Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my het t+ nic got an infection on her head and i dont know what it could have been caused by. ive been treating the area with dilute iodine, peroxide, and neosporin.
is there something else that i can do to treat her

That does look serious. It is a bad case of the typical nose rub in Boas. Central American Boas are much more prone to do that than others.

I cannot offer any medical advise. I'm sure other can.

However, I would suggest a larger container. Nonporous plastic and paper substrate the best alternative. Try to fashion things to where the snake cannot get a point of leverage, and shove it's nose into its confinements so seriously. The more give the better.

Also, maintain cooler and moister. Provide a nice snug hide. I do that with paper towel cardboard cores placed under the paper substrate or just by folding the paper substrate in a certain way. Make sure to feed adequately and always provide fresh water.

Those guys are notorious for destroying their nose if their requirements are not met.

Hope this helps.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

im just guessing but i could be wrong but i would say he/she is being kept in a glass tank? if so try to take care of the rub and then change his set-up/cage!

The advice about a paper substrate and paper hides is right on. Really pay attention to cage conditions. Depending on where you live humidity-wise, screen top cages (if that is what you are using, the evidence suggests this) are often not the best for boas. Many males get restless during breeding season, so not having screen on the cage can help.

I saw your post below about the adult with mouth rot. Are these your long term captives or new aquisitions? I rescued a subadult boa with mouth rot. In that case, daily cleaning and sprays of dilute Nolvasan solution took care of it. That and a nice warm spot and good food. It all works together.
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Mark

just so every body know this snake is not in a glass tank or with a screen top. she is is a 32qt tub rack system
thanks for the advice

>>just so every body know this snake is not in a glass tank

I've had cases of nose rub in tubs. One was so bad in 2002 that the infection spread to the tooth and the boa had to undergo surgery. What I have found that seems to help is make sure the boas have something to climb on top of. Like a perch. I've started using green garden fencing (plastic) and putting that in the tubs for the babies, seems to stop the rubbing. (they are kept on newspaper and have cardboard tubes for hides but some would still rub, offering something for them to climb and 'look down from' even if it's just an inch or two off the floor, seems to have stopped this behaviour).
Good luck!
-April
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow