Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 5 year old male tiger retic. He has been feed frozen/thawed his whole life and has never seen live prey.
in the last two weeks his skin seems to be seperating from
his muscle and there are now patches of missing skin that expose
the muscle which are about the half the size of a penny. There
are about five such spots on him and they are all in the later
1/3 of his body just past the lungs. His skin is also getting
very thin. Cage is always clean, temp at 85 humid at 70% as
we speek. Any help would be app.

I can't say what this is, but I"ve heard the description several times. Septicemia (systemic infection) is nearly always either the culprit, or related. Dehydration is also another symptom associated with this ill snake. I would definately take this one to the vet... see www.arav.com to begin a search if you don't have one yet.

Ian

thanks for the info. I don't think it is related to dehydration
he always has clean water available although it doesn't look like
he has been drinking much in the last month. Anything is
possible. We are lucky as we have three great herp vets in the
area. Was just hoping I diddn't have to take him in, no such
luck. Thanks again.

I didn't mean to imply that there was something wrong with your husbandry. Sick animals just get dehydrated. Especially when it involves skin problems (or of course vomiting/diarrhea/bleeding). Good luck, and I hope it's not to long before everyone can have that access to herp vets!

Ian

I know you diddn't imply that. I was just taken back that I could have forgotten about dehydration through all other means, duh. I do have some pics I just don't know how to post them,
Several other people whom I have spoke with and looked at the
pics say they have never seen anything like it and are baffeled
as am I. Things don't look worse today but if they don't improve then he is going into the doc. Thanks again