Burmese size/growth question

[Caitlin]

Update on this young Burmese, who has turned out to have just a wonderful sweet temperament and outgoing nature.

He's so small because he was apparently severely neglected in his first couple of years of life. He was being given an injection at the vet for a minor injury (he cut himself climbing around the heat lamp cage), and while giving the injection, a large section of skin on his back just entirely degloved. It was pretty horrific; I don't think I will share the photos.

Thank all the heavens, his veterinary care is with the exotics specialists at Tufts University, so they gave him a light sedative and did an entire battery of bloodwork, X-rays, cytopathology, skin biopsy, etc. They are still waiting on final results from some of the labwork but preliminary evidence points to severe and prolonged malnutrition - so much so that the snake most likely actually has metabolic bone disease (MBD) which is usually seen in lizards like leopard geckos or bearded dragons who don't get enough UVB light, calcium, or D3. It is almost never seen in snakes because given any chance at adequate whole prey meals, they can produce sufficient calcium and D3 on their own.

He has multiple previously broken ribs - probably from fragile bones as opposed to abuse. And the very fragile skin that isn't properly adhered to underlying muscle is most likely all related to overall poor nutrition. He is currently getting injections of calcium, vitamins, painkillers, and antibiotics, and they have done as much repair as possible on the skin tears (more skin tore during the exams).

Snakes are incredibly resilient, and this little guy is getting outstanding care and has a keeper who adores him, so I am hopeful. I really suspect this sloughing skin/malnutrition disorder is not as rare as once believed. I just think most snakes so badly neglected are simply not seen - they just fade away.

Send positive thoughts. He really has quite a sweet personality; all of us who have come to know him are just crazy about him.