Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just picked up an anaconda juvenile that needs some attention. He has several infections under his scales, and is going through a really rough shed. I have him in a very clean cage, I gave him a few good soaks in some lukewarm water, now hes just hanging out under the heat lite and going into the water area every now and then, pretty normal behaviour.

He is a little slugish though, and he could definitly use a good feeding.

What I wanted to know is this. Should I be worried about the infections under the scales? I guess they are really tiny abceses. I pressed one and some puss came out of it.

Should I do that to all of them and then put some peroxide on them, or should I just wait until after his shed to see if that imprves them at all?

Any help is greatly apreciated. Thanks.
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Billy
Reptile World
http://www.reptile-world.net

` I rescued one with the same problem, a couple of years back. He had been kept in a 55 gallon aquarium, in a foot of water, with just a cinder block to climb out on. The water was black, and septic, and had stained him black! The smell was revolting, especially with a heat lamp cooking that mess, and it was in the owner's bedroom!!
` I spent over a year, irrigating under his scales with peroxide, then packing the infected areas with Neosporin, every day. I used swabs, and toothpicks, with the sharp end sanded blunt. I paused this procedure just before shed, in each cycle. I'd wait for yours to shed. I would also keep him only on dry newspaper substrate, with humidity at 65%, or better, measured within 6 inches of the floor. Mine had water to soak in, during the treatment, and used it. The soaking water was pH adjusted to pH 5.0, using vinegar, AND a pH test kit.
` Today, two years later, he has only one scale that is a problem. It grows a thready looking fungus, or bacteria, under it. I kill it with Isopropyl alcohol, then peroxide, then Neosporin. It comes back smaller, each time. Eventually, I'll kill it, but that one scale will never be the same. Note: When you use alcohol, use small amounts, and keep it well away from the snake's head. This is very important.
` Interestingly, this adolescent Yellow was being forced to kill large rats, in the water. He was being handled with welder's gloves, only. He was being overfed horribly, and has a tiny head, and is huge, as a result. I poked, prodded and insulted him every day. As a result of that, he is now very tame, and calm. He eats frozen thawed food, and will take it from your hand. But, if you get him near any warm blooded animal ( except humans ) he gets angry, and very aggressive toward that animal.

` Besides all that other stuff, it cost me $50 bucks to rescue him. Hell, I was looking for a female, at that time. I just couldn't leave him there. If his owner hadn't come down to $50, I was going to cold-cock him, and steal the snake!!
`
` Here's a recent picture of him. He likes to eat upside down.

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Thanks very much for the reply. I will hopefully be able to do the same with this guy. One thing I have heard from alot of people, is that when a snake requires constant care to get back to health, it almost always makes them into better "pets". I am hoping that is what happens with this guy. Even now he is very calm, and doesnt get agetated even when I touch the infected scales.

Thanks again for the information. I will try and get a picture or two of him now, and maybe I can see if theres any improvements over the next few weeks.
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Billy
Reptile World
http://www.reptile-world.net

Billy,
I would just use the Neosporin once a day and remove any water container large enough for him to enter. If he is allowed to soak it will just prolong the recovery. But as Rich said, keep the humidity high in the air. Is the blister discharge clear or opaque. If it is thick and opaque, systemic antibiotics will probably be needed. If clear, a dry cage and neosporin will probably work, and most will be gone with the next shed. Is he currently feeding? Thanks,

Kelly