This doesn't look right, I need help (please look)

[Dianna]

My adult BP finished shedding 4 days ago. While in shed he always stays in his hide box so I won't see him for over a week. As usual, after his shed he was cranky for the first 2 days. Typically after 24-48 hours he goes right back to being a total sweetheart.

On the third day after his shed, I noticed some strange behaviour from him. He was acting aggressive and downright angry- he was making "darting" type movements in a similar manor to "hunting mode". I figured, "hey, we all have bad days" and decided to give him some space. Today is the fourth day after his shed and his bad attitude continues, so I've started to worry. I decided to take him out of his tank and inspect him to try to figure out what's wrong. I noticed that his vent appeared red, so I quickly grabbed my camera and started taking pictures. While taking pictures, he opened his vent slightly and I realized it looks much worse than I initially thought.

While taking these photos I fully expected him to strike me, fortunately he did not, but he was in his striking position virtually the entire time. He was NOT pleased that I was touching him, or even near him. I literally had to use a towel to get him back in his tank. I thought covering his head would be the easiest for both of us, though I feel extremely guilty for upsetting him so much. He is typically SO tame, so I am wondering if his new found aggression is caused by being in pain.










I should also mention that 1 month ago I took him to a vet to get a "physical" and also to have his feces tested for parasites. One of the first things my vet did was probe him (at my request) as the vet visit continued, I realized just how inexperienced she was. She seemed to lack basic snake knowledge. Now I'm wondering if it's possible she damaged him while probing him. I am extremely new to snakes (got my BP in august) so I don't know if the probing could be a culprit, but it is the first thing I thought of.

I have double checked the stats of his tank, everything appears normal. Ambient air temp is 81F, hot side belly heat is 91F, humidity is around 50%.

Also, he peed both solid and liquid right after his shed, it appeared very yellow (no blood) but I thought perhaps he hadn't been drinking much water during his shed, thus causing his pee to be so yellow. He hasn't pooped for 1 month, but I'm not extremely surprised because he chose to fast for over 2 weeks after his vet appointment. Typically I feed him every seven days, he refused two meals in a row, but has since started eating again.

Sorry to make such a long post, but I am really worried about him. The thought that he could be in pain is very upsetting.

I would appreciate any thoughts/ideas as to why his vent would look this way. I do not have a day off from work until Monday to take him to a vet (I found a much better one than the one who probed him) however, I might end up taking a morning off from work if he does not show immediate improvement.

[cinderbird]

i would absolutely be making an appointment with your new vet. This isn't something I've seen or heard about before.

What kind of substrate are you keeping him on? if its a piece substrate like aspen its possible a piece stuck to the inside of him when he expelled urine and urates and is causing the irritation you see, but i wouldn't trust anyone without experience to check for such a thing.

[Dianna]

I use clean newsprint paper as his substrate. It is the exact same texture as a typical newspaper, only without the ink.

I was very disappointed by my last vet appointment, but I have since found a new vet. It is a husband and wife duo who have specialized in reptiles for 20 years. I have heard very good feedback about them from numerous reptile owners. It is further away than my last vet, but I would drive to the moon for a qualified and trustworthy vet.

[singingtothewheat]

yea, this looks more like an infection after trauma, could have been the probe, perhaps a piece of substrate stuck. Definitely has an infection going on though and I would bet it isn't to comfortable.

[Dianna]

I will be taking him to the vet ASAP, my boss will have to understand. How is something like this typically treated? An antibiotic cream? An injection?

Is there anything I could do for him in the meantime? I'm horrified to think this could have been caused by my stupid curiosity of his gender

[2kdime]

Almost reminds me of the beginnings of a burn as that area is more sensitive and usually starts to show signs first.

BUT, the blood tells me something else is going on.

I'd say a vet visit is in order. Though I really don't know what they're going to be able to do for him.

Almost makes me think your inexperienced vet probed him in the wrong direction....??

I'd soak him for a bit and maybe add a LITTLE chlorhexidine to help kill any bacteria that are present.

[Dianna]

Almost reminds me of the beginnings of a burn as that area is more sensitive and usually starts to show signs first.

BUT, the blood tells me something else is going on.

I'd say a vet visit is in order. Though I really don't know what they're going to be able to do for him.

Almost makes me think your inexperienced vet probed him in the wrong direction....??

I'd soak him for a bit and maybe add a LITTLE chlorhexidine to help kill any bacteria that are present.

I don't see any blood, its just very red. I certainly hope it is not burn related... His UTH is plugged into a thermostat. I check his belly heat with an infrared thermometer quite often.

[2kdime]

Oh sorry, I thought I saw blood.

I don't see any blood, its just very red. I certainly hope it is not burn related... His UTH is plugged into a thermostat. I check his belly heat with an infrared thermometer quite often.

[Toronto Python Gurus]

Just a guess, but it looks like an infection, most likely cause by the vet, he/she might nothave cleaned/disinfected the probe before using it on your snake

[Ames]

looks like it may just be an infection. it could come from the rats your feeding him.. if its from different places they may feed their rats other things than other places and it could cause irritation and discomfort that your snake has. just a suggestion, but i would definately have him checked out.. let us know!