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I had noticed that Molly had been soaking a lot lately (not constantly, but for several hours a day) When I took her out today I noticed several spots on her that are swollen and discolored. I don't think she has mites because I have sprayed her on two seperate occasions (and the soaking is a new development) I am wondering if what she has is scale rot and if not then can somebody I.D. what it is for me? I am not sure if she is soaking because of this or if it is due to the soaking. I know some of the pics are bad but try photographing a 4'7" snake that won't sit still with one hand!







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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

Phiber - That looks pretty bad. Can you get her to a vet? If it is scale rot, a good herp vet should be able to get it under control.

It looks somewhat like the bruises I saw on my old male creamsicle (Mr T) when his liver failed. Molly's aren't dark brownish-red are they? I think pics of T's condition may still be accessible on the cornsnake forum for you to compare. I really hope Molly's not got the same problem as there is nothing to be done for liver failure.

Good Luck!

John D
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0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"

I see that alot in WC specimens, Its probally is scale rot, but..The good news is.. Should shed off w/ the next shed or two. Is the snake anywhere near shedding?

She is due to shed within 2-3 weeks. She shed almost exactly a month ago.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

First thing you need to try and do is figure out why the snake is soaking. Check the temperatures, check for mites, etc.

Then get the waterbowl out of that cage and make sure the substrate is completely dry (newspaper would be best). Leave it that way until the snake finishes at least once shed cycle. Offer water in small bowls for a couple of hours every third day or so until the snake dries out.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

cecily gets that from when she tips her water over and soaks in it. so i take the water owl out and only give it to her for about an hour. when she sheds, it all comes off and new scales are under. either only giver her a lil water or a small water dish she cant lay in.....or do what i do and take it out. when i dont have time to take out the water bowl, i only put a lil water in the bowl and if she drinks it all, i refill a lil more. i dont know if you remmeber, but those are the scabs i was talking about when cecily had her lump....

~kin
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SNAKIES~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Corns:
.1 Normal (Gertrude)
1. unknown hypo? normal? (Romeo)
1.2 Miami Phase (Hector, Emily, Charlotte) thanks jeff!
1. Amel het Blizzard (Dunesbury)
1. Classic het Hypo, poss het Amel, Anery (Cobra)
1.1 Classics (Henry VIII, Cassy [Emilys babies])
.1 Amel (Pepperoni)
1.1 Hypo zig zags poss het Caramel (Bernard, Abegail)
.1 Classic het Hypo, Stripe (Gracie Lou)

Rats:
1.1 Black rats (Willard, Cecily)

Cal Kings:
1.1 Striped Cal Kings (Dweezil, Skunky)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~LEOPARD GECKOS~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Normal het Midnight Blizzard (Mr. Spot)
.1 Blizzard (Blitz)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~TURTLE~~~~~~~~~~~~
.1 white cheeked mud (Opel)

its impossible to diagnose just by pics.

If I had to take a guess I would say it looks bacterial. Scale rot is not exactly the most scientific term and it describes many maladies.

I would give her a smaller bowl so she cant soak. Snakes soak when they are irritated and itchy but it doesn't mean its the best thing for them to be doing. And make sure the rest of the cage is CLEAN and dry. If any new ones continue to appear, if they get worse, or if they are not gone the next time she sheds, get her to a vet for an exame and some antibiotics.

good luck, let us know what happens

I have removed her water bowl. She does spill it often and usually has 100% humidity for 2 days or so out of the week. I clean her cage as soon as I notice she passes a stool. I have treated her for mites twice and haven't noticed any since. Her cage gets to around 83-85 in the day (room temp) should I just turn off her uth completely? She just very recently developed these "blisters" and I am wondering if she hasn't been soaking because of the heat. What else causes soaking? If the problem persists she will definately be going to the vet. But if a trip isn't necessarily needed then why waste the money? She will be getting a physicall soon anyway. Thanks everyone for your help!
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

When the heat gets cranking in summer snakes will definetely soak to cool down. That could be part of the problem. Good observation.

What are your temps like. How about at night?

cheers

I agree with everyone in that it looks like some sort of scale rot. Along with the other advice, I would like to add that a little Betadine (povidone iodine) swab every day on the sores should help with a quicker recovery. It will help heal everything up so that when she sheds, she sheds out clean. Get the conditions in the enclosure right and that nastiness should go away and stay away. Good luck!

Billy

>>I had noticed that Molly had been soaking a lot lately (not constantly, but for several hours a day) When I took her out today I noticed several spots on her that are swollen and discolored. I don't think she has mites because I have sprayed her on two seperate occasions (and the soaking is a new development) I am wondering if what she has is scale rot and if not then can somebody I.D. what it is for me? I am not sure if she is soaking because of this or if it is due to the soaking. I know some of the pics are bad but try photographing a 4'7" snake that won't sit still with one hand!
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>>0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
>>1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
>>1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
>>.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
>>0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"
>>0.0.1 Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)
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>>As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"