How in all hell was I spewing venom?? I see no spittle on my computer screen. Jesus H.. If you wouldn't read it as such, then it wouldn't come off as me being rude, which I am so far from being it's ridiculous. I don't sugar coat things, and just "write it" how it is. Sorry I didn't put smileys and frolicking ponies to convey my happy message.

All I'm saying is that: New keepers who have absolutely no experience in treating reptile illnesses and wounds, NEED to take that animal to a qualified veterinarian. After they have alot more experience in treating those things, and how to identify what different illnesses look like, then they can treat them at home if they aren't too severe(and before the disease gets out of hand). Sometimes they can do more harm than good.

A new keeper may not even know where to get betadine or chlorhexidine, or if the wound needs debriding or if it's healing as it should. If the snake needs antibiotics for the systemic infection from the advanced case of scale rot or an infected burn, how are they going to be able to identify that?

Last thing.. Encysted cystercerci(tapeworm) don't look like anything other than a bump on the skin. Abscesses don't look like anything except for a localized swelling(until they are lanced that is- SO much fun!).

It's always important to have a rapport with your vet in the beginning so you will already be in the system in case a major emergency pops up. It's just what goes with being a good pet owner.
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-Becky Brown, RVT-
1.0 Lemon Pastel Classic Jungle,1.0 Black Pastel,1.0 Enchi,1.0 Yellow Hypo,0.1 100% het Butterscotch Hypo,0.1 66% Poss Het VPI Hypo,3.24 Normals,1.1 Spider,1.1 Yellowbellies(BHB),1.0 100% Het Pied Classic Jungle,1.3 66% Poss Het VPI Axanthic, 1.1 Poss Het VPI Snow,1.1 100% het Genetic Stripe

[ Hide Replies ]

• Inherited ball python w/ skin issues - Dillon, Sat May 3 16:39:52 2008
• RE: Inherited ball python w/ skin issues - dsreptiel, Sat May 3 16:51:36 2008
• RE: Inherited ball python w/ skin issues - constrictorkeepr, Sun May 4 09:45:10 2008
• RE: Inherited ball python w/ skin issues - dsreptiel, Sun May 4 13:08:51 2008
• RE: Inherited ball python w/ skin issues - constrictorkeepr, Sun May 4 14:19:02 2008
• see a vet - robyn@ProExotics, Sun May 4 16:13:45 2008
• RE: see a vet - dsreptiel, Sun May 4 17:08:07 2008
• RE: see a vet - HOTRegius, Mon May 5 09:27:50 2008
• RE: see a vet - dsreptiel, Mon May 5 14:09:30 2008
• RE: see a vet - robyn@ProExotics, Mon May 5 12:32:55 2008
• RE: see a vet - dsreptiel, Mon May 5 14:47:03 2008
• RE: see a vet - HOTRegius, Mon May 5 15:03:48 2008
• RE: see a vet - dsreptiel, Mon May 5 16:21:23 2008
• RE: see a vet - littleindiangirl, Mon May 5 15:27:08 2008