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I believe that my corn snake has an infected scale on her head. It started when one scale did not come off all the way when she shedded; For the next two sheds, it appeared as if there was a scale on the outside of the skin right in the spot. It looks infected, and I do not know what to do. I live on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, and have been unsuccessful in locating a herp vet in my area. What can be done in this situation??? Also, what is an average for the length and girth of an 11 month old female? Thanks and please HELP!
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~Brian and Kerri~

Well.... Is it discolored? Most likely a yellow/brown color? Just make sure the next few sheds are good ones and the problem will correct itself. My black rat got scale rot and it cleared up in 1 shed. Also, I would say 15"-24" is normsl for an 11 month old. And between the width of a smaller sharpie pen and your pinky.....



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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

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

Thanks for your advice. No, her scale is not brown or yellow, and appears nothing like the ones in your picture. At first it was like an open wound almost, and now the area around it looks like it is indented, like it caved in. Should I be worried?
I am glad to hear that she is in the average size range. I was concerned she was not growing fast enough, but she is about 23" long, and the size of a large male pinkie.
Thanks again!
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~Brian and Kerri~

Give her a few good sheds and see where she's at. I'm sure she will be fine though.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

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