Spartacus


2013 (may) male pastel het red axanthic BP – 736 grams


Terrarium Contents/Cleaning


Ive had him since he was a baby. I started off by using plantation soil as a substraight in his 20 gallon exo terra terrarium, he has his hide and water dish alone with some imitation plants, and wood fixtures that I got from the local reptile store. I clean his home every week while hes being fed. I use part bleach and part water, disinfect everything, rinse it thoroughly, dry it off and put it back in place. Im very avid on keeping it clean properly since day 1.


Feeding


I feed live rats to him weekly. He had one down time for about 2 -3 months he wasn’t eating much, my records show that he consumed about 4 small rats in this time, which is what he usually eats in one month. This was last May-July, hes picked up his eating and everythings normal. Extremely active throughout this time.


Problem


Ive noticed when he was about 6 months old something that looked like “ scale rot” on his belly. I asked around, the breeder, reptile store professionals, and friends of friends who keep BP’s – their answer was “ its stuck shed it will come off” as it did. It wasn’t too bad at all. Everything cleared up and he was okay. Few months later it happened again, and a little worse… I figured it was the same problem as his temps and humidity is perfect, his home is very clean etc. It shed off with his next shed. These times I used non pain poly and gave him good soaks to help with the stuck shed. Worked perfect.


I was horrified when I saw this happening again this month. So I started again what I used to do, take out the plantation soil, use papertowel/newspaper while hes “ healing” – Gave him betadine baths, and used the poly while waiting for my vet apt I had immediately made, first opening sept 20 at noon which was the next day. Now Spartacus had just shed and it didn’t look so bad. Just the aftermath, a little red on his belly etc… the vet had told me its an allergic reaction to something. I narrowed it down to his substraight. In the past it seems that I removed it while healing, and I put it back after and with time the problem re appeared again. The vet assured me its not scale rot, he looks great, healthy, he checked him all out etc. Said I was a good owner for bringing him in as most people wait too long.


He suggested taking out the substraight that I was using for good (which I already planned to do) making sure hands are clean, no soaps, perfumes etc… no smoking around him, he suggested a lot of pre cautions for other things that could trigger his reaction to what I think is the plantation soil ( I could be wrong)- we have been doing this since. It seems after that shed, it happened again, and worse then ever. Ive called the vet again and brining him in again tomorrow (first appointment available) –


Mind you after the last shed, it almost appeared to have some stuck shed on his lower half where the problem area is… but its turning brown, and lifting, its not swollen and separating… just peeling in some areas, and discoloured. Almost like a blister popped in a couple areas. Also on his top, it looks like he has some of his coloured scales coming off. Just one by one, here and there? I don’t know if it’s the poly that’s causing it to slip off? The pictures look horrible… Hes completely active and seems normal.


My question is, has anyone experienced anything like this before. Is there any advice that anyone can give me that would be helpful. Keep in mind this is NOT a case of neglect and a dirty home for my Sparty, Hes very well kept and cared for.The vet didn’t give us any cream or medication just advice…


Any help would be appreciated. I feel horrible and I just cant figure it out.


Thanks for reading.

im trying to figure how to get pictures on here...