Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If anyone can tell me what the cause and cure for these red marks on this bp's belly please respond. She has shed since this picture was taken and the marks are redder and more clearly defined now than in the picture.

Thanks JLC for the pic posting tip!

John

I cant really tell but I kinda looks like a skin infection... my snakes had them when they came from the petshop... it was from the substrate being wet. the vet gave me a shot to give them every other day...

Wish I could help with the spots on the scales!

Judy
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1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)

Hi There!
Was your Ball Python recently purchased?
If so have you ever examined her closely for ticks,sometimes ticks can cause infection at thier bite sites that turn into little sores.
You should examine the snake for the presence of ticks if she was recently purchased or has been around any other snakes.
Other things it could be are skin infections,somesnakes will get skin blisters if they soak in water too long or if thier cage conditions are overly humid,damp or dirty.
I can't really see these spots in the picture too well but those are the things that immediately come to mind,i have seen many infected sores caused by ticks,mostly in wild caught Ball Pythons but in "shared" ticks where they traveled from other snakes to Boas,etc...
These sores will also develop from improper or incomplete removal of ticks,either by being too aggressive and digging in deep into the skin when removing a tick or by leaving parts behind and failing to properly treat each removal site with antiseptic rinse.
Check your cage conditions,look closely for ticks and if the condition doesn't clear up or spreads then seek the attention of a Vet for your snake.

StormyHall

Take the snake to the vet, you will most likely be given either oral or injectable baytril. Ask about a culture and sensitivity test to see if injectable baytril is required. Also he may tell you to put Betadine on it. Tell him no thanks and go buy some at walgreens for 6 bucks, it is also known generically as povidone-iodine, works great but makes a mess, apply it everyday with a cottonball. It will also help if you put your snake on newspaper. You will not notice the redness go away until the snakes next shed which will clear it up, good luck Brian.

It looks like a trip to the vet is the best plan. We have had Arwen for a year and a half and have not had any previous problems of this nature with her. She did just have a bad shed (her first bad one ever), probably from to-low humidity, perhaps this is related.

Thanks for the responses!

John