Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just took my WC male Alterna 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 a feeling that if this snake is otherwise strong and healthy, it will heal itself. It looks like local skin necrosis caused by dermal infections; likely related to cool and moist conditions. I wouldn't breed him this year in case it's affecting the hemipenes as well.

Was this guy a recent catch before you put him down for the winter?

Ian

Thanks for the reply, Ian...I caught him in May '06, so he's had some time to acclimate and I treated him for parasites a while back. He was feeding fine until I put him down with my other colubrids. I wasn't going to breed him this year anyway; I believe he's too young. Do you believe topically applied .12% chlorhexidine (perioguard) will help? I've used it for mouth rot a long time ago and it worked well...and it's great for periodontal disease, LOL!

Max
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Snakes to the Max

I don't think Peroxiguard is chlorhexadine. I wouldn't use it on my animals, even though it does claim to be animal safe.

However yes, chlorhexadine (I like the scrub) will be fine to keep the area clean. Rinse it off, then dry the area. Either keep it dry, or you can apply hibitane ointment if you have some (it might be a prescription, I can't remember). Do this once daily and keep the snake on clean paper towels until healed. If this is a simple problem, after two sheds, I'd bet there will only be a small remnent of the injury.

If there isn't significant improvement after the next shed, or it looks to be getting worse, or the animal declines (anorexia, lethargy ect.), get him to the vet for diagnostics and treatment.

Good luck, he sure is a handsome fella

Ian