Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just took my WC male out of brumation today and saw this on his head and vent. I didn't notice these a couple weeks ago, although I didn't thoroughly inspect him. The lesion at the vent is hard and seems to be fluid-filled. On the head, it looks like some necrosis of the scales has occurred . This really sucks! Does anyone have any idea what this is or what I should do? I feel like I let the poor bugger down

Max

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Snakes to the Max

I have no great advice, and have looked back at this more than once hoping to see where somebody else could tell you what to do. So, right now I would suggest that you disclose what county you live in so that there can be some personal recomendations for a nearby herp vet.

Failing that I would start contacting your localy listed vets and get recomendations for a herp vet from them.

To my untrained eye this looks like it could be a problem that will only get worse if left in the hands of fate alone.

Keep us posted.

Lance
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

Thanks for the reply, Lance...I contacted Herpo who lives in my area and he gave me a recommendation on a vet. I'm treating him with topical Chlorhexidine (Perioguard) until I can get him in, maybe next week...

Max
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Snakes to the Max

Was this picture taken soon after the animal was removed from brumation?

DAN

Dan,

Yes, same day...

Max
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Snakes to the Max

Were the conditions in the cage a little more moist than they should have been? After bringing the snake out did the lesions turn red or crusty and brown? Did you give your snake any wormers or other treatments in the last few months?

DAN

The cage conditions were the same as they always are for my other colubrids over the last few years and I've never had a problem before. I don't believe it was moist and the substrate (newspaper) was always dry and clean. He was the bottom cage, if that may make a difference. I treated him with Panacur on the 30th of July and then a gain 1 week later...Thre has been no change to the lesions since March 1st, when I brought him out. My guess is they've only been there a couple weeks because that was when I last checked, and I didn't notice them...

Max
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Snakes to the Max

No change eh? Ok. Normally snakeys come out of an overly moist hibernation with lesions of necrotic scales which are caused by bacteria, (commonly called blister disease) but this doesn't look like that.

My second thought, and the reason I asked about worming etc. was a Yeast infection or Staph. infection. Sometimes treatment for coccidia, worms, etc. can decimate a reptile's beneficial digestive bacteria which gives yeast the chance to multiply in great numbers.

This internal yeast infection could spread, through feces, to the skin of the snake and take on a fungal form basically digesting the scales/skin. It's a longshot, but not unheard of. This occurance is becoming more common, and in the bearded dragon, is fatal.

However, this is all just conjecture by an armchair herpetologist, so don't take what I say as gold.

Your vet should be able to sample the site and determine whether it's yeast or staph or whatever.

Has his condition improved since you started applying the topical treatment?

DAN

Also a long shot, but there are tape worms that infect the skin of snakes. If the lesions are moving from place to place that might be an indication of this. I've never heard of those in graybands. I think they're most common in ball pythons.

DAN

It seems to be crusting over a little more...He has refused f/t and live so far

I forgot to mention that, although his substrate wasn't moist, his hide is his water bowl. Maybe there was a little condensation under his bowl? Who knows, hopefully I find some answers next week...

Max
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Snakes to the Max

BTW, thanks for all your help!
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Snakes to the Max