What should i do?

[Justin Hatton]

i bought my first snake which is a normal BP from a local small petshop...i thought all was good, but when my buddy that has years of experience with snakes looks at my snake and says he looked to have a small bit of scale rot so i took her up there for them to look at...they said it was just a small abrasion that had healed and should go away after it sheds...so after we talked i asked if i could see one of there bigger bps and as i was holding him my experienced friend noticed that it had mites...the employee acted like it was no big deal and said ill just clean the cage...they had a 20 gallon with about 3-5 year and a half old snakes in it...and the tank had 2 regurgitated mice in it that looked like they had been there for a few days and i was told that they feed every snake on tuesdays and this was sunday so it was probably regurgited either tuesday or wednesday...the water bowl had poop caked to the bottom and poop all over the cage...i bought a baby so it was not in the same tank as the big ones...it just looked like really bad living conditions all together...my questions are should i go ahead and treat mine for mites just in case but i have not seen any or any signs of em on my snake, also should i go ahead and put some neosporen on the abrasion just incase, and should someone be contacted about the poor living conditions...nedless to say i will not be purchasing anything else from that shop.

[Kymberli]

Well, I'm not sure if it is possible, but my first response would be to ask for my money back and return the snake to them. Then buy one from a breeder that your friend could possibly refer you to if he knows any.

As far as the conditions of the store, unfortunately this is very common and I don't think there is much you can do other than not giving them your business. Someone else here may have other suggestions.

[Justin Hatton]

ya i would return it but me as well as my girlfriend have already become attatched...lol...when i told her i was taking it up there to get looked at she told me not to get a different one cuz she liked that one...i ws told that she looked healthy.

[Melody]

Personally id definitely take the snake back and find a breeder or at least a well put together reptile shop. Its sad but sometimes you cant save them all. Depending on what is exactly wrong with the snake it could wind up costing you way more than you could imagine...
As for reporting the store, i would. It might or might not make a difference but i think you should do it anyway.
Im very sorry and good luck with what ever you choose

[Kymberli]

ya i would return it but me as well as my girlfriend have already become attatched...lol...when i told her i was taking it up there to get looked at she told me not to get a different one cuz she liked that one...i ws told that she looked healthy.

I understand completely, I am attached to my snakes and would not want to give them up. If you so choose to keep it, please be prepared to pay any veterinary treatment that it may require. Good luck, Justin!

[Justin Hatton]

as far as i know it is healthy...it eats well it doesnt act funny...it is active...and that spot on scales is just a small line and that is all...there is no swealing around it or nething and like i said i havent seen a sign of mites

[Kymberli]

as far as i know it is healthy...it eats well it doesnt act funny...it is active...and that spot on scales is just a small line and that is all...there is no swealing around it or nething and like i said i havent seen a sign of mites

I would suggest just keeping her on clean paper towels, changing them out whenever they are soiled. Keep an eye on the spot to be sure it is not spreading. As long as she is eating regularly, I wouldn't worry until she sheds. Hopefully then it will improve, if not just go from there. If your friend thinks it is the beginning of scale rot, just be sure the paper towels in her enclosure are kept dry (while maintaining proper relative huidity).

[Skittles1101]

No need to return it, I totally understand becoming attached and it's honestly unnecessary since mites are easily treated. I'd treat for mites (with Provent a Mite) as directed on the can, and never go into that shop again. I'd watch the supposed scale rot, and take out any substrate you use and replace with paper towels asap. If the scale rot looks mild you can always try Neosporin (without the pain killer...just the plain) once a day until he/she sheds. If it looks better after the shed then you know it was the problem and it was fixed. Without pictures of the belly there's no way to diagnose anything, so don't take my word for it. Can you post a nice close up clear shot of the area you suspect?

http://www.pro-products.com/index.ph...d=53&Itemid=59

[Justin Hatton]

i can get a pic in a few...it looks like it is clearing up just since friday when i noticed it...it is like a line about a half inch long up the middle of the belly about 3 inches up from her vent...but it is looking better.

[Kymberli]

i can get a pic in a few...it looks like it is clearing up just since friday when i noticed it...it is like a line about a half inch long up the middle of the belly about 3 inches up from her vent...but it is looking better.

Hmmm, if it is a hatchling are you sure it isn't just the "belly button"? Picture would be great, but depending on how young it is it could just still have a scar from the umbilical cord, I believe. Unless of course the pet store is correct, then hopefully it'll disappear soon.