Help!

[blujay42]

Okay, here we go again. I'm sure you're all tired of hearing this type of thing.

Anyway I have an adult ball I have had for years and she came out this morning sporting a pair of brown/red lesions under her jaw. They are symmetrical and appear to be missing scales, directly under her eye centered on each side of the bottom of her lower separating jaw thing. I immediately stripped the tank clean, bleached it, and put in clean pine bedding- keeping the old wood chunks and hide out. I gave her a cardboard box to ball up in temporarily and a clean bowl of water.

I'm worried it's mouth rot, some other form of bacterial thing, or something fungal that I can't treat. I think she's clean of mites (they move a little bit if you're looking at them, right?).

She has over-head lighting and a humidifier/humid sponge box for shedding time, but even with that help in the winter here in the midwest she usually retains some scales near her head/neck.

I went ahead and Q-tipped her injuries with hydrogen peroxide, and I guess it hurt because she bit me; and that's totally uncharacteristic of this snake.

The problem is, I don't know where there's a reptile vet here. The nearest one is likely hundreds of miles away and I have no mode of transportation and no money.... I own a python because it's a low cost pet.

She isn't acting odd other than being sensitive to being touched on a wound, obviously. She's lively and flicking her tongue all the time, and her belly is otherwise healthy looking white.

Are there any methods I can use to remove the small amount of retained scales from the poor shed she had, and what else can I do/what signs should I look for? She definitely had adequate ruffage, and she's definitely not dehydrated, the humidity here is just impossible to maintain. for a few months each year. I never had this problem before my under-cage heater (literally) burned out, but again, no money.

[Maixx]

1st, don't use hydrogen peroxide, use betadine on injuries.

If you can't afford a reptile vet or proper set up, you should consider surrendering your snake to a rescue. These are not "low cost pets", these are exotic animals that have relatively strict housing requirements, and needs.

What your describing sounds like he needs veterinary care asap.

[The Serpent Merchant]

No more peroxide, it stops the healing process. Neosporin is out of the question as well. What you need it Betadine. It is sol at most drug stores. Simply dilute it in warm water and soak your BP (should be light tea colored when diluted properly.

I would put him on paper towels and just keep the cage hospital clean. Keep a close eye on him. Can you post a picture?

[Bill T]

1st, don't use hydrogen peroxide, use betadine on injuries.

If you can't afford a reptile vet or proper set up, you should consider surrendering your snake to a rescue. These are not "low cost pets", these are exotic animals that have relatively strict housing requirements, and needs.

What your describing sounds like he needs veterinary care asap.

I agree with ^^^. Ball pythons ARE NOT a low cost pet. They do have very specific requirements and if u are unable to meet those requirements then u should give the snake to someone more knowledgeable and deserving. When these needs arent met u are doing harm to the snake and lowering its quality of life. Something most people even give to the lowliest feeder rat is a little respect for another living thing.

[blujay42]

1st, don't use hydrogen peroxide, use betadine on injuries.

If you can't afford a reptile vet or proper set up, you should consider surrendering your snake to a rescue. These are not "low cost pets", these are exotic animals that have relatively strict housing requirements, and needs.

What your describing sounds like he needs veterinary care asap.

I totally agree with you and although I'll be eating beans and rice this month (American Exceptionalism! WOOOO WE DA BEST! Unless you're born on the bottom end... sigh) I arranged a ride into town and a vet appointment tomorrow. So she's got 23 hours left to wait I think he-she will make it.

I actually rescued this animal once already, so.

Low cost compared to say, a dog that has much more unpredictable/wider range of things that can go wrong, and a higher upkeep cost. In addition, cost includes time- something I have very little of- and in this way a snake is the perfect pet for me, because I have to leave town for 3-4 days it's not a problem.

[captainjack0000]

put in clean pine bedding

I wouldn't use this ever again. I've read a number of places pine is not good for snakes.

But it might have been a typo. I use fir bark and call it pine all the time.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I wouldn't use this ever again. I've read a number of places pine is not good for snakes.

Pine is ok as long as it is kiln dried... that said I still would avoid it since there are so many other good substrates that are available.

[blujay42]

Pine is ok as long as it is kiln dried... that said I still would avoid it since there are so many other good substrates that are available.

Would letting my snake live in crumpled newspaper be okay? Like small torn scraps shredded. I've considered it because it's free and because it would be very easy to keep completely clean.

Honestly at this point I am thinking the little bastard somehow managed a very unusual minor physical injury. The snake's behavior is entirely normal and feeding this afternoon was a snap. Of course, it might just be too early to tell, and if it's bacterial... well, that's why we have an appointment today.

I also set up a drip-can. I had never heard of those before and it seems like a good low tech supplemental humidity source.

I'm not sure, I think this is pine. I threw the bag out today. But it was branded for use in reptile enclosures.

[blujay42]

I can't find anything that looks remotely like this on the web. I'm curious what the vet will say.

[The Serpent Merchant]

even regular newspaper will work, I just use paper towels or corrugated wrap



Just because something is labeled for reptiles doesn't mean it is good. You are probably fine.