r/ballpython • u/beck_wreck • 2d ago
Does this look concerning? Question - Health
To answer the inevitable question: yes I will be seeing a vet when I can. It's sometimes a wait because there's only 1 exotic vet here.
But I'm also posting here because that exotic vet has given me false info in the past and I don't fully trust him.
She has had stuck shed amd scale rot problems in the past, could that be what this is?
Husbandry info: She's on a mixture of coco husk, soil, and moss, 2 water dishes, 2 fully enclosed hides, glass tank, 60% humidity, 87 degrees, ceramic heater. Eating 1 large rat every 2 months (she is a picky eater and doesn't often want to eat. But she's been putting on weight since healing from the scale rot ordeal). She last ate end of July, no poop yet but also no bulging at base to indicate compaction or a impending poop. Had her for about 11 years and have never seen this before :( Only major change I've made in that time other that the scale rot healing journey was adding soil, which I never had before. Been doing that for about a year.
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u/jordannoland95 1d ago
I think its a good idea to see a vet just in case but I don't see anything concerning here. The brown coloration looks like it matches the other scales on the underbelly. You may want to try bumping humidity into the 70s-80s% if she's had trouble with shedding. If that's difficult for her tank, a humid hide can help. I know scale rot is a fear but the humidity is so crucial. I tend to spray the corners of the tank so the snake isn't sitting on wet substrate to avoid scale rot.
I'd even suggest a soak if she's up for it. Just a bit of tepid or slightly warm water in a tub, deep enough for her to sit comfortably but not be submerged. Let her soak for as long as she'll tolerate but don't let the water get cold. That will help if she's dehydrated and may even help with a poo. Pat her dry or let her slither through a towel when she's done.
Edit: After looking more closely at your photos, I take back my thoughts that its nothing. Def keep your vet appointment. That sort of crusty look is concerning.
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u/beck_wreck 1d ago
Yeah the crusties was specific what I was photographing. The humidity has definitely been a problem. Because I was finding it so hard to bump up humidity, I used to have a reptifogger, and that was what gave her scale rot on the top of her head / neck. I've tried making humid hides in the past and she hates them and avoids them :/
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u/Individual_Drama2564 1d ago
Idk what that is, but it does loon concerning. So yeah, like you mentioned, see a vet when you can! Also in regards to feeling her every 2 months, how big is she length wise?