The Healing: Blisters disease

[BTreptiles]

I was browsing craigslist in my local area when I came across a cry for help. "ARE THERE ANY SNAKE RESCUERS OUT THERE?!?!"

I, of course, opened it. Because I can't help it.

Inside was a project. An animal crying for help. My sweet, sweet Karma.


This is blisters disease (vesicular dermatitis), a bacterial disease where the snake lays in wet substrate, dirty substrate or otherwise contaminated surfaces for far too long and far too cold. Upon further examination, it appears as if the last time she had shed, her belly scales stayed on and created a layer for the bacteria to breed and ferment in her belly.
I immediately called the craigslist number and asked for her to be handed over ASAP for medical assistance. We went and picked her up that afternoon. She REEKED of necrosing flesh and was oozing black and brown sludge out of the worst parts of the infection, with pus filled scales blown up like a balloon.




I was told she hasn't eaten in 3 months, has been rather lethargic as of late and a touch moody. Can't say I really blame her. Upon her arrival home, she was immediately put in a "weak tea" solution of betadine and antibiotic solutions.


Note for people who have found signs of blisters disease on their babies -- HAVE BETADINE ONHAND ALLLLWAYS, it will be your life saver. This soak was a bit strong, and in lioght or early cases this will not need to be this dark.

After a few soaking days of at least 15 minutes in the solution, she went to the vet to receive her medcam and have her scales pruned where possible.

Within a few days she was deep in shed mode, eye caps were clear, she was getting squirelly and randy when picked up and poked and bathed. But when she shed, it was a miracle in the making..

TWO hours, 1 bite and lots, and looooots of hissing later...





She had failed shed that morning just due to the amount of scale damage all over her body, and its just as well as her scales were ROTTEN where the worst of the damage was. I had to use dry Qtips and tweezers to remove the rotten scales from underneath the new, recovering scale flaps.




But the effort was worth it.. Seeing these scales OFF her body, and her beautiful new body.. It was such a blessing. All my efforts, all my love, and all her fight and drive.. It made all this adventure worth it. She's still not eating today, but she's interested in the food put in front of her. A HUGE improvement from when I got her.

All in all, in saving Karma, she helped me change myself. Even a normal ball python has worth, her spirit and her courage in the face of months and months of pain helps keep me on my path and keep me determined as well. I couldn't be happier that she's recovering. I couldn't be happier she's finally learning a life without pain again.



To keep updated on Karma's story as she grows, makes a 100% recovery and becomes a valuable member of Beyond Temptation Reptiles, follow her story on www.facebook.com/beyondtemptationreptiles