The importance of checking your snakes....*graphic pic of pus*

[iPanda]

So, I like to think half the appeal of snakes is the low maintenance factor...but always remember to check your snakes daily!! This is why.

Last night my big retic shed. He's notorious for being a BAD pusher, no matter how full, what temps, how many hides or what size container. He's been better as of late, but he still rubs here and there. Anywho, i was taking him out to clean up his shed, and see this:



Nasty, right? Showed up OVERNIGHT. I check him nightly. So, there i was thinking it was just a scab from rubbing, so I pull as much off as he would let me and cleaned it with betadine. So today, I go in to clean again...this time, armed with needle nose pliers. this is the result of that:



NASTY. This thing was as big as the tip of his nose, poor guy. Moral of the story, is check for infections OFTEN. I got super lucky that this didn't spread to his brain or further into his mouth.