BP problem. Scale rot. vet on vacation. Help?

[RosieReal]

So...it seems like I've got an issue. I'm feeling QUITE horrible about this, as I feel like its my fault. (well...it is. I'm the keeper. anyway...)

My ball python Lucy has been doing quite well. She's been eating great, and acting normally. She's recently gone through a shed, which went poorly. I've been keeping her humidity at 60% and had it bumped up to 70% after she cleared blue. That did not do the trick, and I came home one day to a very patchy snake. I dampened the washcloth, and let her slide through a few times, and the rest of the skin came off without any fuss.
This was two days ago. Today I took her out, and several of her belly scales look as if they are full of a fluid, and the area around is red...not very bright but for sure irritated. There is also a patch on her side (not connected in anyway physically to the belly scales I mentioned) which looks as if the scales are rumpled, or perhaps wrinkled. This patch was there when I got her, and I thought it would clear off with a shed (this is the first one since I've had her) and it did not...I am SURE it is not retained skin.

I Clean the substrate once a week, I disinfect once a month (the viv and the stuff in the viv), I spot clean when I see poop. I felt like this was good husbandry habits...Perhaps I was wrong.
Her temps on the hot side are around 90*(never more, usually a small amount less) and the cold side is 75* (heat mat)

I want to take her to the vet...that would be lovely. I cant get her in for an appointment for a couple weeks...the vet is booked up as she's going away.

Is there anything I can do at home for her? I've been reading about some home treatments, and would REALLY like to have some advice...I'm not asking for a diagnosis, and I know I need a vet...but thats just not an option right now, and I've read that this kind of thing can progress very quickly. If there is something I can do, I want to be doing it.
Right at the moment, Shes on paper towel and I've taken out the water dish (I've just watched her drink, and will continue to offer water regularly) to keep the enclosure dry.
Pics to come in the next post. This is about the worst feeling in the world. I'm a bad parent.

 

[Calift]

Are you sure its scale rot and not a burn?

I'm currently treating a rescue snake from a burn.....and if its bad enough you WILL need to see a vet. Unfortunately it's expensive, but you cannot get any antibiotics (like Baytril) without a prescription. My vet also wanted me to purchase a huge bottle of cream (for $200!!!), but luckily I was able to talk him down to a much smaller size bottle (though still costly).

I'd say the sooner the better- for the snake, your peace of mind, and financially. Good luck, keep us updated!

I can try and answer any specific questions too if you have more...and tell you more about my treatment methods.

 

[RosieReal]

No, I'm not sure. I don't really know whats going on. If its a burn... how could that happen? Is the temp on the hot side hot enough to do that? There isn't any other heat source. There are no open wounds that I see, and I see no blood.

These are the pics. They're not great.

 

[RosieReal]

No, I'm not sure. I don't really know whats going on. If its a burn... how could that happen? Is the temp on the hot side hot enough to do that? There isn't any other heat source. There are no open wounds that I see, and I see no blood.

...i cant seem to upload pics now...my computer is being mean. I"ll try again tomorrow.

 

[wstphal]

Pics to come in the next post. This is about the worst feeling in the world. I'm a bad parent.

I don't think you should feel bad. I am not expert enough to comment on your husbandry, but it sure sounds OK. I investigated BPs because they are so pretty but then decided I didn't want one because of the feeding issues so I ~did~ read up on their care. I hope someone who knows more can help you, but hang in there, I am sure you're a good snake mommy & shouldn't beat yourself up.

 

[RosieReal]

Thanks Betsy....I dont think I would feel so bad if I could get to a vet to fix it.

So...here we go folks. On another forum, someone talked about using a sterile needle to lance the fluid filled scales, and apply tripple antibiotic polysporin....and the affected scales should come off with the next shed. this sounds like something I can manage... but am at the same time hesitant to try it. Anyone ever done this?
I have to go to work today, so I put a small water dish in with her for the day and my boyfriend says he will replace papertowels if they get wet.

 

[RosieReal]

I would really appreciate any imput guys...I'm going to try the home treatments, and have an e-mail off to my vet (maybe he'll have a look, and although he doesnt see reptiles, he's more medically experianced than me...)
wish me luck...

 

[Calift]

I really think you should go to a vet- if yours is out of town (mine was too), I just asked for a recommendation of another one.

You can release the blisters and apply neosporin/polysporin, but sooner or later it will likely get pink/raw and infected. Then it'll get pussy and painful and you'll wish you went to the vet sooner.

Hope it goes well! I know these situations suck!

 

[RosieReal]

If a vet were an option right now...I probably would not have posted asking for help. I'm sure it sounds like excuses...but as i said it will be two weeks.

would it be better to do nothing at all until she can see a vet?

 

[snakewispera snr]

I've asked a mate to get in touch with you via pm....
He will need to see good picks of the snakes belly but I'm sure he can help you....
You may want to purchase a bottle of Iodine as I feel sure he is going to tell you to get one.......
Now to try and get you both online at the same time.......

 

[RosieReal]

WONDERFUL. I already had iodine on the list which makes me feel a small amount better.
I'm going to pm you my e-mail.

 

[snakewispera snr]

I've given him the url to the thread and he's trying to get on line to speak to you....
He knows his stuff so if all is well he should be able to help you....
And no chatting him up he can't help being tall handsome funny and charming....
His name is Christian BTW

 

[wildlifewarrior1]

I've been keeping her humidity at 60% and had it bumped up to 70% after she cleared blue.

Hiya, the first thing you need to remember really is increasing the husbasny after they have gone blue is pointless...despite what others may say.
Snakes have a very thin oil that the new skin secretes. Its formed from humidity in the air and turns in into a water based lubricate that is that equally distrubted all through the body, at times the body can produce too much which causes double scales or not enough which causes bad shed. but if you remove it before the secretion has covered the snake then it can be like ripping a scab off a wound.Generally rasing the humidity once the sloughing/shedding process has begun is pointless because the skin cant absorb the humidity as it is now dead skin and also water-resistant, thus the skin acts like a pond liner, as its impermeable to any humidity. But once the snake is in water or actual moister it acts as leverage, and will help to manipulate the skin off.


if its a shedding problem them it sounds like it could more likely be Dysecdysis.Basically its sort of when the oils in the new and old layer of the skin arent equally distributed across the snake evenally. so when the skin is removed its like ripping a scab off...and so it causes the snakes scales to go white...very much like a cup of tea thats not been drank,it goes milky on top.

The issue we have is without photos i nor anyone else can tell you the best treatment because we dont actually no what it is....if its a bacterial infection then you really need to be treating it with an iodine,whereas if its just surface skin graze then you need to keep it as dry as possiable , but if its a thermal burn then you ideally need a iodine,a soothers and anti-inflamatories.

which looks as if the scales are rumpled, or perhaps wrinkled.

from the sound of this it sounds like tenting...this is basically when the snake becomes dehydrated, the skin loses its elastisity and becomes saggy and wrinkly
from what you hev d

So...here we go folks. On another forum, someone talked about using a sterile needle to lance the fluid filled scales, and apply tripple antibiotic polysporin....and the affected scales should come off with the next shed. this sounds like something I can manage... but am at the same time hesitant to try it. Anyone ever done this?

Please do not attemp this, its very dangerous,and not a wise move, its so easy to puncture one of the more vital organs.

My advise to you would be get get photos up asap.
But for now you need POVODINE IODINE ,please make sure this is the one you get and not anything else...it may be sold as betadine or another brand name but on the instructions it will say the active iodine is povodine. you then need to mix this into a 1:2 ratio with luke warm water and clean the area twice daily.

You will also need to buy some aloe vera cream.
and burn cream...over here we have a cream called salvon but i believe its illegal in the USA, so you want to look for a produce called Neosporin cream, if they dont have that then ask at the chemist/drug store for the next best cetrimide antiseptic cream. once you have these 2, mix a small amount together and coat the area in it...again twice a day.

you will need to remove the water bowls that she soaks in so theres only enough for it to drink. also as for the dehydration and to help her white blood cell count buy some powerade(or gatorade you might call it) and add 1/4 of it to there ratio of water in the water bowl....this is full of B3,B6 and B12 vitamins which will rehydrate the snake very quickly

hope this helps

 

[RosieReal]

Amazing advice. Thanks so much. I will deffinetly keep you posted.

 

[RosieReal]

Pics will come later on I got fairly decent ones last night. I've opted not to purchase the snakes that I had planned on this week...as I'll need all my time and money for this poor girl.

 

[RosieReal]

As an update to give the thread closure:

Through much wheeling and dealing(a girl I work with is the daughter of a vet locally who knows someone who used to work at a clinic...et cetera), I got her in to see a vet early this morning. It was quite a drive, but the people were great, and the vet was very good. We've a cream and antibiotics, a return appointment in a month,and a new vet.
A heartfelt thank you to all who offered help, advice and support.

 

[wstphal]

As an update to give the thread closure:

Through much wheeling and dealing(a girl I work with is the daughter of a vet locally who knows someone who used to work at a clinic...et cetera), I got her in to see a vet early this morning. It was quite a drive, but the people were great, and the vet was very good. We've a cream and antibiotics, a return appointment in a month,and a new vet.
A heartfelt thank you to all who offered help, advice and support.

I'm so glad! Keep us posted. What did the vet think was going on?

 

[Calift]

Glad to know the snake is doing better! Her case is so similar to mine, who is also recovery well considering the circumstances. Right now she is blue, so hopefully after this (and a few additional) sheds- she'll be somewhat healed. Keeping my fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for yours too!

 

[RosieReal]

I'm so glad! Keep us posted. What did the vet think was going on?

Well, as far as I can tell, my thermostat failed. Its definitely a burn. I've replaced the thermostat and the thermometer, so that should do it. The other rough patch I was worried about is a scar. The previous owners did mention that she'd had a bad time with a heat lamp a few months before I picked her up.
To be honest... I'm a little nervous about the injections...but The vet demonstrated for me, and as long as I'm careful, everything should be fine. I've cared for a diabetic dog, so I've given shots to a 'moving target' before, but the margin of error is much smaller here.
Lucy was sweet as pie through the whole thing, just letting us look her over. She definitely didn't like the shot, but she didn't react badly...just tried to get away.
The vet wants to see her again in three weeks, just to see how she comes along.
...and I got a free tote bag! lol...all in all not a bad visit.

 

[Calift]

Just wondering how your snake is doing??

Mine just shed yesterday....and I can't believe how much better it looks!!! Snakes are incredible healers....looking at the burn now, its hard to imagine how awful it looked before.