I had my girl out yesterday and noticed a strange red-brown coloration on the ventral scutes in two areas, one near the mid-section and one near the tail. I took a closer look and noticed the edges of the scales in the tail area were actually seared (dried and brown).
This comes as a surprise seeing that she has been in the same setup for two years now with no such incident. The setup is as follows: 40-long, astroturf substrate, 60-watt red light lamp on cool side (low 80's, day and night), "Cobra" brand heat pad with 40-watt light above (ground temp high 80's) which is turned off at night (the pad and 40 watt light, that is). Humidity is around 50%. Thermometers on both sides, checked regularly. Hide boxes on both sides.
She has grown some over the last two years and her hot hide box has become a more snug fit and is the one she is most comfortable in. The weather here in chicago has been warmer over the last few days and the hot side may have gotten a bit too hot. Her dedication to her snug hide must be immense, for instead of moving to the cool side she stayed on the heat pad under the snug hide and was burnt.
My question is whether there is any risk of infection. The burns are very mild and she has not been exposed to any excess moisture (soaking, misting) since I noticed them. Will she shed them off in her next shed, or is this a trip to the vet?
Please let me know what you think
Thanks a million
