Is this chin rub? What should I do?

[McDevitt222]

Hello guys! Miyuki is my BEL ball python. Shes about 3 years old now. A little over a year ago I spotted these "sores" on her chin. It was a tiny little blemish. It almost looked like a defective scale or something. Then it scabbed over so I knew it was some kind of wound. So I sprayed it with novalsan until it seemed like it was clearing up. Then i noticed she was rubbing her nose around her tub. So I switched her to a larger tub. She didnt like the larger one so I switched it back. She seemed fine. I had her with my other ball pythons in my DIY rack system and the others were perfectly fine. Then she clearly needed a bigger tub so I provided one and she seemed to enjoy it. Now at this time she has had the sore and it was getting worse then better then worse then better. Now a few months ago i saw her chin started getting bad again and so I got fed up and bought a professional rack system. No holes for ventilation so she cant rub her chin on it. She shed a few weeks ago and it doesnt seem to be getting any better. Ive been spraying it occasionally with veteramycin and it doesnt seem like anything is helping. She is and always has been on paper substrate. Reptizorb fb70 liners in fb70 tub. Temps are fine and 90 on hot and 80 on cool. She eats like a champ (went off feed for a couple of months about a year ago) I feed frozen thawed so its not a bite or anything. I feel horrible that I cannot figure this out. Has anyone seen anything like this? Her mouth is nice and pink and isnt rotted or anything. Ive looked everywhere and I cannot find anything like this before. Please let me know what you think. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WKvbZ6S5aH6cZwEa9

[McDevitt222]

I made a vet appointment for Saturday. I know shes not in danger. Its not sensitive to her and she just ate last night so shes not in pain but id rather be safe than sorry. Maybe the vet can prescribe something? I love this snake dearly and it really bothers me that she has these sores. Obviously they dont bother her too much though haha. Below are the images.

[sp0420]

I bought a rather expensive snake a while back and she had similar marks on her chin. Breeder said it was from rubbing in the bag (yeah right). I think its from pushing around the tub if there's even the slightest gap or the snake is a very active snake. Mine got better every shed but after three sheds you can still see marks. Not open sores just marks. Ill post a pick and show you when I have time. (At work right now) Let me know what the vet says cause I'm very curious also. Marks looked exactly the same just not quite as bad. Now they're almost like little bruises. Hopefully she'll clear up with a couple more sheds.

Sean

[sp0420]

First pick is day I got her second is after first shed with me. Hope both our girls clean up 🤞

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery//sh...hp?i=59958&c=3

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery//sh...hp?i=59959&c=3

Sean

[McDevitt222]

WOW! First time ive seen this on anyone else!!! This is exactly it!! Mine goes through these cycles where it goes back and fourth from healing to worse then back and fourth. What do you do with an active snake? Lol

[sp0420]

Unfortunately had to put her in a decent sized tank so she can really move around instead of my rack and it's progressively getting better. Still not 100% sure that is the problem but that's what I think it is. I have a coupe snakes that just rub and nose like crazy in the rack. Let me know what the vet says cause I'm also very curious. Also beautiful bel those blue eyes are amazing.

Sean

[McDevitt222]

Thanks so much!! She is a beautiful girl! Ill letcha know what they say. I was thinking of simulating night and day cycles? Maybe she thinks its always night and she is freaking out? Lol

[jemongi]

I'm worried my snake is heading toward marks like this. He always noses at the opening of his tank, and it's been worrying me for ages. He has a mark on his chin that looked like a bruise and a tiny sore on the top of his snout. He's been eating fine, but I would love to know what your vet says. I've been thinking about getting a larger tank, since I think my snake might just like to explore and needs more room.

[McDevitt222]

Alright! So I brought her to the vet! $400 bucks later I find out shes fine lol. They did blood tests to see if it was infected and its not, her white blood cells are fine. They said her calcium is high which means her body is sending calcium to her follicles so she gave me medical grade calcium to squirt down her throat (im deff not doing that) so i will be putting it into the F/T rats mouth and feeding her. She gave me silvadine cream to put on her chin and it seems to be working (or the white cream is covering up the blemishes on my white snake lmao) but all is well. I bought a mini spy camera that has night vision to see what the hell shes doing in there when im not looking lol. So im very happy with the results. She has a follow up in a week. The vet bill was expensive but you cant put a price on peace of mind lol

[sp0420]

Glad to hear that she's all good. I think that it will clear up a little with every shed. Really shows how much you care for your animals to foot a bill just to make sure everything is ok 👍 I've been there a few times with different animals. Keep us posted on how she does.

Sean