorting things out, Ziggy!

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  9. #5
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    When one of my boas started back-to-back sheds and he went off food, it turned out he had an internal infection caused by a scratch on the inside of his throat, most likely from a feeder. The rapid-fire shedding was his body's response to fight off the infection.

    Is your carpet python as active as he typically is, or has he gotten lethargic?

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  11. #6
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    I'd agree that it could totally be nothing wrong at all. I've not dealt with nido but what I've read parallels what jmcrook said- it's typically RI symptoms (or even asymptomatic). But El-Ziggy, you hit me as being a very attentive snake keeper, & sometimes it's just our gut that warns us that something isn't right, as in your choice of thread title- so while I HOPE it's nothing, it probably does bear some looking into.
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  13. #7
    BPnet Lifer EL-Ziggy's Avatar
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    Re: Something seems off

    Thanks all. I called a local exotic vet and she recommended that I try giving him a soak and double check his humidity which is currently at 50%. She said it doesn’t seem urgent and that I could bring him in next week or after he sheds. There’s no mucus or wheezing. He has been less active but I figured it was he’s prepping to shed again. I took out a small feeder and I’m going to see if he’ll eat. I’m thinking he’s dehydrated even though he has fresh water. If he doesn’t eat and have a clean shed I’ll take him to the vet next week.
    Last edited by EL-Ziggy; 04-13-2021 at 04:01 PM.
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  15. #8
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Re: Something seems off

    Quote Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy View Post
    Thanks all. I called a local exotic vet and she recommended that I try giving him a soak and double check his humidity which is currently at 50%. She said it doesn’t seem urgent and that I could bring him in next week or after he sheds. There’s no mucus or wheezing. He has been less active but I figured it was he’s prepping to shed again. I took out a small feeder and I’m going to see if he’ll eat. I’m thinking he’s dehydrated even though he has fresh water. If he doesn’t eat and have a clean shed I’ll take him to the vet next week.
    That sounds like a good plan- not really 'urgent' & you might find he seems quite himself again after his shed, so maybe it won't even be necessary...at least that's my hope. I feel a bit sorry for vets trying to figure out our stoic snakes, don't you? But like the example bcr229 gave, you never know.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  17. #9
    BPnet Veteran Caitlin's Avatar
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    I'm glad you're monitoring your animals so carefully - I am a big believer in trusting that little flicker of an impression that something just isn't right. Here's hoping the "not right" part is very minor and easily resolved with time, hydration, and a good shed.

    If you do opt to take him to your vet, please be sure that she knows that carpets are a bit prone to cancers so that she can take X-rays, etc. if it seems warranted. I'm going to hope and assume it's nothing like this, but not all vets are aware of that detail so it wouldn't hurt to let her know.
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  19. #10
    BPnet Lifer EL-Ziggy's Avatar
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    Re: Something seems off

    He refused a small rat but so did my only other carpet (jj x jcp) who’s still winter fasting. I’m gonna give him a soak later and see how this shed plays out. Thanks again everyone. 🙏🏾

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