1st post: Concerned about Steve the Snake

[overprotective_owner]

Hi,

My husband decided that he wanted a Bally Python in November so we adopted a young male from PetCo. We immdiately had issues with mites and pneumonia so it's been a...learning experience. We finally got both under control but now Steve is taking a long time eating and he seems to keep having bad sheds. I'm really concerned so I hope you all can help. His last shed has his head down to about a 1/4 of body left over. I've tried soaking him and doing the wet pillow case but he doesn't move. I hope the following pictures are assessible...


https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16996287_594055367470334_3408827978744319240_n.jpg?oh=7d78684bec2d93b49ea4f462cd 37f66f&oe=59730199

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...6f&oe=59730199

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fb&oe=59466061

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...8b&oe=5973E0A2

[CALM Pythons]

Not sure what anyone can say to help you. I see his eye has one if not more stuck eye caps... Not sure how long this shed has been stuck but you will eventually have to make a vet Appt.... since you have tried the home remedies already. Pretty snake. Whats your humidity normally?

[CALM Pythons]

Also i have seen a snake loose meat (rotting) from stuck sheds, and whole tails fall off. This is very serious if not dealt with asap.

[bcr229]

Bad sheds are due to too low humidity but if your snake was on antibiotics for the pneumonia then those can force a shed which may also come off in tiny pieces or get stuck. The mite killer "Reptile Relief" is a solution of salts so if you used that to treat for mites then that will cause bad sheds also.

What is the snake's enclosure like? Tank, tub, PVC or melamine enclosure, or ?

Oh and if your snake came with mites then the Petco store is infested, never set foot in it again or you will have another battle on your hands to get rid of them.

[overprotective_owner]

His humidity is usually at 50% but I've been trying to maintain it at 70% + during this time. He's in an open glass terrarium with a screen top that I've covered with aluminum. He's been like this for a few weeks so I'll be taking him to the vet tomorrow morning.

Oh and mites are horrible! We had them come back 2 or 3 times before taking him to the vet and changing out his substrate to something more friendly. *sighs*

[CALM Pythons]

His humidity is usually at 50% but I've been trying to maintain it at 70% + during this time. He's in an open glass terrarium with a screen top that I've covered with aluminum. He's been like this for a few weeks so I'll be taking him to the vet tomorrow morning.

Oh and mites are horrible! We had them come back 2 or 3 times before taking him to the vet and changing out his substrate to something more friendly. *sighs*

Good luck. It sounds like your trying hard for him. Let us know hoe he is doing after the visit and what they suggest.

[Kaorte]

Just make sure to keep that humidity way up for the next shed cycle and the stick shed should come off with it.

Don't worry about how long he takes to eat. As long as he is eating you are good to go.

Consider replacing the glass tank with a tub setup or pvc enclosure. It will be a lot easier to maintain temps and humidity.

Is provent a mite still around for more treatements? I've used it a couple times in the past with great results. One spray and I never see them again. Consider this route if the mites pop up again.


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[overprotective_owner]

Thank you everyone! The vet helped him shed most of the stuck skin, including the eye caps. He reiterated what you all said; it's the humidity that's mostly the issue but he also said our tank is way too cold. I've upped the heat mat to 95 degrees and need to keep an eye on the cool side now since it's 70 or below. As for the eating, nothing to be concerned about. We're still learning his personality so I guess this is his time to be unhungry. Unforunately he still has pneumonia and back on antibiotics.