Hello, all. I need a bit of advice, and was recommended to you guys by a pal of mine. I currently have 1.1 Ball Pythons (among my other captives), the male being the subject of this post. I've had them a little over a year, they were rescued from a buddy who just thought owning a reptile was "cool." The female has never given me any trouble, but the male has always been a perfect example of if it not being one thing, it's bound to be another. Last week, he finally completed a whole shed, eyecaps and all, his first since I've owned him. Unfortunately there was a small bit of blood on the paper towels in his moist hide. I gave him a good look over, and saw nothing. Needless to say, he was at the vet the next day, and he also found nothing wrong. Yesterday morning I picked him up to again give him a once over (as I do everyday), and noticed a bit of pink tissue around his eyes that was a little inflamed. The right is a bit worse than the left, but both are affected. It's very subtle, almost not noticeable at all unless you are looking intently. Today, the inflammation is unchanged, not better or worse. Let me give you some background on his housing. Because of his dysecdysis for the last month I had been housing him on paper pulp instead of my preferred newsprint per the recommendation of my vet (who by the way hasn't treated too many snakes in his career). He has a chinchilla dust hut as a moist hide, but I only add water when it appears a shed is immanent. Other wise it's left dry with torn up paper towels inside, he likes to hide in there. Before that I was keeping him on newsprint. He and his sister are kept in separate plastic enclosures, defiantly large enough for them, although the exact size escapes me now. I have been told that this sounds like an eye infection, but I've been keeping amphibians long enough to know that when in doubt, ask experienced keepers. So here I am. Say the word, and I'll be at the vet, but if it is something I can fix at home, I'd love to give it a shot. I'm expecting a baby girl in May, so if I don't have another vet bill, that would be great. However at the same token, my animals are my responsibility, and if they need vet care, they get vet care. I switched him back to paper immediately after detecting the inflammation, hoping that it was just signaling an irritation from the paper pulp. Please let me know if this is something that I can correct, or if I need to pack him off to the vet. I live in Southern Michigan, by the way, so if anyone could recommend another vet with more experience, I'd greatly appreciate it. *smile* He's on the ARAV site, but I don't know why, bless his old heart. Thanks again in advance, and let me know if pictures would help. I don't have the time now, but I could certainly get some up if needed.
-----
*~~Whitney~~*
Though here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep, beyond all towers strong and high, beyond all mountains steep, above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars forever dwell: I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."
