Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Guys
I found some weird blotches on my albino burm. First, I thought it was blood stain from the mouse, but the more I look at it, the more I feel there might be something wrong. Here is some photos of it. Does anyone have any suggestions or I'm just worrying too much. Thanks and wish all of us luck.

Kerwin

It looks like something is going on there, especially with the number of patches (I see at least 3).

Could it be burns or septicemia? Are the areas dry or different feeling? Are they under the snake on the belly scales, too? Any recent illness, especially respiratory symptoms? Is the cage too damp?

If it's not just something on the snake that needs to be washed off, I wouldn't hesitate to take it to the vet.

Thanks for the reply, Yes, it's dry and feels different, but nothing under the belly. Seems like she is about to shed in a couple days, I might wait and see how it goes after the shed. Also, I don't think it's burns because I'm only using 8W flexwatt.

Kerwin

Something very similiar happened with a male albino green I have a few months ago. He is still recovering from it. It is caused by some bacteria. You need to soak him in a betadine solution and go to your local cvs or pharmacy and get some cream called zinc oxide and rub it on him over his spots. My vet also prescribed baytril to give to him orally. Thats how mine started out and then it turned into these nasty blisters all over his body and looked horrible! Good luck with him!

Danny,
Depends on what you mean by "is still recovering" but yours should be healed by now, unless you mean that all the spots where the blisters were haven't completely gone away. They should at least be close to gone. There shouldn't be any blisters left.

But then again, maybe it's not been as long as I think its been. I've had so much going on and haven't been able to be around forums much the last several months that I feel as though I've been in a timewarp.

Catch ya later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Thank you for this suggestion, I will try this. BTW, is this problem contagious?

Kerwin

Here's a link that may help.

http://www.reptileexpert.co.uk/BlisterDisease.html

The condition is commonly known as blister disease (even if blisters are not present). If it progresses and bacteria enters the bloodstream, it becomes progressive and then is septicemia (a systemic infection).

I think Laura is right, it appears to be septicemia. The blotches are from the body trying to shed the infection and is uaually more visible on albino species than normal ones.

While it usually can be treated without Veterinary assistance I strongly encourage a Vet visit for antibiotics. Expect to see blisters forming soon, like "steelereptiles" mentioned. In fact, I think I see a few beginning to form in the photos.

Keep its cage clean & dry. Make sure the temperatures are where they should be with a definite basking spot of 92. Warmer temperatures equate to higher metabolism, which will help speed healing, recovery.

Hang in there!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

n/p

Just to update the latest setuation regarding my girl.
Like I mentioned, she was about to shed, and luckly, the bloches went away with the shed. Hopefully it won't come back. I'm still keeping it a little bit warmer than usuall, is this the right thing to do?

Kerwin