Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python is just about a year old. when i got him he had a patch of 4-5 scales that were a wrinkled texture on his back. now, some months later he has several patches, some of which are a duller color and some which have wrinkled or creased scales. i took him to the vet and they didn't know what it was. they refered me to Madison to get a biopsy done. i dont have the couple hundred dollars for bloodwork and a biopsy yet so i was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction.

i have full spectrum lighting, 60-80% humidity, the heat gradient is right on, he eats for me every 10 days, sheds are usually in two long pieces, and other than these patches on his back and sides, he is healthy.

has anyone ever seen anything like this before? any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Foxfire

I dont know if this helps any, but one time my bp had a patch that sounds really simular to what you are describing. I put a lotion that I got from the pet store on it every day, and it was gone with the next shed. I dont know what it was, but it does sound like what yours has.

BTW, the lotion was this calcium stuff that you are supposed to use to help hydrate your snake, and help with shedding, and strenghtening scales. When I went back to get some more a few weeks ago, they said they did not know what I was talking about, and they never sold anything like it. (the pet store did move, and the guy that I got it from was fired for a reason unknown to me)

Actually, if anyone has any idea what I am talking about, will you please tell me, cause I would really like to get some more.

I dont know if this helps or not, sorry thats the only info I have.

Are they a dull rust color? Do they look like they sorta lost the shiny 'cover' on them. To me it sounds like it could be some sort of rot or fungal. I would think your vet would recognize that though. If it were me I would give them a touch of either betadine or/and neosporin cream a couple times a week and see if it improves next shed.
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Sonya

I've had oth of my two big ones get that. My male actually had large amounts of it. My new unknown had a couple patches of it. They both cleared up in time. I just figured it was dehydration, so I turned up the humdity, and it was gone with the next shed. I don't know what it really is, but I don't think it's dangerous.
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-Irish
My Snakes

Is there anything he could be rubbing his back on regularly in his enclosure? I had some driftwood in with one of my bp's, and he liked to try to hide under it. The underside was rough, the wood was heavy, and there really wasn't enough room for him, so every time he went underneath it was rubbing some scales along his spine. I got rid of the wood and the problem went away with the next shed. I would recommend getting the biopsy, though, just to make sure it isn't fungal or bacterial.

...sounds like these COULD be sites of fungal infection. You might want to try one or another of the topical OTC anti-fungal creams over a period of 2-4 weeks to see if this will help. Basically you apply them until the snake goes blue into a shed, then stop applying until he sheds. Evaluate sites after the shed.
I'd guess they would look better, but treatment may need to be continued. Fungal skin infections can take months to clear.
Scott J. Michaels DVM

My ball is the same age, and has the same scales! He's about 1 year old, and has "Dry" patches behind his jawline, on his neck. The scales look slightly wrinkled if I look VERY closely, other than that they have a duller appearance than the rest of his scales, which are shiny and supple. I asked about this in another forum, and was told that "some snakes scales just get that way". (looks dubious) I have been putting neosporin on the spot periodically, and keeping him hydrated. He shows no other symptoms, and is a healthy, happy, mild-mannered snake.