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My python scratches constantly

hersheysdad Jul 12, 2003 12:23 PM

My 5' Burmese shed just over a week ago, however she rubs her snout and the length of her body as if she's trying to shed. Being a first-time snake owner, is this normal or should I be concerned of an underlying problem?

Also, she recently went through a series of antibiotic shots for rods. Could it be related to this somehow? Her last shot was 2-3 days before her shed (approx. 12 days ago).

Thank you in advance.

Replies (9)

pythonjosh Jul 12, 2003 12:33 PM

You should be concerned if it gets to causing injuries, rubbing off scales. You should take him out of the cage and see how he reacts to you. And maybe distract him from rubbing his nose. This is a somewhat common reaction to subdermal and intramuscular injections. The best thing you could do is put him in an enclosure that he wouldn't be able to hurt himself in.
Good luck,
Josh

>>My 5' Burmese shed just over a week ago, however she rubs her snout and the length of her body as if she's trying to shed. Being a first-time snake owner, is this normal or should I be concerned of an underlying problem?
>>
>>Also, she recently went through a series of antibiotic shots for rods. Could it be related to this somehow? Her last shot was 2-3 days before her shed (approx. 12 days ago).
>>
>>Thank you in advance.

hersheysdad Jul 12, 2003 12:41 PM

She seems to do it more when I take her out of the cage. She's very tame and very friendly. I handle her often. She occasionally rubs against the glass in her enclosure, but never too aggressively. I got concerned last night; she was rubbing against our brick hearth, however she hasn't lost any scales yet.

pythonjosh Jul 12, 2003 01:08 PM

All you should worry about is physical injury. That is a mild reaction to medication, which she will get over. And if she does it more when you take her out, leave her in the cage for a while. Just anything to get her to avoid rubbing.
Josh

>>She seems to do it more when I take her out of the cage. She's very tame and very friendly. I handle her often. She occasionally rubs against the glass in her enclosure, but never too aggressively. I got concerned last night; she was rubbing against our brick hearth, however she hasn't lost any scales yet.

hersheysdad Jul 12, 2003 01:19 PM

She also has discoloration in several spots due to shots and one damaged spot that is white. Will these go away with shedding or is she scarred?

pythonjosh Jul 12, 2003 09:38 PM

It could be a scar that will remain white for the rest of it's life. Or it could just be a temporary discoloration. Time will tell. What medication was injected? Was it Baytril?
Josh

>>She also has discoloration in several spots due to shots and one damaged spot that is white. Will these go away with shedding or is she scarred?

Hersheysdad Jul 13, 2003 01:24 PM

Yes, Baytril. I have given lots of shots to other anamils, but never given shots to a snake before. I had some mis-information and was told to administer the Baytril just under the skin, and at those spots she has scarring and one white spot (it is getting smaller). I later learned form another vet it is best given in the muscle and have no scarring from those injections.

Dan

pythonjosh Jul 13, 2003 04:09 PM

>>Yes, Baytril. I have given lots of shots to other anamils, but never given shots to a snake before. I had some mis-information and was told to administer the Baytril just under the skin, and at those spots she has scarring and one white spot (it is getting smaller). I later learned form another vet it is best given in the muscle and have no scarring from those injections.
>>
>>Dan

jfmoore Jul 12, 2003 10:36 PM

Hi - You're positive she does not have mites, right?

Hersheysdad Jul 13, 2003 01:34 PM

I wondered if she had mites and almost bought stuff to treat mites unitl I saw a ball in a pet store with mites. These mites were very obvious. Are there a type of mite that is not so easy to see? I have no other herps and she has never come into contact with any since I have had her (Dec. 2002). Also, how much excersise does a berm need?

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