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HELP!! Belly infection spreading, bloody, swelled scales on a Ball Python!

stevodod Mar 17, 2005 08:38 PM

Hey,

On a chance, I purchased a really nice looking wild caught ball python this fall. After a long bout with ticks, she now has developed a skin infection on her belly. It started out with a few belly scales swelling with clear fluid, now it is getting on her dorsal scales as well. The scales are bloody and frail, and peel. I've given betadine baths, raised temps, used peroxide, and applied SSD ointment, but it just seems to be getting worse. I don't want to drop a few hundred at the vet to save a $60 snake, can anyone reccomend what antibiotic (if any) to administer and where to purchase it? I've given shots, assist-fed, and done quite a bit of home vet remedies for my snakes, but I can't shake this one!

Please help!

Steve

Here is a pic!

Replies (6)

joeysgreen Mar 18, 2005 02:59 AM

Whether this snake is a pet or considered stock in a business, you incurred responsibility for it's care when you bought it, for whatever price.

You tried the home remedies. You've done what you can to save money and help your snake. It hasn't worked in this case. You now have two options. Continue with plan A and watch your snake deteriorate or plan B, cut your losses and bring the snake to the vet so that proper treatment can begin. If money is the only concern (like a pet store for instance) then it will be cheaper and more humane to have the snake euthanatized.

I've said this a million times on these forums, take your animal to the vet. I wouldn't be doing you a favor if I said anything otherwise.

As far as reasoning goes, from the picture and your description here is my opinion on what has happened and what needs to be done. Keep in mind that I havn't seen the animal and only a vet can diagnose pathology.
My first thoughts is that the many, many parasitic bites took a toll on your snakes skin; a very important part of your snakes immune system. Because this barrier is broken and weak it is now permeable to bacteria fungus and infection sets in. Already taxed with the stress of importation the snake puts on a weak battle and the infection soon enters the blood stream spreading all around the body. What you can see has spread, dramatically according to the pictures. What you can't see is the growth of bacteria withen your snake and the subsequent colonization in the bladder, kidneys, heart, lungs, liver ect.
You are on the right track with assuming that antibiotics are needed however you made a misinformed decision to try and circumvent the proper method of obtaining them (veterinary prescription). After examination your vet may give you an antibiotic (cost considering) at the proper dosage, and of best guess as to which one will work. What your vet would really like to do is preform bloodwork and see just what this infection is doing to your snake. This will give your vet a much better picture on what method of treatment is safest. For example, if your snake is dehydrated and he/she gives you amakacin, your little critter's kidneys are as good as dead. You see, it is not just a matter of giving the drug, it is a matter of predicting what it will do once in the body, where it will go, how it will be metabolized, and how it will eventually be excreted. Another test that can be invaluable is a culture and sensitivity. This is basically taking a sample of the bacteria assumed to be the cause of the infection and testing to see what antibiotics will kill it.

I realize this is a longer post, but I truely hope that I've really helped and any critisism has been constructive.

stevodod Mar 18, 2005 06:40 AM

Hey,

That's cool, Joey. Sometimes you do get a little vet-preachy on here, but you certainly did provide a lot of good reasons for taking the animal to a vet. I didn't consider all those things and may now reconsider.

Thanks for the reply and have a great weekend.

Steve Harrison

joeysgreen Mar 19, 2005 10:31 AM

Your very welcome. I try to watch how I project myself and do understand that many people come looking to these forums for help, not judgement. When I cross the line and sound like a jerk it's probably from dealing with the same problem over and over again; I loose sight that for the original poster, it's often their first and only time with the problem.

For your interest, I work nights at an emergency veterinary clinic. My most frustrating scenerio happens several times weekly and often involves critical cases. Consider a hit by car dog that needs a blood transfusion in the next 10 minutes or the prognosis is zilch. Care in the next 1/2hr can nearly top $1000 and the owner has access to $0 and blames (often verbally attacks) you for charging for services. Humane euthanasia is offered and the owner gets more violent and takes the dog home to die a ruthless and immoral death. Now whether it's thousands of dollars and a dog in clinic, or a hundred dollars and a $10 lizard over the internet I think you can see the frustration involved.

As with your case, I will continue to try and treat every person's dilema individually and not let other, more ignorant people cloud my otherwise good nature.

Now thank you for that wake up call, I hate the word preachy

stevodod Mar 20, 2005 10:33 AM

Hey Joey,

Awful, awful news. My ball python died last night. I was treating this as a skin issue only, with no regard to what was happening inside my snake. She apparently had major issues besides the skin problem going on inside, which I completely disregarded, and now must deal with the guilt of having contributed to her death. I will never again buy a wild caught ball python, I will support local breeders.

When an animal is entrusted into our care, it is out of it's native element, and we must supply all it's needs. When we fail to do so, it's a lack of responsibility on our part.

I will miss my pet and care for my current animals better than ever.

Thanks to Joey for trying to help & educate me.

Thanks, and may God bless,

Steve Harrison

joeysgreen Mar 20, 2005 06:56 PM

np

BallPython13 Mar 18, 2005 11:22 PM

I would do is keep her DRY, what kind of substrate you have have him/her on????????, Is the heat on the bottom of the tank to hot??????????, and first put on snake oil on her belly and then put triple antibiotic ointment on her belly. Scott Glover

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