From the post bcr229 linked to, Skin Slipping Disease is something that's been noted in Carpet and Diamond pythons. For those particular species, it looks to be a genetic predisposition towards some sort of vitamin deficiency. Something about those snakes just isn't quite clicking right. Maybe an unidentified autoimmune condition or genetic mutation.
In Bogertophis and I's case, we have both personally worked with severely malnourished animals who developed similar conditions. Mine was a ball python hatchling at a big box shop that went off food for 2 months while I was on disability. Apparently it had arrived from the breeder as a small thin little guy and the vet that saw it sadly wasn't as knowledgeable as I hoped. So I couldn't do much when I got back and saw the little one.
Interestingly enough, when I had worked more with dogs, I would work with toy breed dogs that had bouts hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It wasn't a thing that happens often (typically in the most severe cases) but about a week or two after recovering some of these puppies would just loose all of their hair. Completely bald. It would eventually grow back just fine, just took time. But again, skin reacting to that lack of nutrient.
You are right to an extent. Vitamin deficiencies or overdoses (and other problems like parasites) can definitely be caused by what we feed, we do need to make sure we are using properly raised/grown food items and the right supplements for the species that need it. I've seen some gnarly looking feeders at local pet stores that I've turned away before. I buy 97% of my feeders frozen from a reputable company because of it. But I don't think that is the problem for this little one based on OP's mention of malnourishment in the first post.









Reply With Quote