Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just acquired my beautiful kingsnake and the couple I got him from didn't take care of him very well. He is blind in one eye, and they didn't keep his tank temperature up very well, also they only fed him twice a week. I am trying to figure out if he has an infected hemipenis or scent gland. The area is really bulged out and the scales are dull and splitting (almost as if when your nails are stressed from not enough nutrients and they split at the ends). They also have a dehydrated look about them. I am hoping with much better care he may get better but does anyone have any suggestions or ideas as to what this may be?

It could be any number of things (the swelling around the vent). This snake sounds like it is generally in poor shape. It won't hurt to have a good herp vet give it a good once-over and make suggestions. In the mean time, be sure your husbandry is perfect, and use a non-particulate substrate for ease of monitoring and cleanliness until the snake gets better. Concentrate on hydration first. A humid hide box is essential, a water dish, and you may try to use electrolytes in the drinking water. Assuming the previous owners fed him appropriately sized prey, then there is nothing wrong with a 5-7 day interval between feedings.

Ian

Thank you very much. It is no longer inflamed although the scales are still dull, but there are more shiny ones than dull now.

I did go to the vet and it was an infection of psuedemonas salmonella and has since healed up thank you again for the advice.

~Erin~

Thank you for the update, I'm happy it all worked out well

Ian