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Help Diagnose Ball Python Problem, Please!

A

Allan Cag

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One of my ball pythons is having a problem with its skin. I've never experienced scale rot, bbut I think that might be what it is. Please look at the photos and let me know your thoughts on what you think it is and how to cure it. I thought it went away after the last shed, but it's back. Thanks!!!
 

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O my goodness.... You need to get that gorgeous lemonblast to the vet asap!!!!! Poor snake looks miserable.... Please get it to the vet ASAP.. This did not occur over night that looks to be over his entire body almost. Poor snake
 
It's only in the two areas shown in the pics, not over her entire body. Took about a month to get that bad, but wasn't very bad until the last week. I'm going to take her to the vet, but hoping I could get some thoughts here beforehand. Makes me very sad -- she's my favorite...
 
Poor guy you really need to take him to the vet asap! Not sure what is going on but an experienced herp vet will know and help you get your snake better! HE NEEDS TO GO TO THE VET RIGHT NOW! Let us know what happens.......
 
Have vet appt. tomorrow. Will keep everyone posted. In the meantime, would appreciate any thoughts of what it might be.
 
We don't have enough information to give any accurate statement on what it is. Scale rot usually affects the belly first, and presents somewhat differently. Blister disease is possible, but I wouldn't anything more without knowing more about the snake & your husbandry practices. Burns? Reaction to chemicals? Secondary infection? All possibilities.
What's going on with it's face? The pics aren't clear enough. Are the nares occluded?
Why is the mouth open? Are there sores in the mouth? Breathing that way because its "nose is plugged"?
Always look to husbandry first. Has the cage been kept clean? What do you use to clean/disinfect? What type of substrate? Heat source? Temps? blah, blah, blah
 
Thanks for responding. She's in a shoebox size tupperware container with UTH heat tape set at 80 with a thin 90 degree strip of tape at one end. I've been using paper towels for substrate, although that's somewhat new (switched from wood substrate a couple months ago). I change her substrate weekly or upon the first site of mess. I wash her container, water bowl, and hide with a small amount of hand soap. Nares are not occluded and there's nothing wrong with her mouth (at least that I can,tell). I just happened to catch her in a yawn -- she usually doesn't open her mouth like that. I thought they might be burns until it went away with the last shed and reappeared in the same spots. I have been having some trouble keeping humidity consistent -- it ranges from 45 to 70. I'll research blisters -- the sores on her neck are raised and look a little blister-like. Thanks again!
 
Thanks for responding. She's in a shoebox size tupperware container with UTH heat tape set at 80 with a thin 90 degree strip of tape at one end. I've been using paper towels for substrate, although that's somewhat new (switched from wood substrate a couple months ago). I change her substrate weekly or upon the first site of mess. I wash her container, water bowl, and hide with a small amount of hand soap. Nares are not occluded and there's nothing wrong with her mouth (at least that I can,tell). I just happened to catch her in a yawn -- she usually doesn't open her mouth like that. I thought they might be burns until it went away with the last shed and reappeared in the same spots. I have been having some trouble keeping humidity consistent -- it ranges from 45 to 70. I'll research blisters -- the sores on her neck are raised and look a little blister-like. Thanks again!
 
Thanks for responding. She's in a shoebox size tupperware container with UTH heat tape set at 80 with a thin 90 degree strip of tape at one end. I've been using paper towels for substrate, although that's somewhat new (switched from wood substrate a couple months ago). I change her substrate weekly or upon the first site of mess. I wash her container, water bowl, and hide with a small amount of hand soap. Nares are not occluded and there's nothing wrong with her mouth (at least that I can,tell). I just happened to catch her in a yawn -- she usually doesn't open her mouth like that. I thought they might be burns until it went away with the last shed and reappeared in the same spots. I have been having some trouble keeping humidity consistent -- it ranges from 45 to 70. I'll research blisters -- the sores on her neck are raised and look a little blister-like. Thanks again!.
 
Double check those temps with a temp gun. Those look like burns. Heaters are know to malfunction. I always check my heat tape temp daily with a temp gun. What did the vet say.
 
I wouldn't put burns on the of the list, simply due to the location. Burns tend to happen where the heat focuses...belly heat usually burns the belly.
 
For the snake's sake, I hope they're burns over blister disease. Vet appt is today at 2 eastern. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks much for the responses.
 
I'd be really worried about something systemic. That's most likely going to require some antibiotics.

Good luck at the vet. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
 
Of course the snake shed while I was at the vet and the brown spots completely shed off. Vet says he doesnt know what it was. He says not likely blister disease bc it was dry and not pussy. Not likely a burn bc it shed off with one layer of skin and bc it appeared in the same location as the prior brown spots (also, a burn would likely be on the belly bc I use UTH). He offered to send it to the lab for testing but I'm going to wait to see if it happens again before I spend $200 on the lab fee. He gave me a topical antiseptic to apply and said he'll do a shot regimen if it comes back. She ate a rat when she got home. I'm going to sterilize her container and keep an eye in her. Thanks again everyone for the feedback and support. Very much appreciated. Let me know if anyone has any other thoughts.
 
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