Posted by:
joeysgreen
at Sat Apr 30 05:44:57 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by joeysgreen ]
From the other responses, this could be a genetic problem, or it could be coincidence. I have seen boas like this before, and like you, thought nothing of it. They did not advance beyond the few wrinkled scales.
You are an experienced boa keeper, and have many other happy healthy boas. I am going to risk insulting you and suggest that humidity (like temperature) is measured with a meter. While many novices make this mistake, there is also a certain comfortability that comes with experience that sometimes takes us away from the basics.
While veterinary medicine neck and neck in advancement with human medicine, the exotic species lag long behind when it comes to describing specific diseases and defects. There is just to many problems possible in to many species. The problem that you have will have to be worked up in a generalistic way. This is likened to snow leopard geckos being immunocompromised. We know that this is likely, and some cases have been described in detail, but we do not know about this genetic disorder as a whole.
When taking your snake to a herp vet there are two courses often taken. Often through assumptions and/or impressions made, the case is treated with minimal expense, and you may be sent home with a topical cream or the like. What the vet would really like to do (look for a vet that is passionate about herps  )is some bloodwork to assess organ function, immune processes, and of course, hydration. Dehydration may be from the environment, or it may be secondary to a disease process. After examination, a culture and sensitivity may also be indicated if the DVM sees antibiotics to be a suitable treatment for the wound specifically. A stool sample may be indicated, moreso if there is a history of soft or runny stool.
Good luck with your snake. I don't feel that this is a very pressing issue, but it may snowball without promptness. It makes sense to quarantine this snake from your others as certain transmissable diseases may have rendered your snake immunocompromised.
Ian
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RE: Opinions wanted on skin issue... pictures....... long>>>>>> - joeysgreen, Sat Apr 30 05:44:57 2005